Six jours

I haven't seen any reviews of these so thought I'd share...

I've always wanted to love Brooks but the "hammock" shape of their saddles doesn't work for me. The VO saddles looked "flatter" in the pics so I ordered one -- the dorky chic Model 5 "Sprung Touring".

The 30 pound (roughly estimated, of course ) package arrived quickly, as is always the case with VO, and the saddle looked decent, though not quite to the quality of Brooks. The rivets, in particular, stand proud, unlike the carefully inletted Brooks rivets. I was worried they might snag on shorts but this has not been the case. The chroming on the rails is thick and shiny and should stand up well. The leather is also very thick and stiffer than you get on a Brooks these days. I also expect it to hold up very well. And the top is indeed much flatter than any Brooks I've seen.

After a thousand miles I am declaring it my new "most comfortable saddle ever", displacing the Selle Anatomica. It broke in nicely after 300 miles or so, with no Proofide or other softeners. It has since held its shape without need for retensioning. The factory installed lacing probably has something to do with it, but I'm sure the thick leather does as well.

Downsides so far: Weight, obviously. No leather saddles are truly light, but all that chromed steel weighs a lot. And while I've gotten used to the rivets, it still strikes me as a sign of low quality. And the hinge at the front of the saddle made a hell of a racket and resisted several types of lubricants. I finally sprayed the daylights out of with Triflow, which seems to have done the trick.

Those are relative niggles, though. Overall highly recommended!

Rowan

Thanks for the review.

VO saddles haven't been on my list of things to investigate, but they are now.

One of the things I like about Model 6 is how the sides are held together with flaps then rivetted. I have always been a bit leary of using lacing on the flaps of Brooks or any other saddles because of what I perceive as potential rub on the insides of my thighs. The flaps appear to be a good solution.

Pity about the weight, though.

But then... it's good to see they are made from good Australian hide! We grow our cattle tough here.

Road Fan

Six Jours, that is a strong recommendation!

I have the Swallow imitation, perhaps its the Model 6. Mine does have flaps that are riveted under the saddle.

I have trouble getting comfortable on it. It's the same width as my previous faves, the Specialized Alias and Toupe in 143 mm, and shares teh excellent narrow horn, essentially eliminating thigh rubbing. The width is right for my sitbones, as far as providing a flat, properly sized platform. What I don't like is that the leather, which is quite thick (Rowan, you do grow them strong in Oz), seems to be sagging and having me sit on the cantle plate rather than a smooth leather hammock. I get that hammock effect from my Selle Anatomica when it's all tweaked right, and from my old soft Brooks Pro. My B17N Imperial is approaching that feel, as well. The V-O seems like it will need a lot of stretching and screw tightening before it stabilizes. I'm reluctant to tighten it up as much as it might need, since I see this as reducing its value. Silly, perhaps, but that's where my thinking is right now.

Six jours

Interesting, Road Fan. I am coming to the opinion that leather saddles are a gamble, in that sometimes the leather will be perfect and other times it will not. That's the only way I can explain why folks can have such different results with seemingly identical saddles. I simply cannot imagine that massive chunk of leather ever sagging -- I am not convinced the frame is even necessary!

Rowan, I am considering the Model 6 for my randonneuring bike, which has the bars considerably lower than the seat. The Model 5 is on my British style fixed wheel touring bike, and is about level with the bars. Which ever one of us tries it first should report back...

Road Fan

So reality is that my massive chunk of leather is in fact sagging, and I only perch 180 lb on it.

Six jours

Your feelings get hurt much too easily.

illwafer

six jours, can you tell if the springs are making a big difference? do you think your review would change if it were springless?

Six jours

The springs do make a difference. It's the first sprung saddle I've ever used, so wasn't sure what to expect, but it seems to absorb a significant portion of the bigger hits, like potholes. Doesn't seem to make a difference to road vibration, etc., and doesn't bounce around with my pedal strokes like some of the rear suspension on mountain bikes. But it's not a huge thing, and I'm sure I'd be happy without the springs too -- especially with the 27mm tubulars on the bike...

Road Fan

Been riding my Model 6, the faux Swallow, a bit more lately. I think the problem I'm having with my sitbones resting on the cantle plate is based on the narrowness of the saddle. It's 150 mm, same as a B17N. That's pretty darn narrow for me. it works when I get deep into the drops and my whole torso and pelvis rotate forward, but not when I'm on the tops (only 2 cm below saddle). In that position I've had a Selle Anatomica work pretty well. Maybe it's a great saddle, and just not suited to my position and anatomy.

Andrey

I just started riding a Zimbale saddle. It looks like a similar version of a VeloOrange saddle a la Swallow. My handlebar is set up about 2' lower that the saddle and so far it has been very comfortable. I am impressed with the quality of the saddle so far. I had to return a Brooks B-17 narrow a couple of years ago, because it was too narrow for me and I ended up with a regular B-17 that is on my touring bike and it has been fine. Zimbale works better on the bike that has lower handlebars.
I posted a review here:
https://www.velofred.com/product_info...products_id=78

velofred.com

Andrey, once again thank you for your review.

I would like to announce that Zimbale saddles in three different colors (black, honey and brown) will be available on Velofred.com next week. Price $90 + Free Shipping. See you online.

https://www.velofred.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=15&sort=2a&filter_id=52

Rowan

I thought I would revive this thread because I have received a titanium Brooks Swallow for my Merlin that is to become my long-distance bike.

I had my first ride on it today. I was apprehensive because the Swallow is indeed narrower than the B17 that I am used to on my other bikes, but the same width as the Selle San Marco SKN it replaces on the Merlin.

I tweaked it after 6km -- moved all the way back on seat post, and nose moved up -- and it seemed to be just right. I ride with bars level with saddle, and rarely on the drops.

The Swallow is not broken in by any stretch, but I've got a 100km ride on Saturday to help it along.

And wouldn't you read about it... the side flaps are indeed held together underneath with a riveted loop. So the Velo Orange lookalike Brooks is just that... (a gratuitous inclusion to avoid thread hijack).

Six jours

Actually, I had been considering reviving the thread myself: the saddle is still extremely comfortable and I am still very happy with it. It's still hard to keep the squeaking down -- I have to re-oil the hinge every few weeks -- and I discovered (after losing one) that the bolts attaching the springs come from the factory very loose. I replaced them all with stainless nuts with Nylock inserts which should solve the problem. Caveat emptor...