Brooks Swift Saddle
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Southwest of Minneapolis
Bikes: Cenelli,Schwinn, Trek, Univega
Brooks Swift Saddle
I will be 67 this year, and decided to start riding my bike again after 5 years of not riding. I decided to buy a new saddle, even though I have about a dozen laying around of different types.
I heard so many good things about the Brooks saddle, that I decided to invest in a Swift. I always
mounted my saddles level with the top tube, and that would be comfortable for me, but with the
Brooks, I have to mount it at least 5 to 10 degrees tipped back, if I set it level, I slide forward toward the handle bars. I was wondering if other people have experienced this on a Brooks saddle.
I heard so many good things about the Brooks saddle, that I decided to invest in a Swift. I always
mounted my saddles level with the top tube, and that would be comfortable for me, but with the
Brooks, I have to mount it at least 5 to 10 degrees tipped back, if I set it level, I slide forward toward the handle bars. I was wondering if other people have experienced this on a Brooks saddle.
#2
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 14
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From: Southwest of Minneapolis
Bikes: Cenelli,Schwinn, Trek, Univega
oops! I apologize, I posted a duplicate. I was using my laptop in a school, and was told it was a unauthorized website, and would't send it. The schools WIFI is strict, so I didn't realize the thread was summitted. I should have checked more closely.
#5
All my Brooks saddles, regardless of model, tilt up at the nose. .....otherwise, I would slide forward. This is especially evident when I take my hands off the handlebars to sit up straight to stretch my back while riding.
#6
Senior Member




Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,413
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From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 619
Likes: 35
From: The Cotswolds, England
Bikes: Giant Revolt 2. Velo Orange Pass Hunter flat bar
I bought a Brooks Swift on the basis that people rave about the comfort factor, but also because I liked the looks and tradition.
After my initial excitement at 'buying a new piece of kit', I rationalised and thought back to some advice I was once given by an elderly cyclist - namely, that even with the most comfortable saddle, your rear will hurt once your legs have become too tired to support your weight properly (yes, he did mean support your weight while seated).
I tried it on both my Tommasini and Pinarello and think it looks just plain wrong. Maybe on a sturdy tourer, a stylish fixie, or a 3-speed English bike, but otherwise I think Brooks are a very successfully marketed anachronism.
After my initial excitement at 'buying a new piece of kit', I rationalised and thought back to some advice I was once given by an elderly cyclist - namely, that even with the most comfortable saddle, your rear will hurt once your legs have become too tired to support your weight properly (yes, he did mean support your weight while seated).
I tried it on both my Tommasini and Pinarello and think it looks just plain wrong. Maybe on a sturdy tourer, a stylish fixie, or a 3-speed English bike, but otherwise I think Brooks are a very successfully marketed anachronism.
#10
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Southwest of Minneapolis
Bikes: Cenelli,Schwinn, Trek, Univega
I have been using the Brooks Swift for several weeks now, I have yet to make up my mind about it. I have it on my bike trainer, and have been riding 30 to 45 minutes, and my butt feels like I have ridden a century, I have been riding five days a week, trying to get my weight down from
205 at 6' tall to a respectable weight. I didn't realize that I was in such bad shape. I thought, I
could jump back on the bike after a number of years of not not riding, and spin pretty well, but,
my mind said go, my body said no. I still have time before spring gets here in MN, to get my weight down, and try to break that saddle in, if thats possible, but it sure looks nice.
205 at 6' tall to a respectable weight. I didn't realize that I was in such bad shape. I thought, I
could jump back on the bike after a number of years of not not riding, and spin pretty well, but,
my mind said go, my body said no. I still have time before spring gets here in MN, to get my weight down, and try to break that saddle in, if thats possible, but it sure looks nice.
#11
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 44
From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
laplander, I have no idea whether the Brooks will turn out to be a good saddle for you as it is for many people, but I do know that it is likely that your butt would be hurting no matter what saddle you were using after several years off the bike.
#12
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: La Crosse WI
Bikes: Fisher MTB
I ride a Brooks Flyer Special after trying half a dozen others. Comfortable right out of the box and I experience zero discomfort on the first rides of the year (post snow WI). I ride a steel Long Haul Trucker and that smooths the ride also.
I'm 61 now and have been re-riding for four years.
I'm 61 now and have been re-riding for four years.
#14
Spin Meister
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 74
From: California, USA
Bikes: Trek Émonda, 1961 Follis (French) road bike (I'm the original owner), a fixie, a mountain bike, etc.
"I have been riding five days a week, trying to get my weight down from 205 at 6' tall to a respectable weight."
Is all that riding working? I have to play the contrarian and suggest exercise won't help you lose weight, at least not in the long run. Generally, exercise has one reasonably immediate effect: it makes us hungry. (The best way to lose weight seems to be to cut down on sweets and starches, which works with or without exercise.)
Meanwhile, my Brooks B17 is tilted up slightly.
Is all that riding working? I have to play the contrarian and suggest exercise won't help you lose weight, at least not in the long run. Generally, exercise has one reasonably immediate effect: it makes us hungry. (The best way to lose weight seems to be to cut down on sweets and starches, which works with or without exercise.)
Meanwhile, my Brooks B17 is tilted up slightly.
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This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.






