[craig749]

So my quest for a new saddle continues and the main one I’m considering is the Brooks Cambium C17 Carved.

As I’ve never used a Brooks I’m wondering if anyone has tried this saddle? if so what did you think of it? I know the main down side is the weight, but that doesn’t really bother me. From all of the reviews I’ve read it sounds like a really comfortable saddle, but was after some feedback before getting one ordered.

Thanks

Topic

[robert.brady]

Most Brooks dealers have test
Most Brooks dealers have test saddles available so you can try before you buy. Well worth it, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

I have a C17 which I bought
I have a C17 which I bought for my #2 bike to try it out. Because it’s rubber there is no breaking-in period in the way there (allegedly) is for a leather saddle. The C17 was comfortable from the start, and is a good saddle.

The downside for me, by comparison with a leather saddle, is that the C17 has a textured cloth surface, so you don’t slide about on it.

On my #1 bike I had a Brooks B17 for about 4 years and put about 20,000 miles on it. I retired it last year when I found that the leather had sagged so much I was just sitting on the frame and it had become uncomfortable.

I replaced it with a Berthoud Aspin, which is superb – better than either of the Brookses; it’s as hard as a cricket bat, but very comfortable.

Neither of the leather saddles has needed breaking in for me, they’ve been comfortable immediately, so I must have an ass of steel, or marshmallow, or something. Breaking-in seems to be something that varies from person to person.

[therevokid]

the c15 i had required no
the c15 i had required no breaking in at all (and is the same sizes as the carved
version). quite comfy, just too round in cross section for me.

[craig749]

Thanks for the advice. I’ve
Thanks for the advice. I’ve only just realised that Brooks have recently released the C15 in the carved version so I might go for that as it’s only 140mm wide. What was the breaking in period like? I went to look at the C17 in my LBS the other day and it feels rock hard, although I’m sure its not as bad as it feels.

Thanks

[Markopic]

It depends on the type of
It depends on the type of bike that you ride – C17 is advertised as Touring and Trekking type of saddle. I had been using C17 for several months on my road bike, and I had nothing but problems, mostly due saddle being too wide. I have switched to Swift and it fits my road bike much better.

If you plan to use it on a road bike, I would suggest C15.

[Meaulnes]

I’ve got the C17 Cambium (not
I’ve got the C17 Cambium (not the new carved one) on my road bike and like it very much. You can always buy it, try it and sell it on on eBay or on here if you can’t get on with it; Brooks things tend to hold their value.

[Author]

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