Hey I use a Cardiff too. It's my first leather saddle and after a lot of reading around on these forums I've seen a lot of comments that it's inferior to a Brooks. What do you say to that seeing as how you love it so much?

I think it has a lot to do with what you're exposed to first. I've always known about Brooks and Ideale saddles; however, I never heard of Cardiff until last year. I suppose if I would've heard of Cardiff first I might be more brand loyal towards them; however, every Brooks saddle I've come across have always been first rate. To my line of thinking why mess with success? I suppose if I had another bike that needed a cheaper saddle on it, I may just be tempted by a Cardiff or a Velo-Orange.

That makes sense. I was only shown the Cardiff at the store I was at and the guy talked it up and barely even mentioned the Brooks. So once I bought the Cardiff and recently joined this website and read all about Brooks; I was sorely dissapointed

Specialized Avatar Gel size 143. No chaffing and it flexes well.

Specialized BG Ladies Lithia - 155. It's on my road bike. It's good for me. I like it. I had a Brooks B67 for a short time on a bike I sold. I would like to try one again and really put the time in on it now that I have a backup saddle that I like. I have been in the horse saddle and leatherworking business my whole life so a Brooks seems more natural and appealing to me. First, though, I need to pick my touring bike.

Brooks B 17 special for me. Cost only $89 last summer, just before the prices went up. whew. Rode 6 days straight on a 3 week tour in the summer with no discomfort at all, where my Terry liberator would've killed me by the 4th day.

Specialized Avatar 143. Harder on the sit bones than a leather saddle, but no perineal pressure. Once you get some cycling callouses (tough butt), it's a great saddle.

Comfy from day one or me.

13_MonGapC&O 09_033.jpg

Brooks Team Professional. I've owned several. Some were destroyed in a fire while I wore one out.

B17 standard works for me. In my case, I found saddles with too much padding cause numbness on long rides.

I have four bikes and right now I have eight saddles. Never found a perfect fit for me so I just ride one until I don't like it anymore and change it out. My last long tour was with a Brooks Pro which did okay after a month with it. That saddle is still on the Burley which I seldom ride around home.

Selle An-Atomica Titanico.

Leather is pliable and waterproof, so it requires no break-in period or treatments, unlike a Brooks. I'd only used plastic and foam seat before I started touring and found that they were good if I was doing less than 50 miles a day. Now I can ride centuries day after day after day on the Selle An-Atomica. Also, I have several inches of saddle to bar drop on my touring bike and find the An-Atomica works well if I have it nose down a smidge.

Had to re-read my post. I am impressed but never expressed "love" for the saddle. I don't now what to say about the negative comments since I don't know what the complaints are. Why were you disappointed? The only somewhat negative thing I have heard about them is from Rivbike. They say it breaks in faster than a Brooks which could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. This is probably why it comes pre-laced. Again, the main reason I got it was because of the additional setback (but it does look great).

I have a Brooks B-17 Narrow on my touring bike and on my 'slop' bike (a Stumpjumper hardtail), a Brooks Pro on my commuting bike, a Selle Italia Flite on my Moots and on my Stumpjumper FSR.

I can definately tell a difference between the Brooks saddles with the B-17N being just a little more comfortable than the Pro. And the plastic saddles are definately less comfortable but they work better on a mountain bike then the Brooks...can't get a Brooks back far enough.

I have tried tons of saddles over the years. I had finally settled on Brooks B17 Champion Special until I acquired a Fizik Vitesse in a swap. The Vitesse is a light saddle (250 g w/ ti rails version) but wider than most racing saddles. Anyway, the Vitesse is more comfortable (for me) than the B17, but weighs less than half as much. You can often find them for sale on eBay for good prices, eg less than $30. I've since put Vitesse saddles on my 4 road bikes.

I don't know if I'm really disappointed. It's my first leather saddle and I don't think it's as comfortable as I thought it would be. I've ridden it atleast 150+ miles and it might still be a little longer before it breaks in. Oh well, it's better than the stock saddle my bike came with.

Brooks B-17...took about 1000 miles to really get comfy. Now I don't even know it's there.

Thousands of miles on my Selle An-Atomica. Oh it's black so it's more comfortable.

Avocet Racing One. I like the leather ones the best, but all I can find these days are vinyl. Specifically, I like the ones from the early 90s. I bought my two current ones for five dollars at the local community bike shop.

Brooks B17

The Brooks Champion Flyer which with the springs is perfect for anyone that rides on rail trails or bumpy roads. Mine only too about 200 miles to break in.

If it fits.

Brooks Flyer on my touring bike. Selle An-Atomica on my commuter.

Champion Flyer

Terry Raptor Y (mens). Everyone's butt is different but this one fits me perfectly. I purchased several extra on sale because you never know when something you like will be discontinued.