Bianchigirll 

Has anyone ever seen or better still tried one of these Unistrengh saddles for $60 from the Amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/UNISTRENGH-Vi...0967N1W8H?th=1

Senior Ryder 00 

Haven’t seen them before your post. The top view looks a lot like the Brooks copy sold by Spa Cycles in the UK. I have 2 & they are comparable to Brooks. Maybe a little easier to break in.
Cheers,
Van

kengrubb

Reviews say the leather is thicker than a Brooks, so presumably a longer break in time

Hondo6

Touring version also appears to be available, should anyone be interested.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DNRMFQZ...kZXRhaWwy&th=1

iab

$60?

Sounds like an unsustainable use natural resources and highly questionable labor practices. But it is Christmas, better get one of each color.

kunsunoke 

For context, the saddles were likely made in the People's Republic of China, a nation nobody is allowed to criticize.

https://www.unistrengh.com/guestbook/

iab

I'm fully aware of the country or origin. But I also know there are highly reputable companies there too. I only suspect this isn't one of them.

Bianchigirll 

So Brooks always used sustainably brown leather goods and always lavishly treated their workers?
What isn’t made in China these days. This link seems to only be car top camping gear.






I have nothing against Brooks, I already have 4, but the price is getting a little steep so I thought I’d try something else.

where are the VO saddles made?

iab

I don't know that for certain. But I also know the regulatory environment in the UK gives me more confidence it is more so than the Amazon company. And who said lavishly? I'm sure Robin Leach never worked at Brooks.

Also, one of the reasons I like vintage as buying used products is more sustainable than buying new products. I did buy a new C15 though, I was curious. I also wonder, what is more sustainable, a B17 or a C17?

kunsunoke 

I'm sure there are a few reputable companies there, but the country of origin matters. This is particularly true when one considers business volumes, and couples them with business ethics. PROC is one of the biggest exporters of leather goods in the world. It's also one of the most ethically challenged business environments in the world.

https://chinadialogue.net/en/polluti...in-shanghai-1/

The toughest environmental regulations in the world (on paper) mean nothing if those regulations are enforced inconsistently, or in biased fashion. Or not at all. And when the complaints about toxic chemicals in the watercourses come in (as they do, inevitably), the production line can always move to the third world.

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...maliland-water

We in the West are some of the biggest hypocrites in the world regarding environmental issues. We complain all the time about how horrible pollution is, especially in our own backyards, and yet we had no problem shipping manufacturing overseas where regulation and oversight are lax. And so the hexavalent chromium solutions go straight into water courses, instead of getting treated and/or recycled, or not used at all.

I'm going to stick with my Brooks Pro, B-17 and C-17 saddles. Caveat emptor.

xiaoman1 

Well said......
Best, Ben

BTW, A few words about Ambazos......https://www.reuters.com/investigates...india-rigging/
Ever notice when you are looking at an item on Amazon, sometimes you will be directed to a "similar/cheaper" less expensive item, only to find it may be one either sponsored by them or a knock off of the item...an Amazon brand..."A Brands".
Often a direct copy of the item you are viewing....I guess they are not making enough and want to undercut out the other sellers on their site.

zandoval 

You can go straight to the ChiCom Outlet for a little more savings... If you want.
Lets see, Brooks B135 at 180 USD or the questionable ChiCom copy at 11 USD? To tell ya the truth...

Yep... big hypocrite. I have more ChiCom components on my Frankenized bikes then I would like to admit!

Aliexpress.com

Example of one of my mostly ChiCom builds: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...mites-80s.html

Road Fan

If you go to the Unistrength or Alibaba sites, the price is a lot lower - take it for what it is worth.

Bianchigirll 

I hadn’t intended for this to turn into a YUGE debate on the political philosophies of the country of origin because let’s face it, unless we want to pay a lot more for stuff it’s coming from countries that treat their people like crap just like we did during the industrial revolution and apparently still do at Amazon.

Since we have the new project going here at the Trash Panda Works secret facility I was looking for a more yellowish saddle and perhaps a more fiscally responsible option to the Brooks.

BTinNYC 

Just deleted a long serious post on the state of today's China.

In summary, I think I'll get the black one.

RustyJames 

Geez people - I hope this helps Bianchigirll - has anyone tried one? My expectations would be low but, I haven’t tried one.

jdawginsc 

I have not tried one. I was tempted a few times but since I have never even used my few Brooks yet, so I figured I’d wait.

kunsunoke 

Gyes saddles are also made in China (ROC), without exploitation or slave labor - and at reduced environmental toxicity vs. what comes out of the PRC.

Gyes

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...xperience.html

Also worth noting here - It's possible to do a little digging and find Brooks leather saddles at reasonable prices - particularly if those saddles are gently-used. Leather doesn't work for everybody.

Road Fan

The only misgiving I have about this Alibaba saddle is technical. From the photos here, on Alibaba, and on the manufacturers' site, which all seem to be the same, the pic of the bottom of the saddle seems to clearly show that a thin laminate is on the bottom surface of the saddle skin. It's not clear if is natural leather or not. I have had a few Gyes saddles and haven't like their lack of firmness. Selle AnAtomica saddles are laminated and I like them quite a lot. So while I would not buy another Gyes and do not have a growing need for another SA on my shelf, I think the Alibaba might be ok. Fellow C&Vers, I'm hoping to find your reviws and comments!

philbob57

Quote:

ChiCom components

Components sign on to ideologies?

China is CINO - communist in name only. If you think it's communist, you need to learn more about communism.

Taiwan is also CINO - China in name only. Taiwan has been separated from the mainland for all but 4 years since 1896. An during those 4 years, the Nationalist government didn't control all of the mainland and lost control of Taiwan for part of the time.

Taiwan duli wan sui!

xiaoman1 

I would say we should buy what we like...Oddly enough, asking for opinions may be akin to something political....it can be the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups...a preference for or against etc.
I hope more of the members that have bought it will chime in on its "quality".....we can already see that it's inexpensive, I suspect for some the ride is what was in question.
In any event in my opinion, it's good to ask for an opinion, in the end....yours, only you will know if others recommendations, votes for or against, aligned with your needs.
Best, Ben

zandoval 

I hear ya... I do the same here. Me and my twisted military back ground have to be nice and diplomatic when presenting to the general public. I consider it a survival skill... Bravo!

Oh... I get it... CINO = Communist In Name Only. I had to look it up. Now I got another acronym for that USF file in the back of my brain. Actually, thanks...

As far as the OP, yes, I am going to order a few of these just to see if they are worth it. Most of the CINO manufactured parts I have used have in fact been well worth it...

79pmooney

I learned that the leather Portland's great store carries in not US made because of our environmental regulations. Now, we are probably the #1 consumers of meat, a very large percentage of which is from cattle raised in the US. So we get vast amounts of hide. But we cannot use this resource that is a result of not very sustainable raising of livestock. Yes, tanning leather is a dirty operation. But I am sure it can be done properly and the waste contained or better reused. I don't know what we do with those hides. I"m guessing a real percentage gets shipped overseas to be tanned in countries with lower standards (both environment and pay), just like we send or refuse over there to be sorted and re-used.

In my simple mind, the idea of using as much of the body of those animals we kill for food just seems right; as part of walking through this life as members of a vast system we should be working to honor and protect, not destroy as fast as possible - just dragging our feet when we wake up to the fact that destroying this system is going to have dire consequences for us and we might even see it first hand.

I eat very little meat and don't bring it home to cook. But using and wearing leather has always felt to me like something that should be a right and proper use of the animals we kill. And leather used right and treated properly can serve us very well and for long periods. I have everyday shoes I paid $80 for, have had re-soled twice, a lift installed and repairs done to. Yes, they now look pretty disreputable but they are still comfortable to stand in all day, and walk distances. Bought them 1999. Everyday shoes for 20 years including working as an engineer where they went out into the plant anytime steel toes were not required. How many Asia made Nikes have they saved me and the planet (and landfill) from?

I say this and I don't ride traditional leather seats. Wish I could but I love pulling forward and "riding the rivet" far too much. Riding real rivets on hard leather and a steel frame immediately under is not something I or my soft parts like. The Italian leather over foam over plastic shell works far better for me. Not a total saint. I have 2 Specialized plastic covered seats that don't mind being rained on at all. (Won't buy Specialized again but that's another matter entirely.)

I also use leather as a consumable. (I did say I am not a saint.) Leather toestraps. Buy leather I witness being cut from hides into 1/2" strips at that leather store. Rivet the strips to old toestrap buckles. Dye them usually black but next pair will get red for the Mooney. For my fix gears. Pulling up hard uphill regularly kills them in less than a season. Old ones get used for less romantic duties. Higher quality toestrap specific leather would go a lot longer but even the best is still a consumable. (Binda normal and Extra and the like.)

I try to remember that leather came from animals; that they died to serve me. I try to remember the same about the wood I love to work. I also try my best to use both as long as I can and to only throw out what is worn beyond use. (At direct odds with knowing I have collected too much stuff and need to downsize knowing a lot of it nobody else wants and that I have limited patience and insight for finding buyers/recipients to take that stuff off my hands.)

Trying to be a reasonably responsible 1st world citizen.

79pmooney

And to that seat - leather? Looks like carved wood to me. Should last a long time. And you;ll never have to tighten that skirt.

ironwood

It looks like the Cardiff saddles sold by SOMA , without the Cardiff logo.