Brooks Swift or B17 Narrow, ti or steel rails?

[fenderbender]

Hi!
I'm very pleased with the Swift ti's I've fitted to my current fleet
of bikes. But due to the resent price hike I must question my reasons
for buying the titanium rail versions. As I now have two more builds
near compleation that need some seating but my funds are limited. One
is a resurrectio and the other a lovely vanity bike.

Anyone tried both the Swift and B17 Narrow and could tell me the
difference in "feal"?

Is the dampening of the steel rails that much different too that of
the ti-version, and does it excuse the added cost?

Thanks and Keep 'em rolling!

[Patrick in VT]

i think any difference in feel is due to the leather.

i own ti and steel rail brooks - the only difference is weight, and i
don't really notice that either. my ti swift is my favorite because
it fits the best. i'd be just as happy with it if it had steel
rails.

the b-17 narrow is flatter across the top and feels wider somehow,
although i think it's the same width as the swift. i haven't the
opportunity to break in a b-17N though, so that's just an initial
impression - not a real opinion.

[JoelMatthews]

We had a big discussion on this over in the Peter White Forum a
couples week back - in the Berthoud Saddle Introductory Thread.

Peter, I and some others argued that whatever minor difference in
shock absorption may exist between steel, Ti and Carbon would be
completely overwhelmed by the differences in one piece of leather to
the next.

Leather is an organic compound. There is no way leather on every
saddle is not going to be at least slightly different from the other.
99.9% of the feel of the saddle will be in the leather.

If you do not mind paying extra, and the minor weight saving is
important to you, go with the Ti. For my money, I would go with the
steel and spend some of the savings on leather conditioners and maybe
a real nice saddle cover.

[fenderbender]

Thanks for those replies! Very grateful because I have to order on the
net.
One reason for me asking is that besides my four Swift (bought next to
new from friends that gave in to quick!) I have two Ideal steel railed
heavyweights. This are on my commuters and there is a big differens in
feel. The Ideal transmit much more road buzz than the ti-railed Swift.
But I would imagine that Brooks use a bit narrower and more flexible
steel rails than the old Ideal's and the leather are getting old and
hard.
Just remembered I have some old titanium seatpost that could ad some
dampening but I would have to get the right shims. Ok, definitely
going for steel rails this time. Thanks!

So whats your verdict on Brooks colours then? Got me some raw hides
and brown leather paint, but can't decide what seat to get. The frame
I'm dressing up is a Mercian Vincitore Special (yeah, wrong forum :)
with a Ice Blue Pearl paint job and white windows: http://i35.tinypic.com/2cwu78g.jpg
Either a young-nordic-blond-honey or a stuffy-british-antique-brown
seat-bars-mudflap-theme? ;)
http://www.brookssaddles.com/en/Shop_ProductPage.aspx?cat=saddles+-+road+%26+mtb&prod=Swift+Chrome

> > Thanks and Keep 'em rolling!- Dölj citerad text -
>
> - Visa citerad text -

[JoelMatthews]

I think many will agree that Mercian are the proper British equivalent
of Rivendell. You have a great bike there.

Color is personal, but I really like the Brooks Honey. It is more
neutral looks good with almost any other color you use with your bike.

Which Ideale saddles do you have? There are several possible issues
with the leather that could leave them less comfortable. First,
Ideale had several grades of leather. Some of the basic grades were
more stiff. The highest end was stamped with Rebour. This was glove
soft and is quite comfortable even today if well cared for.

Which gets to my second and third possiblities. If the saddle is
used, it is possible it was not properly cared for over the years. To
little or the wrong kind of leather conditioner and the saddle starts
to dry out. Also, you never know if some prior owner did not over
stretch the saddle. Even if you got the saddle new old stock, who
knows where it was stored. Temperature and humidity need to be
correct to keep leather in good condition. And of course, leather
saddles conform to the shape and weight of the rider. If the original
owner has a significantly different body from you, then it is possible
they wore the saddle down wrong.

On Jul 2, 12:37 pm, fenderbender <pedal_kr...@yahoo.se> wrote:
> Thanks for those replies! Very grateful because I have to order on the
> net.
> One reason for me asking is that besides my four Swift (bought next to
> new from friends that gave in to quick!) I have two Ideal steel railed
> heavyweights. This are on my commuters and there is a big differens in
> feel. The Ideal transmit much more road buzz than the ti-railed Swift.
> But I would imagine that Brooks use a bit narrower and more flexible
> steel rails than the old Ideal's and the leather are getting old and
> hard.
> Just remembered I have some old titanium seatpost that could ad some
> dampening but I would have to get the right shims. Ok, definitely
> going for steel rails this time. Thanks!
>
> So whats your verdict on Brooks colours then? Got me some raw hides
> and brown leather paint, but can't decide what seat to get. The frame
> I'm dressing up is a Mercian Vincitore Special (yeah, wrong forum :)
> with a Ice Blue Pearl paint job and white windows:http://i35.tinypic.com/2cwu78g.jpg
> Either a young-nordic-blond-honey or a stuffy-british-antique-brown

> seat-bars-mudflap-theme? ;)http://www.brookssaddles.com/en/Shop_ProductPage.aspx?cat=saddles+-+r...

> > - Visa citerad text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[BPu...@aol.com]

   Definitely the young Nordic nubile blond honey. Matches the top decal on the seat tube AND I just love saying "young Nordic nubile blond honey."

Bill

Louisville, Ky

 

 

 

In a message dated 7/2/2009 1:37:41 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pedal...@yahoo.se writes:

So whats your verdict on Brooks colours then? Got me some raw hides
and brown leather paint, but can't decide what seat to get. The frame
I'm dressing up is a Mercian Vincitore Special (yeah, wrong forum :)
with a Ice Blue Pearl paint job and white windows: http://i35.tinypic.com/2cwu78g.jpg
Either a young-nordic-blond-honey or a stuffy-british-antique-brown

---

Dell Summer Savings: Cool Deals on Popular Laptops - Shop Now!

[John Stoesser]

I have an early 80's Mercian in a very similar (if not identical) Blue with
pale Gray Head tube, black letters and pinstriping. I decided to go with a
Black Brooks. Maybe I'm too predictable. I love (spelled envious) your
Vincitore. I'm trying to decide whether to buy a King of Mercia, Bombadil,
or Waterford Adventure Cycle for my touring rig.

[fenderbender]

Thanks, blond it is then! I've always wanted a bike with curly lugs
and brown lether bits but never had the patience to save up for one.
So I couldn't believe my eyes when this unused frame turned up in the
local classifieds at a bargain price. The seller even lowered price
without me asking! If it's any comfort for you it's on the small side,
but I hope a Technomic will sort thing out. :)

I do like the classic looks of black too. But all my other saddles are
black/dark brown and I just thought i should get some variation in my
life.
Just spoken to my "bike pimp" about it but he also happens to be the
importer of Gilles Berthoud gear in these parts of the woods. So he is
obviously very keen on selling me a Berthoud creation instead. Here I
am trying to be rational keeping the cost down. But one look at the
"cork" coloured saddles and I forget all about the honey and
instinctively reach for the wallet!
http://wallbike.com/blog/category/saddles/berthoud/

The price here is in the neighbourhood of the ti-railed Brooks so I
might wait a bit and use one of my old saddles for now. I'm told
Berthoud has a equivalent to the Swift on the way that might fit my
behinds better. Anyone know when it will turn up in the shops? :P

> seat-bars-mudflap-theme? ;)http://www.brookssaddles.com/en/Shop_ProductPage.aspx?cat=saddles+-+r...

> > - Visa citerad text -- Dölj citerad text -

[JoelMatthews]

I have a Cork Berthoud on order as well. They look great. Peter
White suggests something to keep the rear bolts secure. Bees wax
might make the most sense.

On Jul 4, 5:26 am, fenderbender <pedal_kr...@yahoo.se> wrote:
> Thanks, blond it is then! I've always wanted a bike with curly lugs
> and brown lether bits but never had the patience to save up for one.
> So I couldn't believe my eyes when this unused frame turned up in the
> local classifieds at a bargain price. The seller even lowered price
> without me asking! If it's any comfort for you it's on the small side,
> but I hope a Technomic will sort thing out. :)
>
> I do like the classic looks of black too. But all my other saddles are
> black/dark brown and I just thought i should get some variation in my
> life.
> Just spoken to my "bike pimp" about it but he also happens to be the
> importer of Gilles Berthoud gear in these parts of the woods. So he is
> obviously very keen on selling me a Berthoud creation instead. Here I
> am trying to be rational keeping the cost down. But one look at the
> "cork" coloured saddles and I forget all about the honey and

> instinctively reach for the wallet!http://wallbike.com/blog/category/saddles/berthoud/

[rinjin]

Got my cork-flavored Berthoud from Jim at Hiawatha the other day. I
believe they're currently selling their second shipment. Not sure what
they have in stock now, but you might give Jim a shout. Great looking
saddles with some smart touches. Haven't had time to take mine for a
ride yet.

Brian

On Jul 4, 5:26 am, fenderbender <pedal_kr...@yahoo.se> wrote:

> Thanks, blond it is then! I've always wanted a bike with curly lugs
> and brown lether bits but never had the patience to save up for one.
> So I couldn't believe my eyes when this unused frame turned up in the
> local classifieds at a bargain price. The seller even lowered price
> without me asking! If it's any comfort for you it's on the small side,
> but I hope a Technomic will sort thing out. :)
>
> I do like the classic looks of black too. But all my other saddles are
> black/dark brown and I just thought i should get some variation in my
> life.
> Just spoken to my "bike pimp" about it but he also happens to be the
> importer of Gilles Berthoud gear in these parts of the woods. So he is
> obviously very keen on selling me a Berthoud creation instead. Here I
> am trying to be rational keeping the cost down. But one look at the
> "cork" coloured saddles and I forget all about the honey and

> instinctively reach for the wallet!http://wallbike.com/blog/category/saddles/berthoud/

[Jim Cloud]

I was interested in your comment that there was a recent price
increase for Brooks saddles. I purchased a new Brooks B.17 Champion
Special saddle with copper rails and the honey finish this week from
my LBS and experienced the opposite. The saddle, which was newly
added to their stock (they just received an order) was priced at
$114.99. This price is obviously less than many of those from online
retailers.

Frankly, the prices should be coming down. The current exchange rate
for the British Pound to the US Dollar is $1.63560, one year ago
(7/04/2008) the exchange rate was $1.98820 (approximately an 18% loss
in value for the Pound). Obviously, the Pound to Dollar exchange rate
is not favorable to the Pound.

I find it interesting that most retailers justify price increases,
based on currency exchange rates, while rarely adjusting prices
downward when currency exchange rates favor the US Dollar...

Jim