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Brooks Swift vs. Swallow: Which one for you?

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View Poll Results: Brooks Swift or Brooks Swallow: Which one if price is not a factor?
I've tried them both - I say Swallow.
4
9.52%
I've tried them both - I say Swift.
4
9.52%
I've ridden a Brooks - I say Swallow.
5
11.90%
I've ridden a Brooks - I say Swift.
11
26.19%
I haven't ridden a Brooks - I still say Swallow.
5
11.90%
I haven't ridden a Brooks - I still say Swift.
5
11.90%
NEITHER - for Brooks naysayers.
8
19.05%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

Brooks Swift vs. Swallow: Which one for you?

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Old 07-14-07 | 07:38 PM
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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.)
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Old 07-14-07 | 07:46 PM
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If price wasn't a factor I would try a Swallow just because the rails are longer. I have a Swift and love it.
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Old 07-14-07 | 08:34 PM
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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.
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Old 07-14-07 | 09:25 PM
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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.
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Old 07-14-07 | 09:27 PM
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I voted for the swallow. I think its sleek design and honey color look damn nice and vintage
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Old 07-15-07 | 05:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Jay Andriot
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 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.
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Old 07-15-07 | 05:54 AM
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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?
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Old 07-15-07 | 08:34 AM
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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.
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Old 07-15-07 | 09:17 AM
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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.
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Old 07-15-07 | 10:07 AM
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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.
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Old 07-15-07 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by roadfix
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.
Yes, I really must quit telling everyone what great work you do....
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Old 07-15-07 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by 55/Rad
Yes, I really must quit telling everyone what great work you do....

I thought the profile on your saddle came out nicer than on my Swift.
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Old 07-15-07 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 55/Rad
Yes, I really must quit telling everyone what great work you do....
I agree ... especially given RoadFix no longer does this for folks who are willing to pay $$ !!
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Old 07-15-07 | 10:50 AM
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price no factor??? another SLR Carbon....but I'm also one of those naysayers on the poll...
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Old 07-15-07 | 06:21 PM
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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.
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Old 07-15-07 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by FlashBazbo
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...
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Old 07-15-07 | 06:34 PM
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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.
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Old 07-16-07 | 04:31 PM
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Swift v. Swallow

Originally Posted by Hocam
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.
The new 'Swallow' saddles have about 5mm. more setback than the later versions of the 'Swift, and about 20mm. more than the earlier versions.
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Old 07-16-07 | 04:48 PM
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Awesome, where did you hear this from?
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