MikeDee wrote:blackbike wrote:I can't see the point of Brooks saddles.
They are expensive and need breaking in.
Technology has provided us with cheaper, better quality saddles which last for ages and don't need breaking in.
Saddles have not been left behind in the vast improvement in quality of cycling gear over the last few decades.
To me Brooks saddles are a retro nostalgia item. I'm pleased they are still going but they are not for me.
A lot of folk claim that, once broken in, they are the most comfortable saddles. In my case, not.
I will in part depend on what Brooks model you used and for what application.
The Swift is very much a racing saddle and is better suited to a lower stretched out position. The B17 standard is much better for more upright riding; the Pro is somewhere in between. The Swallow is more like a B17 Narrow than a Swift - it has a much flatter top, which can reduce perineum pressure.
For those who get perineum trouble, the Imperial with a central cutout seems to help many.
I've used Brooks extensively. I've found the B17 a very comfy all rounder with a good wide flat area to sit on; the Swift is ok, but has only one sweet spot (it's tricky to set up) and is prone to stretching due to less leather; the Pro is a dog to break in, but is now as comfy as the B17.