Stuff We Love: Brooks Saddles

Everyone has a million opinions about saddles, it's just a fact. Very few people feel indifferent about what they choose to perch on because it can make a huge difference in your comfort while riding. This one is great, that one is the worst thing ever, etc, etc. Your butt ultimately makes the final call, but seeing as most of us here at Bicycle Revolutions ride a lot and have all found that Brooks saddles rule, there must be something to it right? Everyone says they're great and turns out it's pretty true, but here's why.
Brooks saddles come in tons of shapes and styles but the basic thing that makes them feel like they were made just for your butt is the same across the board; they're made from super tough leather and riveted onto a sturdy metal frame. Effectively, they're really hard leather butt hammocks that break in to fit your body perfectly. The leather itself gives the saddles a bit of spring so you get a less jostled, and with a little care they can last for a seriously long time. The leather is really hard at first, but Brooks claims after 100 miles of riding they're broken in. Not a bad price to pay for something that ends up feeling like it was custom made. Personally I didn't feel like it needed to break it in at all to be comfortable. They definitely do get nicer with miles on them, but my brand new out of the box Brooks saddles have already felt better than any of the other women's saddles I've tried. However, I know this isn't typical so I very professionally interviewed my fellow shop workers Varun and Aaron whilst leaning on a trash can/being a trash basketball obstacle.

Varun has an older model with thicker leather and he said his took considerably longer than the standard 100 miles to fully break in. While admittedly that kind of sucked, he likes it a lot and puts it on whatever bike he's going to be riding for a long distance because now that it's broken in it's the most comfortable saddle he has. He rations it almost. Aaron has a Brooks Professional on his commuter bike and his took about 40 miles to fully break in. He also will switch it onto any other bike he's planning on using for a long ride, 100 miles is pretty serious and the Brooks is the best. I have a Brooks B17 S on my cross bike which is both my everyday commuter and the bike I use for long rides. My only complaint is I wish I'd bought it sooner, it's possible that saddle has made me like my bike more.

They're an investment for sure, but totally worth it as far as we're all concerned.

(Pictured top - Swallow in Antique Brown with chrome rails $240 & B17 Standard in Honey $130. Bottom - My B17 S in Black $130)

Brooks Cambium Saddles Are Here!

Yes, you read that correctly, the latest in saddle technology from Brooks has arrived! The Cambium, come check them out today. Production is very limited so if you want one, act fast. $160. Men's and women's in natural and slate.

Brooks Select Saddles are here!

As huge fans of the superior durability and comfort of the legendary Brooks saddles, we are pleased to be stocking the newest line in Brooks' range - the Select. The Select line of saddles features vegetable tanned leather which Brooks hand-picks from cattle raised at a natural pace on certified organic farms. These saddles boast Brooks' toughest hides and are recommended for high mileage cyclists. All the saddles in the Select line have hand hammered copper rivets.

You can read more about these saddles, other Brooks offerings, and the rich heritage of this fantastic company, here: http://www.brooksengland.com/

We are currently stocking some of our favorite models in this new variation: the B17 (men's and women's), the Flyer (men's and women's), and the B15 Swallow.

Brooks x Vans Team Pro Saddle!

So we have them in stock! Only three available to us, the boss (me) gets first dibs and the other two might already be sold. Will update later and let you know if there are any up for grabs, but at the very least come by and check it out. These bad boys are going for $320.

Update 12/16: 1, yes ONE, is still available!

Update 12/21: All Sold Out...

New Goodies From Brooks

Still sifting through photos from the Inter-Bike trade show. Here are some lovely new offerings from Brooks that we will be receiving in a few weeks hopefully.

Candy colored Colt saddles, they are also doing an assortment of B-17's in colors this year.

Here are the "Organic Leather" saddles, new vegetable oil treatment for the saddles. They definitely have a unique look, wonder if they will feel any different?

Here is a close shot of the Navy B-17, very classy!

So excited to be getting in the newest goodies, keep posted for a mid november arrival. If you can imagine how big my Brooks order is this year, so many new and improved products, I had to get at least one of each...

Hannah's Pretty Pink Pacer

Surly Pacer, custom powder coated in Light Pink! We love doing custom and semi-custom Surlys, and this is why. You take something already great and make it AWESOME!

Meghan and Gary's new roommate and fellow Rhode Island defector Hannah needed a new roadie and the Pacer was just what she was looking for. A few minor alterations and wahlah, fancy new "custom" road bike.

Our man Jason hooked up the pink powder. Upgraded to some rugged Conti Ultra Gator Hardshell tires and a Brooks Professional "S" in honey. Topped off with some "natural cork" tape and MKS pedals and clips, VO straps.

Almost looks too good to let this one go! I know I have enough pretty bikes already, but...

Many Happy Miles Hannah!

My All-City Big Block

I always try to build up new frames to ride so that I can give real feedback and show some of non-stock options for custom builds. The All-City Big Block was long overdue for some miles.

I got this one built up just in time for the Rocky 8 race and figured it would be a perfect road test for this street machine.

Choosing some new but classically designed components and using some old faithful wheels to get it rolling.

The IRD Defiant crankset is a perfect nod to the Campy Nuovo Record Pista cranks, solid clean and simple at an affordable price ($160). For comfort and convenience I went with the Eastern PC platform pedal with some RE Load Lockdown Jawns. The Thickslick ($30) tire is by Freedom, WTB's new urban brand, which proved to be a great tire for the day. Great traction and super puncture and pinch resistance.

The Selle Italia Turbo saddle ($60) was super comfy and durable despite all of the rain and thrashing throughout the day. The Velo-Orange seatpost looks great and provides a bit more set back to get you over the back wheel a little more for power in the saddle.

Keeping in the theme of shiny new parts I have the Velo-Orange sealed bearing headset, VO 17 degree Stem and Cromo Deda Velocita handlebars.

The bike is a perfect urban fixed gear with enough versatility to keep you rolling through the winter on some cross tires as well as racing all summer at the velodrome.

I am going to be lacing up some new wheels just for this bike as I have already swapped these onto my new All-City Nature Boy. All-City New Sheriff hubs to Velo-Orange PBP rims, all shiny and silver, I will definitely get some more pics up as soon as I get them done, in my spare time...

Charge Bucket Seats!

Just received our first order of the Charge Bucket Seat. Nice colors and finishes.

Based on the classic Turbo saddle with comfort and style.

Pink, Brown, Green, White, Orange, Black.

All for only $25 each.

Riveting!

If you have ever ridden a Brooks saddle and broken one in, you know how lovely it is to have a custom fitted saddle to your very own butt. Sometimes things go south and you snap a rail on your beloved friend. You have been through so much together, you don't want to give up on it now. The beauty of the Brooks is the repairability. As demonstrated above, with a new rail, rivets and a hammer you can reincarnate your broken saddle. I loved my first Professional, after I broke it in, until the rail snapped. I repaired it and it lives again on my new Affinity LoPro!

Speaking of Saddles...

Forgot I had this one hanging out. Brooks did a series on limited edition saddles for different cities. This one is to commemorate the Polo World Championships here in Philly this summer. Special Red Leather, embossed and numbered edition.

Have a Seat?

So if you are looking for a saddle to spruce up your ride for spring, yeah it's coming soon I promise, we have a butt load, literally. In addition to the variety that we have everyday. We have dozens of fancy new options for your ass.

The Kashimax AX-4A Aero Saddle in some lovely finishes for $180.

A little bit fancy, but for a special project, PERFECT!

The San Marco Concor, classic italian racing saddle in World Champ colors in addition to black white and brown. For $160

For the hard asses among you, the Kashimax AMX-C Aero plastic saddle in six fun colors for $90.

And we have had these before, but a fun affordable saddle from Soma. The Ensho saddle in 7 sparkly glitter colors; Purple, Green, Red, Blue, Gold as well as Black and Orange. For $60.

So the only problem you should have, is deciding which one you need.