Brooks non-leather saddle?

[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?