Is this a real Brooks saddle or knock off?
03-20-23, 03:02 PM
#26
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Not a troll. But I recognize I should’ve known better.
No riverts said “brooks”
the sides of the saddle were free of markings
there was no plate on the back.
I stopped by the bike shop on Hawthorne (portland) that sold brooks saddles and they said, “Asian look alike”.
I need to improve my picture taking. And maybe stop going to bike swap meets at my favorite brewery. (Baerlic).
No riverts said “brooks”
the sides of the saddle were free of markings
there was no plate on the back.
I stopped by the bike shop on Hawthorne (portland) that sold brooks saddles and they said, “Asian look alike”.
I need to improve my picture taking. And maybe stop going to bike swap meets at my favorite brewery. (Baerlic).
if it was quality it would be approved by inspector 12
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03-20-23, 03:29 PM
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03-20-23, 03:31 PM
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03-20-23, 05:24 PM
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Zoom in and take another pic.
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03-20-23, 05:55 PM
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It was a good swap meet. I found a bucket of Campagnolo hub oil clips.
That’s my hairless hand/hoof
That’s my hairless hand/hoof
03-20-23, 06:39 PM
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"Oh, pretty good now that it's not raining."
"Yeah, they never cover us, do they?"
"Never. Hey, you seen any good butts lately?"
"Ha. Funny. I used to like butts when I was on an actual bike."
"Yeah... I guess it could be worse."
"How?"
"Um... Hmm... We could be mounted to a Huffy."
"True. Very true..."
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03-20-23, 06:41 PM
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03-20-23, 07:22 PM
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03-20-23, 07:38 PM
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03-20-23, 09:19 PM
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03-20-23, 10:15 PM
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Oh, boy 
I can't see pics (some of you know might know why), but didn't Brooks add a fiber layer of some kind to the underside of some saddles to enhance water repellency (and why does BF spell-check think I spellled 'repellency' wrong?) - or was that an aftermarket treatment?
DD
I can't see pics (some of you know might know why), but didn't Brooks add a fiber layer of some kind to the underside of some saddles to enhance water repellency (and why does BF spell-check think I spellled 'repellency' wrong?) - or was that an aftermarket treatment?
DD
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03-20-23, 10:24 PM
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03-20-23, 10:29 PM
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"So how ya doin'?"
"Oh, pretty good now that it's not raining."
"Yeah, they never cover us, do they?"
"Never. Hey, you seen any good butts lately?"
"Ha. Funny. I used to like butts when I was on an actual bike."
"Yeah... I guess it could be worse."
"How?"
"Um... Hmm... We could be mounted to a Huffy."
"True. Very true..."
"Oh, pretty good now that it's not raining."
"Yeah, they never cover us, do they?"
"Never. Hey, you seen any good butts lately?"
"Ha. Funny. I used to like butts when I was on an actual bike."
"Yeah... I guess it could be worse."
"How?"
"Um... Hmm... We could be mounted to a Huffy."
"True. Very true..."
03-21-23, 12:01 AM
#43
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Most .modern Brooks look-alike saddles (Guye's, Cardiff........) use that laminated leather construction with the patterned bottom face.I don't remember ever seeing a genuine Brooks with such leather construction.
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03-21-23, 02:48 AM
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I knew what the additional material's function was, but was unsure whether Brooks supplied a model from the factory with that feature, of if there were aftermarket additions could be added to Brooks saddles.
Definitely other makes supplied them from new, and another member shared a photo of one quite recently in this very thread. A quite a lovely example, too.
DD
03-21-23, 11:47 AM
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Hmm. Which of the following current production tension leather saddles would you consider a "Brooks knockoff" and why?
Berthoud - France
Gyes (Cardiff, Dia Compe, Fenix, Fyxation, Lekker, Origin8, Papillionaire, Shinola, Sobdeall, Spa, Torelli, Velo Orange, Zimbale, etc.) - Taiwan
Ideale - France
Lepper - Netherlands
Nasiruddin (Gusti Leder, Persons) - India
Rivet - AFAIK manufactured in Taiwan by Gyes but to their own proprietary designs
Sella Italia - Italy
Selle Anatomica - USA
Selle Monte Grappa - Italy
Tabor - Portugal
Berthoud - France
Gyes (Cardiff, Dia Compe, Fenix, Fyxation, Lekker, Origin8, Papillionaire, Shinola, Sobdeall, Spa, Torelli, Velo Orange, Zimbale, etc.) - Taiwan
Ideale - France
Lepper - Netherlands
Nasiruddin (Gusti Leder, Persons) - India
Rivet - AFAIK manufactured in Taiwan by Gyes but to their own proprietary designs
Sella Italia - Italy
Selle Anatomica - USA
Selle Monte Grappa - Italy
Tabor - Portugal
03-21-23, 01:23 PM
#46
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Did you mean Brooks, or another maker? If so, do you happen to know the model?
I knew what the additional material's function was, but was unsure whether Brooks supplied a model from the factory with that feature, of if there were aftermarket additions could be added to Brooks saddles.
Definitely other makes supplied them from new, and another member shared a photo of one quite recently in this very thread. A quite a lovely example, too.
DD
I knew what the additional material's function was, but was unsure whether Brooks supplied a model from the factory with that feature, of if there were aftermarket additions could be added to Brooks saddles.
Definitely other makes supplied them from new, and another member shared a photo of one quite recently in this very thread. A quite a lovely example, too.
DD
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03-21-23, 01:37 PM
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The steel Brooks rivets have long been pretty ugly on the back side. The copper ones are solid and much nicer. I've seen some wider Brooks saddles that had a fabric reinforcement on the underside. Typically, manufacturers laminate when the leather they use is likely to stretch out otherwise. Brooks' leather used on their drop-bar saddles is quite thick and should not need reinforcement. They pride themselves on their leather selection process and the fact that they use almost all of a hide for different products, down to stamping out circles from remnants for their grips.
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03-21-23, 03:00 PM
#48
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tcs wrote: "Hmm. Which of the following current production tension leather saddles would you consider a "Brooks knockoff" and why?
Most quality looking saddles I see are branded somewhat. I certainly know what most of the saddles you listed look like, by their shape/materials if not the branding.
This saddle offered no clues. No markings. It did not look quite Brooks, but close enough that it made me wonder if Brooks ever made non-branded saddles just like Nitto made stuff for Specialized.
I took one picture because this group is made of such experts on the most esoteric of C&V parts, I didn't think more pictures would be needed. Further pictures would have offered no branding or other clues.
When I returned to buy the thing, it was already gone and I picked up a nice San Marco Rolls, pre-broken in.
And, I was right. After visiting the local Brooks dealer (after posting) with my one photo, it was immediately pointed out that this was in their opinion, an Asian "Brooks-like" saddle.
Not a troll, an honest question.
The bigger Portland swap meet is this weekend. If I see another quality looking "brooks-like" saddle for $15, I'll buy it on the spot.
Thank you for those who knew what this was and were gracious enough to point me in the right direction.
Most quality looking saddles I see are branded somewhat. I certainly know what most of the saddles you listed look like, by their shape/materials if not the branding.
This saddle offered no clues. No markings. It did not look quite Brooks, but close enough that it made me wonder if Brooks ever made non-branded saddles just like Nitto made stuff for Specialized.
I took one picture because this group is made of such experts on the most esoteric of C&V parts, I didn't think more pictures would be needed. Further pictures would have offered no branding or other clues.
When I returned to buy the thing, it was already gone and I picked up a nice San Marco Rolls, pre-broken in.
And, I was right. After visiting the local Brooks dealer (after posting) with my one photo, it was immediately pointed out that this was in their opinion, an Asian "Brooks-like" saddle.
Not a troll, an honest question.
The bigger Portland swap meet is this weekend. If I see another quality looking "brooks-like" saddle for $15, I'll buy it on the spot.
Thank you for those who knew what this was and were gracious enough to point me in the right direction.
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03-21-23, 03:02 PM
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Hmm. Which of the following current production tension leather saddles would you consider a "Brooks knockoff" and why?
Berthoud - France
Gyes (Cardiff, Dia Compe, Fenix, Fyxation, Lekker, Origin8, Papillionaire, Shinola, Sobdeall, Spa, Torelli, Velo Orange, Zimbale, etc.) - Taiwan
Ideale - France
Lepper - Netherlands
Nasiruddin (Gusti Leder, Persons) - India
Rivet - AFAIK manufactured in Taiwan by Gyes but to their own proprietary designs
Sella Italia - Italy
Selle Anatomica - USA
Selle Monte Grappa - Italy
Tabor - Portugal
DD
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03-21-23, 08:09 PM
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