Brooks Swift Titanium

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Wiggle.co.uk

Favorite Ride:
Roads without cars

Bike Setup:
Titanium road bike with Campagnolo throughout. USE sumo Ti seat post

Summary:
I tried many other saddles, Fizik deserving an Honourable Mention, but still suffered regular chaffing and sometimes soreness on long rides. The lack of sharp side edges on the Swift precludes chaffing and I have found it to be extremely comfortable. The absence of foam or gel means that road buzz can be felt more, but on fast descents this is good, as I can feel the road and judge traction better on corners with poor surface. Larger shocks and bumps are absorbed better on the Brooks as the natural springiness of the leather stretched across the Ti frame is an excellent cushion, compared to the more rigid, hard-shells of plastic / carbon saddles. There is a weight penalty even with the Ti frame, but in perspective this is less than a couple of deep swigs of drink. One day I shall recoup this small weight gain from some other component, but I could not give up the Swift now. The ability to ride for long periods without fear, or large amounts of chamois cream, is just too important to me.
Another benefit with this saddle is that on long hills I don't get pushed backwards, with the need to re-adjust my position every few minutes. The rear of the Brooks acts as a nice buttress to a grinding long climbing effort.

Some common sense monitoring and maintenance is required. After two months I had to increase the tension using the simple adjustment bolt, as slight sag was evident. After this it has stayed stable. Unlike previous reviewers I considered my saddle broken-in in less than a month of mostly weekend rides. These were mostly hard, sweaty, rides in a humid country (Malaysia) so maybe this helped. I have a small pack of tubes / tools strapped under it which seems to protect it well from road-spray. I forgot to get Brook's own "Proofide" when I was in the UK so I applied some mink oil (available from cobblers), which soaked into the underside as a protective coating. I have used mink oil on leather goods for years and suspect it is the main component of Proofide anyway.
It is an expensive saddle, but I have spent more in the last 2 years on other makes trying to cure my chaffing problem.
A great product.

Strengths:
Excellent comfort and "feel". Ideal for hard riders and fast tourists

Weaknesses:
Leather needs a little care

Similar Products Used:
Several Selle Italia and Fizik models Two San Marco, including the Rolls

Price Paid:  $200.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere

Bike Setup:
Specialized Roubaix (1 Elite and 1 S-Works SL)

Summary:
This is the 2nd Brooks I have owned, the first B-17 I bought in the 70's. I eventually shaved some leather off of that one, but it was still heavy as a brick and took FOREVER to break in. Also, the rails on the older saddles do not fit well on the newer saddle clamps.

This Swift is a beautiful thing to behold, but after 2500 miles it is still not flexible at all. This means it will outlast me, but I am not happy to spend so much and have to endure such a long break-in. I am treating only with Proofide and Leather Life. The previous saddle was soaked in neats-foot and beaten with many objects, chiefly a softball bat, and just got good when I was ready to give up on it, 32 years later.

I once test-rode a Schwinn Paramount with a worn-in Brooks that was posterior heaven, and that is why I buy them, but I have more nerve than nirvana so far. My riding weights on these started at a skinny 130lbs in the 70s, up to ca 190; but for this Swift, prob 185 down to 170 or so.

I have read that the hides are (of course) various thicknesses and the buyer cannot be guaranteed to have a soft saddle at any particular point, but apparently there are some rhinos roaming the plains of England.

Strengths:
Based on previous experience, eventually becomes the most comfortable saddle possible. But read review. Either a strenght or a weakness: heavily-padded and esp gel-padded shorts are a waste of money on these saddles once they are softening, and I tend to look for older shorts or Naline team shorts, which use minimal padding.

Weaknesses:
LONG break-in period for this saddle. Heavier than tiny racing saddles.

Similar Products Used:
Brooks B-17, Specialized Avatar, Alias & Toupe

Price Paid:  $200.00

Summary:
Have had a swift on my mountain bike for over three years and after a brief break-in period it is fantastic. Just bought an 08 Merckx LXM roadbike and bought another swift. On the first ride it was more comfortable than the fizik and getting better with every ride. Not the lightest but the best.

Strengths:
support, comfort & durability

Weaknesses:
weight, time to break-in, needs occasional loving care