View Poll Results: Saddle Choice: Brooks Black, Navy, Levis Denim, or _______?
Black Brooks B-17




17
37.78%
Navy Brooks Professional




19
42.22%
Levis Denim Cambium




3
6.67%
Something else?




6
13.33%
Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll
Saddle Choice: Brooks Black, Navy, Demin, or _____?
#26
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Can't decide on a saddle without seeing the rest of your outfit.
#27
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#28
Newbie
Wait a minute... Brooks, a company associated with copper rivets, made a saddle of denim, a fabric associated with copper rivets, with STEEL rivets?
Where was the focus group on this one?
Where was the focus group on this one?
#30
Senior Member
Well, there's no need to SHOUT! Nor be insulting.
I only asked about the saddle choice (specifically the color), and not your opinion about my bar wrap, saddle bag, and don't forget the hoods. Can I provide closeup pictures to further tweak your emotional response?
Please visit this thread, Cool and Interesting Bar Tape to read the back story on how the bar wrap, brake lever hoods, and saddle bag, were inspired to be created.

Please visit this thread, Cool and Interesting Bar Tape to read the back story on how the bar wrap, brake lever hoods, and saddle bag, were inspired to be created.

You were asking a question about aesthetics. To me, it seemed you missed the "white elephant" in the room. If you only want favorable responses, don't ask about aesthetic questions.
The bike is decent. The bar wrap is horrible. Sorry, I meant "heinous" not horrible.
The fact that it is damaged is reason enough to get rid of it.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 01-26-23 at 01:02 PM.
#31
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#32
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LOL! I should have put a smiley after the capitalization. 
You were asking a question about aesthetics. To me, it seemed you missed the "white elephant" in the room. If you only want favorable responses, don't ask about aesthetic questions.
The bike is decent. The bar wrap is horrible. Sorry, I meant "heinous" not horrible.
The fact that it is damaged is reason enough to get rid of it.

You were asking a question about aesthetics. To me, it seemed you missed the "white elephant" in the room. If you only want favorable responses, don't ask about aesthetic questions.
The bike is decent. The bar wrap is horrible. Sorry, I meant "heinous" not horrible.
The fact that it is damaged is reason enough to get rid of it.
They are not damaged; they are just a couple of weeks old.
Again, I was only asking for comments on the saddle color.
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Last edited by pastorbobnlnh; 01-26-23 at 03:50 PM.
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#33
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Still thinkin' black saddle. On that bike.
Because the collaboration with AMC on the Levi's Gremlin worked out so well?
Because the collaboration with AMC on the Levi's Gremlin worked out so well?

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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
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#34
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#35
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Thank you for moving elsewhere. Remember what a wise person taught you when you were young: "If you have nothing nice to say...."
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#36
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Well--- the vote is currently deadlocked in a tie between the Navy Brooks Professional and the Black Brooks B-17, with 14 votes each. Oh, the dilemmas of retired life!
@obrentharris PMed me about something else and suggested I find a covered plastic saddle, rip off the original cover, and install the faux alligator hide as the new cover. I might just try that for the fun and audacity of doing so.
However, I'm partial to Brooks under my butt.
Brent also suggested making new leather uppers for a pair of bike shoes out of the same leather hide--- but I'm guessing shoe uppers are beyond my capabilities!
@obrentharris PMed me about something else and suggested I find a covered plastic saddle, rip off the original cover, and install the faux alligator hide as the new cover. I might just try that for the fun and audacity of doing so.

Brent also suggested making new leather uppers for a pair of bike shoes out of the same leather hide--- but I'm guessing shoe uppers are beyond my capabilities!
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#37
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Well--- the vote is currently deadlocked in a tie between the Navy Brooks Professional and the Black Brooks B-17, with 14 votes each. Oh, the dilemmas of retired life!
@obrentharris PMed me about something else and suggested I find a covered plastic saddle, rip off the original cover, and install the faux alligator hide as the new cover. I might just try that for the fun and audacity of doing so.
However, I'm partial to Brooks under my butt.
Brent also suggested making new leather uppers for a pair of bike shoes out of the same leather hide--- but I'm guessing shoe uppers are beyond my capabilities!
@obrentharris PMed me about something else and suggested I find a covered plastic saddle, rip off the original cover, and install the faux alligator hide as the new cover. I might just try that for the fun and audacity of doing so.

Brent also suggested making new leather uppers for a pair of bike shoes out of the same leather hide--- but I'm guessing shoe uppers are beyond my capabilities!
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
#38
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Thank you Dawg! You're the best. Woof, woof, woof!
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#39
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Just your address, PB. I have it somewhere but if you PM it I can send it out today.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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#40
Senior Member
Bob, I might suggest adding-in a Selle AnAtomica H2 with the carbon seat rail conversion, to upset the balance a little, or maybe a lot! I like black, brown and maroon in them, but they also have what they call "tool" leather, which looks like bare leather which will (and has, for the ones I own) age and mature with use.
My S-As are second to the natural Brooks B17 Select and the bought-new-in-1984 Ideale 92, matching a very high level of saddle design. Yes, they sag, but one is expected to restore appropriate sag level using the nose screw, and in my experience the sagging stops and it stays set, eventually. In former years S-A offered a range of colors based on dying the leather, but I haven't seen a peacock's worth of colors for a long time. Replacement leather skins are available for all levels of product, so it you bought a used one with a good and suitable frame and your leather skin was wrecked in some way or you just want tho whole useful lifetime, you can get a new skin that fits your frame.
Also, the S-A original steel frame is notable for the large setback the rails make possible. Unfortunately when they went to the #2 alloy frame with Ti rails, they shortened the straight part of the rail. The carbon rail conversion for that frame restores the setback capability to make it equivalent to the original bent-steel frame design, one of my favorite features in a bike part.
My S-As are second to the natural Brooks B17 Select and the bought-new-in-1984 Ideale 92, matching a very high level of saddle design. Yes, they sag, but one is expected to restore appropriate sag level using the nose screw, and in my experience the sagging stops and it stays set, eventually. In former years S-A offered a range of colors based on dying the leather, but I haven't seen a peacock's worth of colors for a long time. Replacement leather skins are available for all levels of product, so it you bought a used one with a good and suitable frame and your leather skin was wrecked in some way or you just want tho whole useful lifetime, you can get a new skin that fits your frame.
Also, the S-A original steel frame is notable for the large setback the rails make possible. Unfortunately when they went to the #2 alloy frame with Ti rails, they shortened the straight part of the rail. The carbon rail conversion for that frame restores the setback capability to make it equivalent to the original bent-steel frame design, one of my favorite features in a bike part.
Last edited by Road Fan; 01-27-23 at 09:23 AM.
#41
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It must be one of the early synthetic jerseys, because it almost feels like a sheet of rubber.
Steve in Peoria
#42
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Well--- the vote is currently deadlocked in a tie between the Navy Brooks Professional and the Black Brooks B-17, with 14 votes each. Oh, the dilemmas of retired life!
@obrentharris PMed me about something else and suggested I find a covered plastic saddle, rip off the original cover, and install the faux alligator hide as the new cover. I might just try that for the fun and audacity of doing so.
However, I'm partial to Brooks under my butt.
Brent also suggested making new leather uppers for a pair of bike shoes out of the same leather hide--- but I'm guessing shoe uppers are beyond my capabilities!
@obrentharris PMed me about something else and suggested I find a covered plastic saddle, rip off the original cover, and install the faux alligator hide as the new cover. I might just try that for the fun and audacity of doing so.

Brent also suggested making new leather uppers for a pair of bike shoes out of the same leather hide--- but I'm guessing shoe uppers are beyond my capabilities!
Would like to see a better, more well lit pic of it, maybe in sunlight to see better contrast.
How about some spats?

#43
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@Road Fan , thanks for your suggestions on the S-A H model. Personally, I've not tried their saddle but have tried the Brooks version with the cut out, and it did not agree with my anatomy. Also, the faux alligator skin, is not thick enough for a traditional Brooks, Ideale, Belt, S-A, or @rhm leather saddle. It might work for a covering, and jdawginsc is sending me one I can experiment on.
@merziac I'll try to take better pictures. The saddle used to be bluer but has darkened to a navy with age. Here it is the way it looked back when I first bought it.
@merziac I'll try to take better pictures. The saddle used to be bluer but has darkened to a navy with age. Here it is the way it looked back when I first bought it.

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#44
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#45
Senior Member
What I found with the Imperial versus the S-A is that the Imperial is pinchy between the sit bones, since that is where the leather flexes and creases a little. The saddle is more compliant than a standard B17, however. But the SA slot is cut all the way to behind the sit bone support area, so the whole length of the saddle flexes independently - much less pinching than the Brooks, and more compliant. Your anatomy would be sitting on two different animals, comparing the Brooks Imp with the Selle Anatomica.
Is that blue Brooks Pro a Pre-Softened model?
Is that blue Brooks Pro a Pre-Softened model?
#46
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#47
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@Road Fan it is as Merziac describes above. It has a standard Professional finish but is stamped and dyed blue.

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#48
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This is coming down to the wire and the Black B17 and Navy Professional are in a dead heat with each other. Feb 1st is the deadline for the voting to end. I need a tiebreaker, or I'll need to cover the Avocet saddle @jdawginsc sent me--- with 'gator hide!

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#49
Newbie
They all look great (as do the accessories)!
After anguishing deliberation, and facing the deadline, I'll cast my vote for the blue Brooks Pro.
But, as I say, I don't think you can go wrong here.
After anguishing deliberation, and facing the deadline, I'll cast my vote for the blue Brooks Pro.
But, as I say, I don't think you can go wrong here.
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#50
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I will retract my vote, and change it to the black Brooks to tie it up again and force Pastor Bob to recover the Avocet in gator garnish.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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