Written by Steven Crawford from United States 4/11/2012

When I started looking into purchasing a new Raleigh Clubman I was thrilled to see it came standard with the Brooks Swift. Finally, I thought, a chance to try out a famous Brooks saddle without going out of my way to shell out the extra cash.

Now I'm riding the Clubman as my daily source of transportation and must applaud Raleigh for including such a premium saddle out of the box. The first hundred miles were rough, but when riding the bike on a daily basis it hardly takes a week to pound that out, and now I'm very comfortable on my Brooks Swift.

It's extremely comfortable, and certainly the most handsome saddle I've ever owned. Five stars to boot.

Written by Paul Buu from Canada 12/13/2011

I was skeptical about the comfort of a leather saddle, being used to the initially "softer" feel of modern padded saddles. As well, I had to go through a large number of saddles before finding one which suited my needs in terms of comfort and performance, which added to my reluctance to give a Brooks saddle a try.
But then I had the chance at my local bike store to see the Swift right next to my usual saddle (Fizik Aliante) and - lo and behold - the two saddles have almost identical profiles. So I decided to give it a try, and installed a Swift on my commuter. I am very happy with my purchase: the saddle is extremely comfortable and looks absolutely fantastic on my bike.

Written by Lance Rutherford from Wales 7/13/2011

Having often wondered what all the fuss is about with Brooks saddles I finally took the plunge and got myself a brown Swift to sit atop a recent touring/commuting bike purchase. Like a previous poster I got a great price from Spa Cycles. However, unlike said poster, the Swift certainly was not comfortable for me from the first mile. In fact, although much more comfortable now, it has taken around 1000 miles for me to be really happy with this saddle. There is no doubt that the Swift is a beautiful saddle but I would warn that it may not be for all users. If you are willing to persist with it it will reward you I'm sure. If you're not willing to put in the potentially less comfortable miles, to get to the sweet level of comfort that Brooks is renowned for, then I'd suggest looking at a 'softer' seat in the Brooks range. I'm now looking forward to this saddle becoming more and more comfortable with each mile travalled but it's been quiet a journey already.

Written by Guillaume de Candolle from Switzerland 5/23/2011

Having decided to install this saddle on my Brompton a month ago, I really thought I would suffer to break it in. I have ridden it for more than 1'000km now and I must say that I was wrong... this saddle has been extremly confortable from the first kilometer! Thanks Brooks for making such wonderful saddles!

Written by Andrew Jackson from UK 3/22/2011

After years of using Selle Italia, about which I have only good things to say, I thought I'd try a Swift on my part new/part old single speed project. Got one at a great price from Spa Cycles and, apart from looking fabulous on the bike, I must say that, from mile 1, it's been as comfortable as any 20 year's use veteran!
Absolutely delighted with it.

Written by Arthur Findley from UK 2/16/2011

More of a general comment on the service received concerning a new saddle that turned out to be defective - the problem was resolved extremely well by Brooks who definitely went "above and beyond" duty's call. Gold Standard!
The replacement saddle has had its maiden run and is perfect.
Very satisified.

Written by Michael Watkins from Canada 7/12/2010

I've been riding on a Brooks saddle since I appropriated my dad's (an expat-Englishman) bike as a teenager over thirty years ago. Our aluminium touring tandem has always been equipped with a Brooks B17 up front and my 26 year old Miyata touring single now sports a brand new Team Pro copper saddle. Both are great saddles and I've found both comfortable right from the start, even the much stiffer Team Pro on my now much older posterior. A firm saddle is the best present you can give to your sit bones.

Written by Joseph Buckley from WDC-USA 7/5/2010

It took me almost no time riding this to realize that it was truly going to live up to the hype. A couple of thousand miles has made no difference.

Written by Lance Dobbs from Georgia, USA 6/30/2010

I owned a Brooks B17 about 5 years ago, and found it to be the most comfortable saddle I've tried. Then I started doing more time trialing, and the tilted nose of the B17 wasn't ideal for that style of riding, so I sold the saddle and went to a tri-specific saddle. 5 years later, I'm back to standard road riding (not time trialing) and I'm experiencing issues with my sciatic nerve. I just purchased a Swift, and I achieved immediate relief with the sciatic nerve pressure. After only 70 miles, the saddle is feeling very comfortable, and I'm certain it will continue to become more and more comfrotable as time passes on. Once again, I'm glad to be riding a Brooks, and have talked several other riders over the years into joining "the club". Truly a legendary product !

Written by Ken Petrick from USA 5/4/2010

I wrestled with the idea of trying a Brooks for a long time, I should have gotten one a long time ago. It has been the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden at every mile after mile #1. The most difficult part of breaking in a Brooks saddle is openning the tin of Proofide!

Written by Mark Finch from US of A 5/2/2010

My Brooks Professional was a bit of a splurge for me in 1970 when I was a college student -- if memory serves, it was about $40 then, which was the same price I had paid for my first (used) 10-speed.

Forty years later I'm still using it, currently on our tandem. Its finish has worn to a soft satin, but the leather is in excellent condition despite having been exposed to all types of weather for decades and receiving only intermittent care in the form of whatever leather treatment was available at the time, usually olive oil and boot polish. The rails are in like-new condition with no pitting, the rivets brighten right up with a little metal polish, and -- most important -- it continues to be the most comfortable saddle I own. When I built up my next bicycle, it absolutely will be equipped with another Brooks, which I fully expect will last for the rest of my life.

Written by Aaron Maughan from USA 5/2/2010

First day on my new Team Pro, and I have to say, this is THE BEST SADDLE I have ever ridden. I think a lot of the stories that put people off from purchasing a saddle like this come from folks 150 lbs and under, because my 200 lbs put this saddle in it's place immediately. 20 miles and I can already see visual clues of break in. For years, fashion has been dictating saddle design, and I was following it. While there is certainly not a saddle out there that can satisfy everyone, I would have to say that, odds are good there's something in the Brooks lineup for about 90% of riders out there. Sure, it's not the lightest saddle in town. Who cares?!? Are you going to sit around and look at your bike, or ride it? If you plan to ride it, then get a Brooks.

Written by Normand Ayotte from USA 9/30/2009

I recently purchased a Swift to put on a fixed gear bike that I ride around town. During the first 500 yards on the saddle I could only think, "Oh my god, I'm glad a kept the receipt." But that changed forever in yard 501. I am astonished at how comfortable this saddle is, and I have ordered another one for my regular road bike. This is a terrific product in every respect. Thank you for making it, and for making it the old fashioned way, too.

Written by Dave Walker from USA 9/29/2009

I am a 52 year old cycling enthusiast who grew up riding on leather saddles (Brooks and Ideale) in the 1970's and have returned to my roots since I started riding regularly again five or six years ago.

I own 2 road bikes, a 2001 Torelli 20th anniversary (hand built by Mondonico) and a 1996 Spectrum Super Ti. Both are fitted with Swift titanium saddles and I would not ride on anything else (having suffered my fair share of urogenital pain riding supposedly good quality leather covered, padded plastic frame saddles). I broke both Swifts in the same way, using the method posted by the late, great Sheldon Brown--baptismal in neatsfoot oil for 60 minutes before ever mounting on the bike (I repeated this at 500 miles on the newer one) and monthly rubdowns with Brooks Proofide to condition and protect the leather.

I think most of my friends believe that I am nuts for having broken in not one, but two leather saddles over the past 5 years but in my view, my bicycles (and my butt!) deserved nothing less. These are the finest saddles money can buy and with the titanium rails, they are well worth the couple of ounces I could save by switching to a plastic or carbon seat.

Thank you Brooks Saddlery, for continuing an age-old tradition. There is far too little hand craftsmanship left in this world but it is still clearly exists at your fine company.

Written by Vicente Santiago from USA 8/7/2009

I've had my Swift over 2 years now. I join the thousands of customers who praise their Brooks Saddles. Mine was more comfortable on day 1 compared to the saddle it replaced. It has molded to my rear very well - I recently rode a 300 mile bike ride in 23 hours and my butt was the only part that didn't hurt afterwards. I just got myself a second honey colored Swift Titanium.

Written by John Ryan from USA 6/22/2009

I received my chrome swift saddle in the mail last week. When i pulled it out of the box i got a big smile on my face as it was truly a thing a beauty. The craftsmanship was impeccable. However I was frightened by how rigid it looked. I rapped on it with my knuckle and it sounded like i was tapping on plywood. It took me 2 days to muster up the courage to even try it out. Suffice it to say when i set out for my first ride i was extremely skeptical. The instant i got on the bike i was relieved to find there was no discomfort whatsoever. I have ridden at least 100 miles the first couple of days and far and away it is the most comfortable saddle i have ever ridden. No breaking in necessary. If it is this comfortable now i can not imagine how comfortable it will be at the end of the season and years from now. Don't get scared off by reviews of 2k mile break in times. I have no tolerance for crotch discomfort and would have returned it in a heartbeat if it didn't work for me. Brooks has made me a customer for life. If you are thinking about taking the plunge just do it. My only complaint is that the saddle didn't come with proofide. If i am paying this much for a saddle i should be given the tools to maintain it.

Written by Tom Albert from USA 6/15/2009

I have ridden Brooks saddles for over 35+ years from the B17 saddle that came on my 74 Raliegh (still own), Brooks Team Pro saddle on my 72 Raliegh comptetion pro (still own), aged Brooks Team Pro on my 1980 Peugeot team bike (forced to return to the team when I left Europe), aged Brooks Team Pro on my 1982 PUCH LUZERN (sold it in 2002), aged Brooks Team Pro on my 2000 Trek Y foil 77 (still own), to the Brook TI Swift on my 2007 Trek 6.9 SSLX Madone (still own). The thing about Brooks saddles is that they get better with age unilke other saddles that are wear out and are never as comfortable as a Brooks to begin with. The concept of a Brooks saddle is that you are litterally sitting on a leather hammock that means you are suspended with zero pressure points. The leather confirms to your anatomy whether you are the 5.5% body fat pro like I was in the mid 70s to the mid 80s or the 54 year old Engineer sitting at a key board all day and only riding 6-9000 km a year depending on work loads.

Written by Lian Huat Ong from Singapore 6/14/2009

I purcashed my first brooks Swift ti on 4th June 2009, within a week plus I purcashed another one. It's really an impressive saddle and the comfort level is surprisingly high. For those who are looking for the 'Saddle', Brooks is the one...

Written by Ted Young-Ing from UK 6/9/2009

I bike pretty much everywhere I go – I can’t even remember the last time I had to use the Tube. I like Brooks stuff because it always works and it always looks great. The bike I’m riding in these photos is my 1952 Holdsworth Zephyr (an old English track bike), and of course I bought a Brooks saddle for it.
When the Barbican bags came out, I thought, “I gotta get one of those!” I like that it’s a modern design that’s also really in tune with the Brooks heritage. It looks cool without being too fussy or technical. And like a saddle, the leather bits take a while to wear in and get comfortable.
It doesn’t quite have enough functionality to be my everyday bag – for that, I use a proper courier bag – but I keep my Barbican bag as my second ‘dressy’ bag. I use it when I need to go somewhere and don’t want to look like such a scrub when I arrive. It comes to a lot of client meetings with me, and because it’s so well-padded, it has also become my default laptop bag. I love it.

Written by Phil Krajewski 9/8/2008

I have had my Brooks Swift for several years now for use on a cyclocross frame for getting me to work and fair distances at the weekend. The break in period was fairly short (the proofride helps) and I find it probably the most comfortable of the numerous saddles I've tried over twenty years of touring and commuting. Also I've always loved the look! Wish they were cheaper! I could get another for one of my other bikes.

Written by MArk Typinski from USA 6/30/2008

I have approx 700 miles on my Imperial to date. I own and ride several other Brooks models, including a Team Pro and two Swifts on other bikes. The Imperial is currently on my cyclocross setup, level with the bars and level across the top surface. I have proofided it lightly twice since I got it.

I am very happy with this saddle. I started it right off doing 50 mile plus rides to see if it does away with the break in period of most other Brooks saddles, and am pleased to report that for me it did. I rated the comfort very high on the first few rides, improving to a 9/10 score after about 100 miles. I have had no perineal pain or numbness on this saddle on rides of up to 100 miles. This is in comparison to a well-broken-in Team Pro, which still gives a little numbing and discomfort after approximately 4 hours into a ride.

I did have to play with the lace tension to achieve the right suface tightness, and have noticed an annoying squeak, seemingly coming from where the skirts flex against the laces as it is ridden. Other than that it has been an install-and-forget piece of bike gear, which is just what I want in a saddle.

I am wondering if a narrow version would have been a better fit for me. I believe that I did request the narrow originally, but wasn't sure when I received my tester which one it was. Now that I see below that a 170 is the standard model I think a narrow version might be even better for me, given that I find a Team Pro so comfortable.

Thanks for allowing me to participate in this testing program, I went into it with an open and critical mind about the saddle to ensure I accurately reported any problems; I just didn't encounter any. The Imperial seems to do just what you would expect of a saddle designed to reduce perineal pressure and shorten break in. If I had purchased it I would be fully satisfied. I would encourage production of a ti model and the honey coloring, I might be tempted to replace my Team Pro!

Written by James and Kari 5/22/2007

Greetings from Spirit Lake, Iowa! 

My wife and I just returned home from the inaugural Tour de Kota. We had a great week, completing 400 plus miles over roads overlooking the Missouri River (part of the route Lewis and Clark explored in their pilgrimage over 200 years ago). We were able to complete the ride in total comfort and style with the Brooks saddles I purchased in preparation for the ride! Swift and Finesse made the entire experience pure cycling pleasure! 

Your fine, leather saddles are of the highest quality and have us totally hooked on Brooks! We also have Brooks saddles on our Serottas. My Ottrott has the Swallow and tool bag. My wife's CRL has another Finesse and saddle purse! 

We just love the comfort, form and function of our Brooks saddles and bags! 

Thanks for a great trip and the promise of many years of quality, bike touring to come! 

Sincerely

James and Kari

Written by Nigel Nicholson from Sweden 5/22/2007

This weekend 16 July I cycled for the first time at the age of 62 Vaettern Round, a 300 km classic annual event around the second largest lake in Sweden. I spent nearly 12 hrs of continuous cycling on a Brooks Swift saddle that I bought earlier this year. I felt absolutely no backside soreness indeed I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute of the ride. I have also strongly recommended to several other rump suffering participants that they buy a Brooks saddle before next year and with 15000 starters I am sure there are some profitable marketing opportunities for you Company.
Thank you for the good butt feelings!

Written by jason evangeli from England 6/27/2011

Hello

Just completed the BHF London to Brighton ride 54miles on my Swift chrome (actually 58 took a wrong turn from the carpark in the morning) and at the end of it the only part of my body that did not hurt was my bottom ! A fantastic bit if kit keep up the good work.
Regards Jason

Written by B. Rooks from Europe 9/17/2009

Hello again and thank you for taking my comments yesterday seriously.
I remember reading the advice you say follows every saddle (except mine apparently) but on your old website as a replication of an old leaflet from around 1920 (I thought). So I didn´t really read it very thoroughly then.
As I read it again today I realize it really is all the advice I should need.
Maybe with some nice drawings showing "ischial tuberosities in this area of saddle" and "it is ok to have the peak of the saddle pointing a bit up" and "this advice also applies to users of spd-type pedals". By the way,I think drawings are cooler than videos, but maybe that´s just me...
But the really important part in my opinion, and in yours too judging by your answer, is that when you can´t get the settings right and get frustrated, there is somewhere to find help and advice a bit more practical than the classic "It adapts to your butt" ;-)
Thank you for listening, I will now go and move my Swift, which seems to work best for me with the nose slightly up, a bit forward and see what happens.

Written by B. Rooks from Europe 9/16/2009

COMMENT > A lot more comfortable than the Arione but still, after 2000+ kms, not in that famous "forgettable" state.
I would really like to see more advice on set-up and how to angle the saddle in the optimum way on your website.
For example, how do you set it up "level" when it isn´t flat? There must be tons of "Brooks knowledge" in your possession. Please share.

REPLY > Fortunately BROOKS Saddles are so personal, that any advice can be nothing more than a subjective opinion. Nevertheless your advice is precious and we will be working o a series of videos to show some of the most common techniques to get the saddle "right". This is what we wrote in the leaflet we send out with every saddle:

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The rider’s comfort will depend to a much greater extent than is generally imagined, upon the correct adjustment of the saddle on the machine. The great thing to bear in mind is that, to obtain comfort and immunity from injurious pressure, the weight must be carried by the broad part of the saddle. The peak should carry as little weight as possible. The nose is mainly intended to ensure a steady and secure seat, which a peakless saddle would not do. By attention to the following hints the correct position should be readily attained.

The saddle should be placed:

1. just sufficiently behind the crank-axle to allow the rider to sit upon the broad part of the saddle, while riding, without being pulled forward on to the peak by the onward thrust of the leg;

2. with the peak positioned just high enough to prevent the rider from slipping forward; this is normally attained when the surface of the saddle is parallel to the ground;

3. just low enough to enable the rider to reach the pedals comfortably all round, without even a suspicion of stretching after them.

------------------------

This is a general guideline, but I have personally experienced that different saddles need different adjustments. Here are my examples:

-the Swallow on my road bike is perfectly parallel to the ground

-the B17 Imperial on my mountain bike is more comfortable if the nose is slightly higher than the back

-the B17 Special on my Brompton folding bike feels perfect when parallel

-the B33 on my city bike is more comfortable if the nose is facing quite a bit upwards

I'm sure my experience is different than someone else's, that's why I thought of publishing comments from different Brooks Cyclists!

Andrea Meneghelli

Marketing Manager

BROOKS ENGLAND LTD.

Written by Jason Koroll from USA 9/1/2009

I have been riding my Swift for about 3 months now. It replaced the Team Pro I had been riding for a couple years. I came across something that told me that the Swift might be more comfortable for me because I have a significant saddle-to-bar drop on my bike. I never actually experienced painful discomfort on the Team Pro, but I did experience numbness of the nether-regions after about 40 miles. After mounting this, I was surprised that there actually was a break-in period with this saddle. My Team Pro was immediately comfortable, where the Swift was painful for the first couple days. No big deal though. Once I got the saddle perfectly dialed in (not too much weight on the hands, not too much nose-up tilt on the saddle) I can ride this thing just about forever without the numbness I had experienced with the Team Pro. Not that there is anything wrong with the Team Pro, i just think I need a bike with less aggressive geometry and s-t-b drop to get the most out of it.

Written by Bill Flesch from USA 6/3/2009

I received my new Brooks Professional saddle recently. Back in my youth (mid 60s), my first "good" bike came with a leather saddle. Comfortable, rode in cutoff jean shorts with no problems. About 12 years ago I returned to cycling. And, with most, was caught up with bicycle weight, so no leather saddle. Instead, I went through a succession of high tech, low weight, etc. saddles. Recently, my 4 yr old reputable Italian manufactured saddle was increasingly uncomfortable. I e-mailed the maker, and the reply said that, essentially, their saddles are good for about 10,000 km, and then the foam breaks down. So I ordered a Brooks. Comfortable right out of the box (first ride with it was 42 miles), and getting better each consecutive ride. And, it will probably last forever. Now, after my experience, one of my riding partners is gearing up to order himself a B17 (he's a bit larger and wider than me, 6'-2", 200 lbs vs my 5'-8", 150 lbs). And yes, while my Brooks weighs 500 grams vs 200 grams, with the additional comfort, I can ride longer and am sure I will drop more than that weight from myself in no time. I should probably be in the 135 - 140 lb range. So, keep up the good work, I'll keep promoting your saddles. You may want to talk with the boys in the pro peloton. With the drop in bicycle weights, where they actually are adding weight to their bicycles to meet the UCI minimums, some smart professionals may want a more comfortable, i.e. Brooks, saddle. After all, your products were good enough for Eddy Merckx, and he wasn't a bad cyclist!

Written by Ron Howe from UK 5/25/2009

I've ridden Brooks saddles since the early 1970s and I love them. As a 15 stone (95Kg) powerlifter who cycles for fitness I need some width to support my large rear end and I've got three Brooks among a collection of about twelve saddles ... the pricey but worthy Honey coloured Swift, a B17 narrow and a B17 standard, which my wife has hijacked. The Swift Titanium is also really light in relative terms. The classic styling of Brooks saddles just looks so good and draws many comments. Although some of the others are comparatively heavy that extra few hundred grams is a sacrifice worth making for the sake of the great comfort and durability you get from a genuine Brooks hide saddle especially on the longer rides. I continuously recommend Brooks saddles. It's just such a shame that the titanium metalwork is so expensive otherwise I would replace my two other others for the titanium special models withe the big rivets..

Written by Mark Taylor 4/22/2009

I had a tried with a Swift titanium for 2000 miles and still not that comfortable. The B17 Standard was extremely comfortable straight from first contact, now all of my bikes have B17's (one has the titanium version).

Written by Jodee 4/21/2009

COMMENT > Received my #39 Green Swallow BFF Ltd Edition. Love it. However after a long ride, the seat seems sunken in especially on the rear right side. That normal? I've only proofide it once. Otherwise it's the most comfortable seat ever. Thanks

REPLY > The Swallow is the most elastic of our saddles, so if you tend to be asymmetrical in your ride, the saddle will shape asymmetically.To a certain degree it is normal. If it shapes too much, you should probably go for a stiffer saddle, like the Team Pro or B17 Narrow. The Swift is somewhere inbetween.

Written by Lou Morace from Switzeland 5/22/2007

I have only Brooks saddles on my cycles, a Swift on my racer, a Pro on my tourer and a B17 on my trekker, I won`t ride anything else. Since changing to these saddles 5 years ago I no longer have back ache and I don`t creep on the saddle in hard efforts anymore, I guess that`s all due to the saddle adjusting itself to my hip contours. I recommend these highly for every type of rider. I love sitting on my cycle now and I've never pedalled better.

Written by John Baldauff from USA 10/8/2010

The B17 Standard is a benchmark for comfortable saddles. I ride the B17 on my road bike. Some laugh at my combination of carbon and leather but after 70 miles in the saddle my butt feels great. For most road riding I would recommend the Team Pro, Swift, or Swallow. While I love my B17, it is a bit wider than I would prefer. I can't wait to get a Swift! For touring or if you are on a budget they B17 really is fine on the road. I use the B17 on my mountain bike as well and it is by far the best mountain saddle I have ever used. It is such a gorgeous and versatile saddle. The best investment you can make on your bike (maybe after a nice set of hoops).

Written by Steve Steve from USA 5/4/2010

I purchased a Swift Titanium over the winter with the intent of breaking it in on my trainer. It took a while to get used to it...maybe 30 minutes. It has since become the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat upon. I am planning on replacing my other saddles with the Swift.

Written by Matt Lynch from Scotland 5/29/2009

i have riden on a lot of saddles in the last 25 years from many manufacturers who all promise comfort and durability, there is only one who can truly live up to that promise, and thats Brooks ,

Written by Gary Passmore from USA 6/8/2008

I FINALLY had the chance to install and ride the Imperial (standard) for my weekly ride and the impression is very, very good.
My test ride consisted of a some varied terrain (hills and sketchy roads) because I wanted to see how the saddle and I would react together on seated climbs and uneven pavement. With total mileage being just over 60 (5 mile warmup and cooldown), the true test came really occurred during the central 50 miles.
Total miles on the saddle has been only this initial ride but the impression left is very good. I've ridden several different Brooks models including the B-17 (standard/standard ti and narrow), Swift, and Champion. Beautiful saddles all but none really worked. The perineum cutout in the Imperial has made a big difference to me. While I achieved a certain level of comfort on the other saddles after break in, the Imperial gave me an immediate level of comfort. Break in will still be very important with this saddle but there will be much more comfort in the nethers than I would have felt before.
I would rate this saddle with an '8' (I'd rate most with an initial '6') bordering on '9'. This could be the saddle to end all saddles for me. If Brooks ever offers it in a Ti version, sign me up...
Break in period has been very short. The cutout is really doing a fine job and numbness has not been a problem at all. The only suggestion I'd give for ALL Brooks saddles is to waterproof all the letter and to offer titanium rails only to save weight.
The leather breaks in quickly but sag is not apparent. I haven't had to tighten the laces at all yet.
I believe the Imperial is a great step forward for Brooks. The only downside I can see is the overall weight but the comfort positive offsets the weight negative.

Written by James Watkins from USA 7/26/2010

I ride a Swift every day to work. Superb comfort and durability. I have gotten so attached to it I bought one of those little leashes to make it harder to steal.

Written by Andrew Fetchina from United States 4/28/2010

Short and sweet, I never think about my saddle when I'm ridding, it's that comfortable. I have a B-17 on my Peugeot, a Flyer on my 3 speed Club bike and a Swift on my Raleigh Clubman. Excellent workmanship and design!

Written by William Poole from Norway 7/30/2009

Q > Hi! Could we now in this Ipod age have White saddles in a range of models (and not just for the very exclusive few!), please.

A > White BROOKS Saddles are much more difficult to make. It takes us more than triple the time than any other colour and lots of leather is wasted in the process. These are the reasons why we can't offer them in the standard range.

Written by vin k from us 9/17/2009

Q > Is there huge differene bw the b17 and swift? I want to get a special swift in blue bc i like the color. is that a bad idea for my single gear not fixed bike?

A > The Swift is slightly  narrower than the B17 Narrow and it's top is more rounded.

Written by Simon Hodges from UK 6/13/2009

Q > I want to get a Brooks racing saddle, and am looking at the Swallow, Swift or Team Pro. I see from your site that the Swallow is the most elastic, the Team Pro the stiffest and the Swift in between. Are these differences a result of the leather you use, or the metal structure underneath? And why is the Swallow so much more expensive than the others? Hope you can help.

R > The stiffness of the saddles is a result of the shape of the leather top. The different metal structures don't influence the stiffness. 

Written by Paolo Spinozzi 1/13/2009

Q > I want to buy a Brooks saddle for my Brompton M2L. I know the B 17 could be the best choice but i'd like to have something a little bit more sportive; can you suggest me wich is the best solution among Swallow, Team Pro and the Swift?

A > Brooks range of racing saddles includes a variety of models for gents and ladies: -the B15 Swallow: our most elastic saddle -the Swift: a slightly stiffer saddle, featuring partially cut-away flaps -the Team Professional and the B17 Narrow, our stiffest saddles -the Team Pro S and its titanium version, the Finesse, for ladies

Written by Delwyn Ching from USA 9/15/2009

I've owned the Swift Titanium for several years and when I bought my new bike a few months ago, I bought another Swift. I keep experimenting with saddles and have tried saddles from Specialized Body Geometry, Selle Italia, Terry and Fizik. I find the Brooks Swift is the most comfortable of them all. Time to sell those other on Ebay,,,again.  For my next road bike I'm just going straight to Brooks Swift or B17.

Written by Lukasz Walerowski from Poland 9/6/2009

Q > Dear Brooks. I've already asked that question in your GETTING IN TOUCH sectioon like 2 months ago, but i never got an answer. Maybe i'll have more chance this way. I have one of yours swift honey saddles. Great saddle, very confortable. Unfortunately during the rain, water got through the raincover and my saddle got partly wet. Once dryed out water left stain. Suddenly my saddle lost some of its great looks with this big, fat, dark stain. Do you have any clou what shoud i do to get rid of it?

A > It happened to me too once. I put some Proofide on the saddle and kept riding it. The colour of our saddles tend to change with time and become more homogeneous.

Written by William Owen 9/5/2008

Counter-Intuitive
"Oh... no way" was my initial reaction when I unpacked my B17 Champion that I had ordered off the net. To say that the saddle was hard would be a significant understatement. I showed it to a friend who described it as "hard as bowling ball". Before even removing the cardboard backing, I found myself checking and hoping for a liberal return policy. "Don't lose the box", I thought, "I'll need it to ship this thing back".
Something, perhaps curiosity made me give it a try. I had ordered the Proofide, and followed the break-in instructions. It remained as hard as ever, and I was certain that I was stuck with this ridiculous, old-school relic.
Well... I am still stuck with it. The initial ride was a shock. I felt no pain. None. Within a few miles, I had forgotten all about my backside and the saddle. It was one of the most counter-intuitive experiences I have ever known.
I now own two Brooks saddles - B17 on my mountain bike and a Swift on my road racer. I may one day sell each of those bikes to upgrade to newer machines, but I can assure you that, while I may sell the bikes with the pedals still on... I will be taking the saddles off and keeping them for as long as I am riding bicycles. These days, the miles pile up, I get tired, my hands and shoulders and legs my hurt... but my backside is never even a factor. The Brooks saddle is one of those rare products that not only maintains it quality over the years, but actually IMPROVES with age and use. If you have had problems with expensive, high-tech saddles, just get one. These things have been around for over a century for a reason.