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Submitted by
roy22791
a Weekend Warrior
from Jefferson City, MO
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Katy Trail (Rails to Trails) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | Hartsburg Cycle | | Strengths: | It's a Brooks! The looks, design and quality are unsurpassed. | | Weaknesses: | This one is difficult to break in - kind of pricy too. | | Similar Products Used: | Brooks B17 Special, and others not worth mentioning | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale 2001 Road Warrior 1000 - hybrid | | Bottom Line: | My first Brooks, the B17 Special, I sat on for 12,142 miles (thats 19,547 km) of flat trail cruising, mostly in dirt/gravel. Very comfortable and very quick breakin. The Swift is not quite there yet and I have over 600 miles of sitting on it. Have adjusted the tilt twice and hopefully will get where I was with comfort soon. I am an avid Brooks fan, think it is the best looking part of the bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mikko
a
from Helsinki
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Kämmenlampi tour | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Beautiful, durable and works for me | | Weaknesses: | Price I guess | | Similar Products Used: | Selle etc. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro Expert | | Bottom Line: | Excelent saddle so far. I used it in a road bike at first, but decided to give it at try in the trails and won't be going back to the "regular" MTB saddles. Breaking in period was fast.
My ass deserves this saddle - big plus is that you'll get the cowboy reputation ;) Let's see how it will survive the winter here in the north... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kz
a
from Chandler, AZ
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Laser Stealth, horrible stock Body Geometry (2003) | | Bottom Line: | As soon as I got into mtbkng in 03 I had numbness issues in my toes and thigh. I eventually figured out that my saddle and my sit bones were not in tune. I tried the WTB Laser Stealth, and it was an improvement, but not enough better. I went to the Brooks, as so many reviewers rave about them and my issue led me to think that this was my best hope.
I labored over which Brooks to get, but I settled on the Ti Swift.
I'm happy with this saddle. My problem is not completely solved, but it is far better than with the other saddles I rode. Break in was not a big deal, but after about 100 miles the saddle was noticably more comfy. At 200 miles I felt that it was there. I regularly do 20+ miles on rocky terrain, and while I still have a little numbness that comes and goes, I never have that "I gotta get off this frickin saddle" thing.
I'm glad I got the Swift vs the B-17 or Team. It just seems like the right call for mtbkng. I can get behind it easily, it isn't horribly heavy, and it looks the part. It has the doofy bag loops, but I haven't gotten caught in them and I ride in baggies. One thing to be aware of is that the rails on this saddle restrict your seatpost choices. You need a post that clamps a little farther to the rear. I use a Ritchey WCS post and it barely permits the saddle to be far enough back. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AJ
a
from Northeast US
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$174.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Bottom Line: | I ride road and cyclocross bikes, and I've owned the Professional, the Colt, and B17N, so I'm used to riding a Brooks.
With the Swift I get numbness after 15 or 20 miles, but not quite as bad as it was with the B17N. I also didn't care for the way the Swift's Ti frame flexed while pedaling, but I think it's designed for that and some people would like it.
Also, the shell had a tendency to 'give' too much. (I weigh between 193-204 lbs. depending on the season.) Probably the sagging could be remedied with lacing in the center or tightening up on the tension nut a bit. It wasn't a lot of sagging, but just needed to be a little more rigid for me.
Break-in wasn't bad, after just a few rides it was OK. Not at all like breaking-in a Pro. (ugh!)
Just my luck that overall the Swift's shape and construction didn't work for me, because it is a cool looking saddle, and it's light for a Brooks. Even so, I think it's overpriced.
Like any other saddle, it might work for you, but you don't know until you actually try one yourself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from miami,florida
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$155.00 | | Strengths: | nice looking, very confortable | | Weaknesses: | can't find one so far | | Similar Products Used: | wtb lazer | | Bottom Line: | the nicest loking saddle I ever seen, everybody will ask you for the saddle of your bike. little expensive, but you pay for what you get. very confortable so far you get use of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bad Vee
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | Comfortable, attractive, light. | | Weaknesses: | I'm a little paranoid about damaging it. Seems pretty durable, though. | | Similar Products Used: | Other Brooks, WTB, etc. | | Bike Setup: | CX bike | | Bottom Line: | My ass is glad I spent the big bucks. It really is a great saddle. Far better than any plastic saddle I've ever ridden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A. Fatman
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldafing
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Yes | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS Munich | | Strengths: | Yes | | Weaknesses: | 100g heavier than the light ones,IF you care. Surface wimpy. | | Similar Products Used: | all. | | Bike Setup: | Kerf Generation 1996 | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up. One of the best buys I ever have done. I still don't know how they do it at Brooks. But this is the most comfortable saddle I know. Before I got it, I would give the coconut to the old Flite Titanium. The modern, Gel and so on saddles are not for me. And it keeps your ass cool in summer... VERRY Recomended. And a fine piece of craftsmanship, too. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
amir
a Weekend Warrior
from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | kiara | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | bikepro | | Strengths: | The most comfortable saddle I have ever owned. I did not experience the so called suffering during the initial breaking in period. Perhaps it is just hype. I do not know. In fact I rode in a 12 hour event two weeks after purchasing the saddle without any adverse consequence which I know other saddles would have no doubt inflicted upon me. I applied proofide after almost every ride for the first 1 month and the depression began to appear within 2 months or so. The honey coloured Swift has since formed a darker shade which gives it a rich texture. It looks better now than when first out of the box. | | Weaknesses: | The saddle rails are a bit short. I could not use the saddle on a Thompson post without being perched too far forward. Found a Race Face lay back seat post for the saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized BG (painful), Selle Italia SLR on my roadbike (only 125 grams but was a torture instrument), Selle Italia Trans Am (did not learn any lesson from the SLR experience), Titec Berserkr (large and well padded but surprisingly very uncomfortable) and countless other saddles in the past 18 years | | Bike Setup: | SC Heckler, Vanilla fork, 5th Element coil over, thompson, Chris King, xtr groupset, mavic UST rims and hutchinson octopus | | Bottom Line: | The Swift is one of the lightest Brooks but even at 375g with titanium rails, there are many lighter saddles out there. If weight saving is a premium then it is not the saddle for you. Its comfort is however unparalled and because of that I can put in more hours on the bike than I would on a lighter but less comfortable saddle. Don't be put off by the breaking in hype or tales about how the saddle doen't take kindly to moisture. Proofide it periodically and it will be fine. It rains a lot and the humidity is very high here in tropical Malaysia but the saddle has held up really well. Other expensive Italian saddles I have owned in the last three years have all gone to shreds. The ownership of a Brooks saddle is in itself a worthwhile experience. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade Patton
a Racer
from Woodbury
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Upper Loop@ Fall Creek Falls | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | wallbike.com | | Strengths: | Form and Function and that Saddle Leather Smell. It's BUTTastic! | | Weaknesses: | techno/weight freaks will disown you. boo hoo. | | Similar Products Used: | SI Trans-Am Max Flite (freakin mouthfull), Koobi, WTB, and many more. | | Bike Setup: | Custom-shop (OTR) Tig-welded steel roadie. (Road Bike Review has no place for Brooks reviews!?) I have bought a second Brooks for my SS ATB already! | | Bottom Line: | I was very nervous that I'd suffer during "break in". Well, count me lucky--my arse is happy on this one out of the box.
Just try one. SIX MONTH MONEY BACK return policy at Wallingford. How can you go wrong?
I can ride a brick on my mountain bikes. Just ain't seated enough for problems there--although I do prefer the WTB line for off-roading. On the roadie I was dying during/after longer rides after an hour or two the nerve that runs by/through/under/near my sit bones would get inflamed/impinged/funky and I'd get tingling/numbness in my legs and feet and a MEGA SORE A$$. So I'd pedal harder to take pressure of my butt and that works until the quads crap out and then what? Misery--and the notion that you know kinda what the Tour feels like.
So I play with angles/tilt/height and lots of snazzy plastic saddles. No success until TODAY. I slapped my SWIFT on after I globbed Proofhide on both sides. Put twenty-odd miles on it and my butt be happier ALREADY!
Yes, that's a very short ride, but I can certainly tell the difference. And it gets better? SCHWEET.
NOTE: A longer bolt may be necessary to get the nose down on Thomson-type posts. Mine has just barely enough threads engaged to be safe. I'll get a longer one tomorrow.
Beauty. Not many parts as pretty/traditional/functional and problem solving as this one.
Oh, and when you see that the rails AND frame are Ti on this one--you'll understand the price tag a little better.
Full house on chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chuck cypert
a Cross Country Rider
from dallas, the metromess
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Ore Road | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Classic beauty, timeless design. | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than your average high-dollar saddle. Limited fore/aft adjustability because of short ramps on the rails. | | Similar Products Used: | Ti Flites. | | Bike Setup: | Steel Schwinn Paramount, DA gruppo with Ultegra STI shifters. | | Bottom Line: | Yeah, you gotta have a certain butt to really appreciate one of these saddles, but if you have that butt there is nothing that makes it more comfy on a long ride. The leather is thinner than many Brooks to keep the weight down so it may not be ideal for a heavy rider, but for me (185 lbs) I will never need to replace another saddle on this bike I expect.
Goop it up good with Proofide (bottom too) and set it in the sun for several days in a row and it is ready to start breaking in your butt. Once the two grow together you will understand why goofy old guys like me love these things. Or you will think you have found the ultimate torture device, there seems to be no middle ground on whether these are comfortable or not. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris foller
a Weekend Warrior
from SLC
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Similar Products Used: | I have had Brooks saddles for the last 20 years. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome saddle ... but it finally broke. I have had this saddle for about 6-7 years. Unfortunately the welds that attach the frame of the saddle to the rails fractured on a pretty technical MTB ride.
I am not sure if someone can fix this but I'll try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Zichron Ya'acov, Israel
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with big hills! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford Bicycle Parts | | Strengths: | Hand made to a very high standard (90% hand made compared to an average of 10% for most other saddles), top quality leather, comfortable, shapes to your own anatomy, retro looks and different. | | Weaknesses: | Slightly heavy (only 80g more than my Selle Italia Flite Titanium), not totally waterproof. | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Flite Gel Titanium (three of them), WTB, CODA, Rolls, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur, XT and XTR, Hope, Chris King, Rock Shox Psylo SL, Thomson, Easton, Mavic 517, etc..... | | Bottom Line: | I've only ridden once on this saddle. When I took it from the box I thought how uncomfortable it looked, it reminded me of a rock, however, I was more comfortable riding 35 km on this than my Flite...and this is even before the breaking-in period has begun. So, from the other reviews I have read this saddle will get even more comfortable with time. The saddle is truly a piece of quality hand-made craftmanship, top quality leather and copper rivets. From the other reviews I've read it will easily last 20-30 years compared with the average of 2 years my other saddles (mostly Selle Italia Flites) have lasted. $150 seems a lot to pay, but really with this quality and the lifespan it has it seems more economical. After all, Brooks have been making saddles for 140 years, they must know a thing or two...anyhow the human anatomy hasn't changed in this time and with a Brooks you get a totally customised saddle to the shape of your butt. It's a shame that most Mountain Bikers don't know the Brooks saddles, the company need some serious marketing to appeal to the masses of riders out there who want a comfortable perch..it seems that only tourers and roadies know and respect the brand. If you live in a hot climate it's also excellent - less sweating! Thanks also to Wallingford Bicycle Parts for their excellent advice on which saddle to buy http://www.wallbike.com/ (do I get a commission?) I was confused and thought that Brooks were only for old guys on old-fashioned touring bikes - How wrong I was!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Cumbernauld, Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Bottom Line: | Quite simply the best saddle in the world. Nothing comes close for personalzed comfort and retro appeal.
If you own a bike that's worthy of the best splash out it's the best money you'll ever spend and you will stand out from the crowd.
Finally your investment will be helping to keep true craftsmanship alive and there's little enough of that, so come-on dig deep - it's worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miguel G.-D.
a Cross Country Rider
from Hoyo de Manzanares (Madrid, Spain)
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any non-flat trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$108.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclecentre online, UK | | Strengths: | Confi saddle, excellent finish, sturdy. | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy (is this really a weakness?). Better save weight somewhere else... | | Similar Products Used: | Avocets, Selle Italia (Turbo, Flite, Trans Am), San Marco (Concor, Regal Girardi), WTB, Specialized. | | Bike Setup: | Installed on a '02 Turner XCE | | Bottom Line: | 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.
Happy trails.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fatman
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldafing
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs munich ostbahnhof | | Strengths: | saddle | | Weaknesses: | looks very retro (might be an advantage for some), a tiny bit heavier than most expensive saddles, a bit bulky behind | | Similar Products Used: | practically everything | | Bike Setup: | DeKerf Generation 1996 | | Bottom Line: | Had saddle problems for an endless time and have tried a fast selection of mtb saddles. So, after having stumbled across these review, I bit the bullet and bought a Brooks (this Swift)for a really tough amount of money. When I looked at it the first time, I was terribly dissappointed: this suposed to be a comfortable saddle? Ridiculous! Just some Ti Rails an' some thick leather. After one month of breaking in this saddle is a revelation. Instead of getting nasty after the usual hour of riding, this thing gets the more comfortable the longer you ride. I don't know how it is done. But it works. THIS SADDLE HAS TERMINATED A 15 YEARS' TIME OF SADDLE PORBLEMs. period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daner
a Racer
from Stockholm, Sweden
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | yea, right! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Not so LBS | | Strengths: | Forms to fit you
Exclusive
Retro
Pretty (to me anyway)
Great for long periods of time in one riding position | | Weaknesses: | Loooooong break-in
Needs TLC
Not so great for varying positions | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Hakkalugi, drop bars, XT triple front, Ultegra triple STi. Ritchey SpeedMax CX tires wrapped onto Mavic Open Pro/Ultegra wheels. | | Bottom Line: | Great saddle for high-mileage roadies. Fits great after break-in in the riding position of choice, and the smooth leather surface is great for avoiding hot spots.
I've been on it for more than 100 days now, most of which were commuting so nearly 200 individual riding sessions, but I still can't get the thing to be comfortable for both road riding on the hoods and trail riding in the drops. With the height and tilt right for the hoods, the unforgiving nose just kills me on fast, bumpy sections taken in the drops. If I adjust the tilt to stop killing me when I'm riding aggressively on rough terrain, I feel like I am sliding down to the front of the thing when I am up on the hoods, making it difficult to relax.
It will get moved to a road-only ride, if I ever break down and buy one.
Value Rating 3 because if it works for you it will probably last forever, but if it doesn't it is way too expensive.
Overall Rating 3 because I really like it, but only part of the time. Hopping on a friend's bike and liking their seat better does not make me feel better about having spent this much money. I've done the break-in right, I've put in the mileage, but I only get some of the payoff in one position at a time. The Brooks legend remains a myth in my mind. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Cumbernauld, Scotland
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Campsie Hills | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$128.00 | | Purchased At: | Dales Cycles | | Strengths: | "Old world" craftsmanship and unsurpassed build quality distinguishes this top of the range Brooks from anything else on the market. Individual and distintive looks with best quality leather and copper rivets only add to it's appeal.
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.
After a short "breaking in" period the saddle moulds itself to your body's individual contours in much the same way as your favourite pair of walking boots did.This is truely nature's answer to anatomical fitting.
In summation quite simply the best bike saddle in the world for anybody cycling over 100 miles per week, or anyone who can afford the best. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | I still have a Brooks Colt and a Brooks Conquest. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized "S" Works M4 Hartail; XTR everythng; Ritchey Bars, Stem & Seatpost with Brooks Swift; Rock Shox Judy | | Bottom Line: | If you've got a bike that deserves the best and you can afford it get one; there's nothing more comfortable. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kris
a Cross Country Rider
from wisconsin,NY, & Cally
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | employee purchase | | Strengths: | the most comfortable seat on earth!!!! looks cool, lasts forever. | | Weaknesses: | break in peroid hurts like hell.seemingly expensive, but in the long run not so much. | | Similar Products Used: | selle flight, sdg 7000, wtb, etc | | Bike Setup: | fsr, xtr drivetrain&brakes&hubs, raceface turbines, thompson post&stem, ct2 bars, zoch mxc ecc. | | Bottom Line: | Oh my god it hurts at first, but it is so worth it. It forms perfectly to you after roughly 2 months. Expensive yes, but worth every penny. It will last forever, great construction. when other saddles will fall apart after a couple years, this saddle will just be entering its prime. You can pry it from my cold dead hands. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Amman Verzosa
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, Washington
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Dash Point | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallbike.com | | Strengths: | Comfort & great looks | | Weaknesses: | A tad on the heavy side, but who cares. Loose weight somewhere else like around the belt. | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Flite, Flite Gel, Prolink Gel and Prolink Trans Am. | | Bike Setup: | Serotta ti frame w/ full DuraAce groupo & CK wheels. Colnago Technos w/ DuraAce/Ultegra groupo & Spinergy Xearo wheels. | | Bottom Line: | Best saddle I ever had. Got confortable on it right off the bat... no break-in phase. Great looks!
The only problem I have with it is myself. I got talked into selling it by some weight winnie biker friends, that it weighed a ton. Man! What a fool am I for listening to them. Anyway, I blame myself for letting it go, and I'm buying another.
Personnaly I think it's great looking saddle, and I can ride a double century with no sore spots on my buttocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Appleton
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | flower trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | wallingford bike | | Strengths: | comfort, looks & retro factor | | Weaknesses: | price, but worth every penny | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager,San Marco, Avocet 02 etc. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Cronus | | Bottom Line: | Although Brooks fans don't like it's titanium chassis, it's a thoroughbred Brooks saddle all the way. Contrary to what you've heard or read, this saddle is not uncomfortable brand new. Actually mine fit well right away & I rode a 24-hour race the week after I bought it. If you have a thin hip structure this one should work well for you. Heavier, guys with a stocky body style probably won't like it. I did do some leather prep for the 1st week working Proofide treatment in with my thumbs, especially where your sit bones rest. It's expensive, but I had a major problem with my legs & crotch numbing up and my wife gave me the go ahead. More of you should try this approach! Buy one from Bill at Wallingford. If you don't like it, you have 6 months to return it in used condition for your money back. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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