Two Wheel Blogs

Several months ago I installed the B-17 limited edition "Racing Green" hand riveted leather saddle on my bike. As some of you already know, Brooks has been making saddles like this for longer than any of us have been around, they are "old school", and they are much heavier than just about anything out there that someone would consider using on a high end bike.

So why would I put one on my bike? I like the idea of using something that has worked well since long before anyone had the ludicrous idea of saving weight where your important parts spend a lot of time. It is a thing of beauty, and it is like sitting on a leather SADDLE, not some plastic pin head.

Some (self included) worried that it would not work well on a rigid MTB...what with all the bumping, thrashing, and water....that leather will get trashed in short order, and the rails will break (no padding other than the leather itself). Well I am here today to report that I have ridden this thing for several months, and spared it nothing. I have ridden in down pouring rain, day, night, commuting, trails, some tech stuff, even some fairly hairy fast runs down things like Chubb, Castlewood, and others like this, and other than some unique squeaking that only comes from leather, this saddle has not complained once.

It is developing a slight patina, but basically looks better than the day it was new.

Looking for a "new" saddle? I suggest giving one of these a try. They are more comfortable than anything I know, they are priced right, and what is that weight gonna hurt really?...doing any hill climbs this year?

As for me, I am sold. I am going to order another one for my UCI-illegal (based on weight) single speed road bike as soon as I save up a few more bucks.

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