Road Testing the New Brooks Cambium Saddle
06-05-13, 06:38 PM
#76
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Not necessarily, if they start producing the aluminum cantle in larger numbers, the difference might be much less than we think as the steel one might require more hand work to get the chroming right, plus the weldng on to the rail ends it require.... I assume the rails on this new saddle might be just mechanically swaged on to the cantle which would be a much quicker installation process.....
06-05-13, 06:50 PM
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This might be that saddle....except that it's a Brooks and will probably cost north of 100 bucks. One of the questions on the initial survey concerned price points...the lowest was $135.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-05-13, 06:51 PM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-05-13, 07:07 PM
#79
incazzare.
Um, no, because for you to get that used price, someone else had to be willing to pay the new price. The price you're willing to pay for a used saddle is not relevant to Brooks' pricing scheme.
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06-05-13, 07:17 PM
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I suppose that my comment didn't translate well to a written post. I was just joking, I know that is a nearly impossible request.
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06-05-13, 07:22 PM
#81
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I got my saddle today and installed it on my Fuji World, which is my primary commuter...pics attached. (two are pics of the C17 side-by-side with the B17 CS it is replacing).
First impressions: It's similar in appearance to a Selle Regal (isn't the same company the current owner of Brooks?). It's light...way lighter than a B17.
Installed it in the same position as the B17 I removed and took it for a short ride to verify that it wasn't an ass hatchet. It seemed perfectly fine, though obviously not as slick as the B17. I don't use bike shorts much...for this initial short ride that was not a problem at all. I'll have to withhold further observations on fit, comfort and durability until after I get some decent miles on it.
It should be pretty much weatherproof...a big plus for commuting...but again, I'll reserve judgement until after some soaker commutes.
Note there is more usable rail space than on the B17.
First impressions: It's similar in appearance to a Selle Regal (isn't the same company the current owner of Brooks?). It's light...way lighter than a B17.
Installed it in the same position as the B17 I removed and took it for a short ride to verify that it wasn't an ass hatchet. It seemed perfectly fine, though obviously not as slick as the B17. I don't use bike shorts much...for this initial short ride that was not a problem at all. I'll have to withhold further observations on fit, comfort and durability until after I get some decent miles on it.
It should be pretty much weatherproof...a big plus for commuting...but again, I'll reserve judgement until after some soaker commutes.
Note there is more usable rail space than on the B17.
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06-05-13, 07:47 PM
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The best view we have of the saddle so far and it looks very handsome. Shape-wise, it looks very "sexy" in this pic. plus the modern canle design looks refreshing.
I'm not looking for a textile saddle, but give me that thing with a leather cover on it and I might be first in line to buy one!
Chombi
I'm not looking for a textile saddle, but give me that thing with a leather cover on it and I might be first in line to buy one!
Chombi
06-05-13, 07:55 PM
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In the end they will use some combination of the user feedback and the cost of production. My guess would be that the saddles sell for close to $200. I would be on board pretty quick if it's MSRP is under $160. However, as others have mentioned, there is the MSRP and then prices "we can get" a brooks for. We all know the big UK online bike outlets will have these at reduced pricing at some point, though maybe not right away.
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06-06-13, 04:39 AM
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I wonder how it will react to temps well below freezing? Any testers have a walk in freezer?
06-06-13, 06:21 AM
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I've been tempted to poo-poo this whole idea and say there's nothing new under the sun, but I'm beginning to think otherwise. I'm starting to like the idea and the pictures.
Velognome, let's extend your idea and ask how well it will stand up to freezes, thaws, and high summer heat. Maybe we need a temperature-swing lab.
Velognome, let's extend your idea and ask how well it will stand up to freezes, thaws, and high summer heat. Maybe we need a temperature-swing lab.
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06-06-13, 06:39 AM
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I did poo-poo this whole thing but it was mostly the looks of the thing that put me off. However, I'm happy to hear that Azorch's initial test shows it to be very comfy. A leather cover with tiny holes, or perforations , would look nice. But then, I think someone's already done the leather covered Italian saddle thing.
06-06-13, 06:44 AM
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Has anyone soaked the saddle to duplicate 10 minutes in the rain? Is it meant to perform as an all-weather saddle?
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06-06-13, 07:24 AM
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Seems that the cotton will wear away from abrasion; think of denim jeans. And the light color will stain, while the dark will fade. I wonder why they didn't chose a more wear-, light-, and water-resistant fabric than cotton.
06-06-13, 09:07 AM
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Actually, I got caught in a downpour yesterday and didn't notice any change, but quite honestly I really do think there's more chance of perspiration having a greater effect than rain water. In the rain I tend to stay planted to the saddle and my body is a pretty decent shield. I'm going to guess that the upper has been treated in some fashion other than just attaching raw cotton product; I have to believe that would be one of the first questions Brooks and the design team they collaborated with thought about. Again, just guessing, but I'd imagine that would further apply to the fade resistance/staining potential that JML brings up. This is purely conjecture on my part of course, but as a designer those are the sort of issues that also occurred to me and I'd be stunned if they weren't discussed as part of the design protocol during development.
06-06-13, 09:10 AM
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I hope we all realize that discussions of saddle comfort are discussions of our feelings in a very private place. Just putting that out there.
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06-06-13, 09:10 AM
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It's been raining all day...I rode to work in the rain it's been sitting out in the rain since (normally I cover it) just so I can see how it stands up to a good drenching. I'll let you know the result after I ride home later this afternoon.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-06-13, 09:13 AM
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I am going to frame it in relation to the comfort of the B17 I replaced. I hate to say it, but so far I actually like it better, but more because it seems just a bit narrower, more like my Team Pro. Otherwise it's definitely not less comfy...but we'll see when I take it on a ride longer than my 5 mile commute.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-06-13, 09:32 AM
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I'm curious what you think Chipcom.
I don't know how I feel about this - I definitely want to see Chipcom's ride report. My initial reaction is that a leather Brooks works as is, so this has to offer an advantage over the existing product. That advantage has to be one of the following:
1. Price - doesn't seem like it's going to be any cheaper.
2. Aesthetics - definitely not.
3. Weight - seems to have an edge, but it's not something I care about much either way.
4. Durability - I don't see this outlasting a B-17 with bonded cloth.
5. Comfort - here's the test!
I don't know how I feel about this - I definitely want to see Chipcom's ride report. My initial reaction is that a leather Brooks works as is, so this has to offer an advantage over the existing product. That advantage has to be one of the following:
1. Price - doesn't seem like it's going to be any cheaper.
2. Aesthetics - definitely not.
3. Weight - seems to have an edge, but it's not something I care about much either way.
4. Durability - I don't see this outlasting a B-17 with bonded cloth.
5. Comfort - here's the test!
06-06-13, 09:45 AM
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Looks a lot like a regal but with bag loops. And I kind of want a regal with bag loops, so, if this were cheap enough, I'd probably be interested.
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06-06-13, 10:01 AM
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Good analysis Aaron, but not sure if I agree with you on the aestethics, I happen to like the look of the saddle, especially in black. Too bad I don't have a bike in need of a saddle, but hey, there's always N+1.
06-06-13, 10:02 AM
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all good concerns about the cotton fabric, I bet it's been given some sort of "Scotch-Guarding" treatment, but then that might wear away in time, too.
As for the durability of rubber in extreme temperature (hot and cold) likewise a concern, but I'd add another big one...
ozone.
As for the durability of rubber in extreme temperature (hot and cold) likewise a concern, but I'd add another big one...
ozone.
06-06-13, 10:10 AM
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I didn't get to test it, but I would have been able to ride it in real outdoor conditions at -30 Celsius next winter.
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