Brooks non-leather saddle?

[Catrin]

I just saw this on a new kind of saddle from Brooks (http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/content/brooks-introducing-new-rubber-and-cotton-saddle) made from rubber and cotton (and other things). There is a link to sign up for a chance to test the new saddle...that might be an interesting experience. THIS is the page to sign up to be a beta tester (http://www.brooksengland.com/cambium/) - I figure I've NO chance on being selected but it would be fun :) According to Brooks there is no break-in period or maintenance.

[Jolt]

Interesting...I just signed up as well. Probably not much chance of being selected but it's worth a try. I've been toying with the idea of trying a Brooks saddle but the leather ones sound high maintenance...this new one sounds like it would eliminate that issue.

[murielalex]

Signed up. Love my Brooks saddles, and am getting a new B17 (great new colors) for my Kirk build. I am very interested in a waterproof one.

[Catrin]

Part of me would like to try a Brooks leather saddle again but my butt is still gun-shy. The new design, materials is guile interesting. I need to find a replacement for my SI LADY saddle anyway as it wears out so quickly.

[malkin]

I didn't see the dimensions on the page, but C17 sounds like it will be the same width as B17 which is for me not wide enough. So, I'm curious, but not signing up.

[Catrin]

I didn't see the dimensions on the page, but C17 sounds like it will be the same width as B17 which is for me not wide enough. So, I'm curious, but not signing up.

I wondered about that myself, but my problem with the B-17 wasn't the width if my memory is correct. I also need a cutout so am wondering about that but the odds of my being selected are so very slim that I doubt this will come up. One of the questions they asked on the form is a weight range, that one surprised me a bit but it's not the first time I've seen that.

[ny biker]

I have relatives who are allergic to latex. So my first thought is that a rubber saddle could be a serious problem for some people.

Also I would want to be able to clean the cotton cover. Often.

[Sky King]

interesting, will go read about it. We sell quite a few brooks saddles but I love my Rivet Pearl, woman owned company based in Sacramento (no, not usa made, saddles are made in Taiwan) I like leather because it molds to your body, actually breathes- makes me wonder about the new model of brooks and it is not hard to maintain at all.

[Eden]

I feel like I spend so much of my riding time totally drenched up here that a suspended leather saddle like a Brooks would simply be a bad idea.... but this one could work. Just for the heck of it, I signed up to see if they might pick me as a beta tester.

[pll]

Was anyone picked as a tester? Has anyone tried a Cambium?

[Jaclyn]

I've been riding a Cambium on my randonneuring bike since January this year. I like it a lot. I have several other Brooks leather saddles, and had some difficulty with the break-in period with them (I gave one to my husband after 1500 miles of discomfort).

My first ride on the Cambium was about 40-50 miles, and it was immediately comfortable. I've since done 6+ centuries and a 200k with no problems. The material is "sticky" (I am not able to slide around in the saddle like on the Selle Anatomica or Fizik saddles I use on our tandems). The saddle has a surprising amount of flex, but it does not provide the "hammock" like sling of a leather saddle. I think it will be durable, but it is too soon to know.

As a note, there were a lot of these installed on bikes at the National Handmade Bike Show in Charlotte this spring. New models were introduced, a new color (a truer black), and they now have an option of a center slit. I have seen quite a few being used by other randonneurs. I've heard they are hard to find and in short supply.

[pll]

Thank you Jaclyn! Sounds appealing for gravel riding, especially with the slit.

[Sky King]

We have the cream one in stock. Have a customer that has given similar feed back as Jaclyn. The DH rode it and said it seemed nice - he only went a short way. I also know they are making one with denim, I wonder what one does when the fabric wears out? Guess we shall see.

[pll]

Thanks Sky King! I found out that my local shop has demo saddles from Brooks that I can test for up to a week. I will give the Cambium a try.

[Sky King]

Awesome, can't wait to hear what you think. I like the fact that it doesn't have the side fenders like their leather ones.

Thanks Sky King! I found out that my local shop has demo saddles from Brooks that I can test for up to a week. I will give the Cambium a try.

[pll]

So I think I will get a Cambium after all. After riding with it once, I tried a Specialized saddle (I think a Ruby) on a 4 hour gravel ride and I was very uncomfortable. Today I rode nearly 5 hours and I would have liked to lower the nose a little more, but the seat post won't allow me to do so. I will get the version with the cutout. The one thing I am trying to figure out is whether to get the C17 or the C17S, which supposedly is for women, and has a shorter nose. Brooks-connoisseurs: any opinions on the "S" type saddles?

[polly4711]

I just spoke to my bike shop about this. He said that many of his lady riders cant tell a difference between the S andnon-S. Its a 13mm shorter nose and unless you are very petite it is not necessary. I'm 5' 8" so I shouldn't be able to tell'

The main thing he discussed is how the saddles have all worn very differently. For example: two customers with the more beige looking saddle. One rides in jean shorts (is a messenger and her saddle has become blue ish. The other commutes and uses her bike as her main vehicle usually wearing black jeans and her saddle has become more white, . ' Both of them love it.

[pll]

Thanks Polly!

I went with the carved c17 in charcoal and I am liking it. I still have to fine tune the fore/aft position, but it is the most comfortable saddle I have tried. I am no longer in pain and I am not getting lower back pain either. You can see it in the picture below.

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[nuliajuk]

I can't help wondering about the UV resistance of this combination of materials. Neither cotton nor natural rubber have very good resistance to ultraviolet light, and cotton is not a particularly strong fiber. Linen or hemp might have been better, and if they'd added carbon to the rubber to resist UV, that would have made it a better buy. Perhaps Brooks will sell replacement tops for it?

[thekarens]

I just spoke to my bike shop about this. He said that many of his lady riders cant tell a difference between the S andnon-S. Its a 13mm shorter nose and unless you are very petite it is not necessary. I'm 5' 8" so I shouldn't be able to tell'

The main thing he discussed is how the saddles have all worn very differently. For example: two customers with the more beige looking saddle. One rides in jean shorts (is a messenger and her saddle has become blue ish. The other commutes and uses her bike as her main vehicle usually wearing black jeans and her saddle has become more white, . ' Both of them love it.

FWIW I have a the regular B17 and when I'm in the saddle I don't notice any difference. The problem is when I'm stopped. I'm short so there's not a lot of room for me to stand to begin with and with the b17 I get stabbed in the back when I'm stopped due to the long nose. Not a big deal for me.

[pll]

I will add two things to my 'review' of the Cambium saddle:

It was fabulous over a long, bumpy, ride. I rode it on a long gravel ride (95 miles and change for the day), with good stretches of washboard. I could feel the saddle flex and cushion the impact when other saddles would have killed me.
It's heavy at 400g (when you can get saddles under 200g, even under 100g). I would hope Brooks could make it lighter but I will probaby use a lighter saddle for cyclocross.

[antimony]

The saddle on my Brompton has been wearing a bit, and I've been thinking of trying a Cambium as a replacement -- but I had one TMI-ish question that would be best asked here: for the people who have them, how badly would they potentially stain if one bled on them? I don't regularly try to bleed on my saddles but it's happened. The black one didn't look that black and I wasn't sure it'd be sufficient not to stain. (I'd probably get the black one anyway to avoid blueing it with jeans.)

[pll]

Thanks Polly!

I went with the carved c17 in charcoal and I am liking it. I still have to fine tune the fore/aft position, but it is the most comfortable saddle I have tried. I am no longer in pain and I am not getting lower back pain either. You can see it in the picture below.

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A little over a month later, I think the color has faded a little bit. It does not bother me, but it might be worth noting for those worried about stains. This is a picture I just took of it..

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