Brooks Swift vs. Swallow: Which one for you?
 

If price is not a factor, which do you choose -- Brooks Swift or Brooks Swallow?

I'm thinking of going Brooks for my Pedal Force ZX3 project. (And, while leather bar wrap is completely impractical, I'm tempted to go with the matching leather wrap -- at least for a little while.)

If price wasn't a factor I would try a Swallow just because the rails are longer. I have a Swift and love it.

Go for the Swallow if you are a more aggressive rider. I'd like to try one, but for $100 less, I'm going to try the Swift first to see how it works on a new Single Speed build.

I ride a Swift on my Colnago and have one on order for the Pedal Force Build. The Swallow is only 10 grams lighter, which is not saying much because they are both heavy. I wish I could find a light saddle that was as comfortable but I don't think there is one out there.

I voted for the swallow. I think its sleek design and honey color look damn nice and vintage

I figure I'll save the 140g extra that a Brooks costs me somewhere else on the bike. I'm still easily talking a sub-16 lb. bike. My theory is that, if my backside is in pain, I'll likely be a slower rider in the last half of a race.

So . . . the Swallow is 10g lighter, 8mm longer, nickel rivets rather than copper. But the same width. So, should the two saddles provide comparable comfort?

Go with the Swift and chop it. It will look as cool as a Swallow, be lighter, and you'll have some extra cabbage for other things.

Yes, but I'm accustomed to a saddle that's 1/2" longer than the Swallow. The Swift is another 1/3" shorter still. I'm a little concerned about how short the Swift is, front-to-back.

If price was no object I'd get the Swallow. That way, I don't have to spend time chopping saddles to make them almost look like one. :p :D

Yes, I really must quit telling everyone what great work you do....:D

:D
I thought the profile on your saddle came out nicer than on my Swift. :D

I agree ... especially given RoadFix no longer does this for folks who are willing to pay $$ !! ;)

price no factor??? another SLR Carbon....but I'm also one of those naysayers on the poll...

Those who have ridden a Brooks say, "Swift." So the order is in! (It looks cooler anyway with the big brass rivets.)

Incidentally, I've been there, done that, with the 99g SLR carbon. Either I don't have nearly enough fat on my backside for that saddle or I just don't enjoy suffering nearly enough.

I'm 6'2" and weigh 145lbs....I hardly suffer on the SLR...it just fits...

Can anyone measure the length of the rails on their swift/swallow? I'd like to know if there is infact a difference, and which one would allow more setback.

Swift v. Swallow
 

The new 'Swallow' saddles have about 5mm. more setback than the later versions of the 'Swift, and about 20mm. more than the earlier versions.

Awesome, where did you hear this from?