Brooks England Swift Bicycle Saddle

Product Information

This is the saddle to get if you suffer from problems such as hard feeling, pain, numbness, or if your butt just gets a too warm due to limited transpiration of the saddle, even using those with gel... and especially in hot summer days. In my case, breaking-in process of the brooks has been fast; probably because I just felt good with it from the start (good for me). But this thing just gets even more confi with miles since the leather progressively adapts to your anatomy. Also, since the leather is porous and this saddle does not have any plastic hardshell in the bottom, it actually "breaths", avoiding that excess of heat mentioned above. If you consider the average lifespan of a brooks, the excessive price of a brooks swift may be questioned. I highly recommend this saddle to any cross country rider looking for a confortable, finely made and sturdy great-looking item period. Another classic design for the racing cyclist, the B15 Swallow’s design was originally patented in 1937, when it became a popular choice for professional cyclists in the UK and on the Continent. The construction is unique; with the best quality saddle leather moulded over a titanium frame. This ensures that it will last forever and allows the leather to breathe naturally i.e. no padding to absorb sweat and distort.

Everything you need to know about the Brooks saddle range Everything you need to know about the Brooks saddle range

Swift is one of the first modern gent's racing Brooks saddles. It was traditionally available only with titanium rails, but since 2008 it has also been manufactured with a chrome plated steel metalwork. Both versions feature skived sides and hand hammered copper rivets. Brooks Swift Chrome Saddle Features Many models are available with or without a cutout. In my experience, these aren’t as beneficial as they are for synthetic models, as, once broken in they're essentially redundant. However, they do make for a saddle with a little more initial give, as the removal of the central material allows the sides of the upper to sag inwards a touch, which can cause the side wings to flare out. This is why you’ll often see saddles with cutouts having a web of cord under to hold the sides in place. Perhaps think of them less as relief channels, and more as break in relief. the jaws are plastic, so there is no rust-marking of the wet leather. Let the leather dry out slowly. So it was, that when my 21st Birthday approached this spring, and my parents wanted to get me something "memorable and special, that will last a lifetime"; instead of a watch, wallet, or cufflinks, I opted for a Brooks England Swift saddle. I do like things that potentially last a lifetime and am therefore seriously considering splashing on a brooks saddle, for me road bike.

Now, contrary to what I’ve said above, leather saddles don’t really like getting wet, and you should do your best to protect them from the rain as much as possible. Fortunately, when you’re sitting on one you are doing a pretty good job of protecting the upper from the rain. The underside however is very vulnerable to tyre spray, and as such it’s recommended you use mudguards. If like me, you think mudguards are a vibe then this won’t concern you much, and you should take it as confirmation that you are also a person of great taste and distinction. If however you can't, or won't, run fenders then your options are a saddle cover, or a staunch refusal to ride in the rain. I once test-rode a Schwinn Paramount with a worn-in Brooks that was posterior heaven, and that is why I buy them, but I have more nerve than nirvana so far. My riding weights on these started at a skinny 130lbs in the 70s, up to ca 190; but for this Swift, prob 185 down to 170 or so. The main reason I hear that puts people off using a leather saddle is the break-in period. There are horror stories aplenty, but it needn’t be as bad as all that. Each manufacturer has its own recommended system, and if you dive into any forum or message board there are a tonne of leather saddle fanaticists, each with their own secret to breaking in. I’ve no doubt the following will enrage some of them, but this is my go-to method for breaking in: One coat of leather conditioner focusing primarily on the underside of the saddle, and one very wet ride of no longer than two hours. It is worth noting that some manufacturers like Berthoud pre-apply a grease before sale to aid waterproofing, so you needn't add any yourself for the first year.

Brooks Swift - BikeRadar

With a Cycling Weekly subscription you can improve your performance with our expert practical, nutritional and training tips Swift is one of the first modern gent's racing Brooks saddles; traditionally available only with titanium rails, but since 2008 it has also been manufactured with a chrome plated steel metalwork. Too me (a multiple Brooks user, oldest from 1988) it has always been part of ownership that if they get soaked you can’t sit on them until slowly dried without direct heat and then treated, or they sag. This in my knowledge has been the way since day dot.

Me to. That’s why I fitted a swift. Thing is though if you fit one to a road bike that hasn’t got mudguards and ride it in the rain that lifetime will be less than 24 hours. In fact, despite the claims that it takes hundreds of miles to 'bed in a Brooks' I found that straight from the intricate box, the Brooks was very comfortable. Subsequently, Brooks England saddles have caught my eye adorning so many great bikes; from the Rapha filmsteeds, to B17s on famous round-the-world bikes.