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Home | Product Reviews | Saddle | Brooks Champion Flyer | ||||
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Submitted by
Anthony
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitehorse. YT, Canada
Date Reviewed: 12/28/2007 10:51:43 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $85 |
| Purchased At: | JensonUSA |
| Strengths: | Awesome comfort, durability, and looks great to boot. Definitely a conversation starter. Great for big clydes like me. |
| Weaknesses: | Kind of wide, can make it hard to get off the back of the saddle. Can make creaking noises. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Brooks B-17, WTB Laser V, various other saddles. |
| Bike Setup: | Rigid Karate Monkey singlespeed. |
| Bottom Line: | So comfortable that it feels like you're riding a couch, even on a rigid bike. I loved riding this on my MTB, but it was almost too cushy so I switched to a B-17. This saddle is now on my road bike. I'm one of the converted and will never ride anything else but Brooks saddles. |
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Submitted by
John Harmon
a Weekend Warrior
from Framingham, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: 5/29/2007 9:37:13 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Anything in AZ or UT |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $80 |
| Purchased At: | Harris Cyclery |
| Strengths: | Simply the best quality saddle made. Conforms to you over time. |
| Weaknesses: | Pricier than lightweight disposable saddles, that is, until you factor in the lifespan of the saddle which is rumored to sometimes be decades. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Specialized, flite, SanMarco Rolls(second best). |
| Bike Setup: | Old hardtail REI Novara. I keep beating it, it keeps working. What can I say? |
| Bottom Line: | For the first few rides, you may wonder if you made a mistake. Then, instead of making peace with the pain, you'll notice the saddle will breakdown a bit on top as it shapes to you. The other thing I've noticed is, not only do the springs absorb the bumps, but the leather itself seems to flex a bit when needed (think of a hammock type flex). This saddle makes me wonder if all that padding, gel, etc. on all the other saddles really does much. It might be a bit heavy but, now due to the comfort, I ride more and have more than made up the difference in my own weight. |
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Wayne, PA
Date Reviewed: 6/15/2006 11:28:30 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Perkiomen Trail- Audubon Loop |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $74 |
| Purchased At: | bikemannetwork.com |
| Strengths: | Classic style; supposedly lasts forever; disappears beneath you on long rides |
| Weaknesses: | Costly. Requires some break-in, maintenance and care that a vinyl saddle doesn't. Saddle is finicky about its and your position. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Last saddle was a Selle Royal Lookin mid-cruiser |
| Bike Setup: | K2 Newport with butterfly bars, Direct Curve brakes and WTB All Terrainasaurus Tires. |
| Bottom Line: | At the advice of Sheldon Brown I ditched my suspension post and went with this sprung saddle. Based on my results after two weeks of riding, about 80 miles total, I think this is going to be a great saddle. The first ride was the most uncomfortable but the discomfort only lasted about five minutes. Once I got settled into a comfortable position it sort of disappeared. For the next few rides it was uncomfortable for a couple of minutes at the start and then did the disappearing act. Now after about 80 miles of break in there really isn't any discomfort at all. The key is finding the exact saddle angle and fore/aft position and then getting into your own stable riding position. One interesting thing is that the saddle bounces when I peddle at too high a cadence. Originally I found that annoying but now I use the bounce as sort of a gear selector advisor. No problem sliding back on steep descents or to get extra leverage. The saddle stays cool even on hot days. In another month this should feel like my couch. Defintely worth giving it a try. |
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Submitted by
Denny Mayfield
a Cross Country Rider
from Sachse, TX USA
Date Reviewed: 12/5/2005 4:45:13 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Root River |
| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Price Paid: | $70 |
| Purchased At: | Wallingford |
| Strengths: | Comfort |
| Weaknesses: | Have to be careful with leather and moisture, but a raincover for the seat just about takes care of everything. |
| Bike Setup: | Trek 520 w/Extended Stem, Blackburn racks, front and rear |
| Bottom Line: | The world would be a wonderful place if everything worked as well as this simple, time-tested product. If you have any interest in touring, this is the seat to do it on. Very comfy, but it takes getting used to after skinny racer boy seats. |
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Submitted by
Steve Burgess
a Weekend Warrior
from Covington, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: 8/13/2005 7:41:50 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Price Paid: | $90 |
| Purchased At: | wallingford |
| Strengths: | comfort, durability, comfort, shock absorbtion, comfort, it's a B.17 on springs (B.17 is the best road saddle which, by the way, is what is on my road bike) |
| Weaknesses: | leather - watch out for rain, occasionally treat w/ conditioner, very occasionally adjust w/ spanner. weight - what's the big deal? How much does a full water bottle weigh? |
| Similar Products Tried: | I've tried them all and I don't have enough space to write all the problems I've had with non-Brooks. |
| Bike Setup: | front suspension w/ hardtail softened w/ Brooks Champion Flyer springs is my best combination |
| Bottom Line: | Brooks makes so many sizes, shapes, and models of leather saddles (Do you know why bicycle seats are called saddles? Brooks Saddle Company made the first bicycle seat.), that anyone of any size or weight should be able to find the right seat/saddle. |
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Submitted by
Casey Greene
a Cross Country Rider
from Kent,OH, US
Date Reviewed: 11/16/2004 5:17:27 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $68 |
| Purchased At: | www.wallbike.com |
| Strengths: | Comfort |
| Weaknesses: | Nothing |
| Similar Products Tried: | Velo Plush |
| Bike Setup: | Brooks Champion Flyer saddle is on a Hardtail Gary Fisher Marlin frame set up for touring with ShiDXT derailers, Original front wheel, Rear wheel: chris king hub laced to a sun ryno rim. shimano crank and cassette. tubus cargo rear rack with ortlieb backroller panniers. ortlieb handlebar bag. kmc chain. |
| Bottom Line: | This Saddle has prooven itself to me on numerous trips and tours. i had about a 200mile breakin time with the leather, and about 500miles for the springs. Brooks saddles are the best you can get. next time though i will probably get a model that does not have springs to save weight; however, i will never buy another brand of saddles (unless Ideale comes back in buisness. i also hear there is a small company in holland or belgium that makes nice hard leather saddles). Bottomline: there are brooks saddles for every type of cycling, and if your bum is important to you, get one, and take care of it. |
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: 6/5/2003 5:22:23 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $70 |
| Purchased At: | www.wallbike.com |
| Strengths: | Perfect anatomical shape. Leather seems hard to the touch, but however it gives the perfect amount of cushion (when combined with your existing body weight and built in cushion - even for thinnest riders). Hard leather is also the absolute coolest material I've ever used. The springs on the champion flyer are extremely firm and do not bounce while riding (at least for me). The springs offer just the right amount of cushion for hard jolts and jumping up and down in the saddle. Absolutely you must get this saddle from wallbike.com. Best service and no questions asked 6 month warantee. If for any reason you don't like the saddle, you can return it no questions asked! |
| Weaknesses: | You have to treat it annually with proofride - but this takes 15 minutes. It's heavy at about 2 lbs - not for weight weenies. It is too wide to get behind on steep descents, and is not likely the perfect MTB saddle, but it's still very good for xc. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Selle italia flite Ti gel, Serfas dual density, Avocet (old school), Trek no name saddles. |
| Bike Setup: | Litespeed Blue Ridge, vintage Trek 720, Trek 9.9 - all with same saddle. |
| Bottom Line: | Most comfortable saddle you can buy, handmade in england and not from china or taiwan, but weighs 2 pounds. |
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Submitted by
Lenny Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA
Date Reviewed: 2/25/2003 11:06:32 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $68 |
| Purchased At: | http://www.wallbike.com |
| Strengths: | Comfortable beyond comparison, quality of workmanship, a certain amount of elegance associated with it too. |
| Weaknesses: | It isn't so much a weakness, but since it is perhaps the most critical interface between the rider and the cycle, so you must adjust it correctly and do very minor maintenance from time to time. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Lots of plastic seats |
| Bike Setup: | Hard-tail mountain bike set up for loaded touring. |
| Bottom Line: | The best money you'll spend on your bicycle is that which makes it more comfortable for you to use. Having said that, you can't get a better ride than on a correctly adjusted leather saddle from Brooks. "Numb nuts" and other common ailments are a thing of the past, and because it is leather, it feels cooler to ride on also. I'd feel fairly safe in saying that most cycle discomfort is a result of incorrectly adjusted components. Take the time to learn how the seat is supposed to be used and follow the factory directions. You won't be sorry, and your seat will thank you for it! |
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Submitted by
smokey strodtman
a Cross Country Rider
from gilliam, MO USA
Date Reviewed: 8/16/2002 9:52:21 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | rock bridge state park, landahl trail |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $60 |
| Purchased At: | www.wallbike.com |
| Strengths: | COMFORT!!!!!!!, appearance, reasonable price, dealer service (Wallingford Bikes is GREAT to deal with!). |
| Weaknesses: | i guess some would say weight, but the most overweight component on my bike is the rider! |
| Similar Products Tried: | selle italia tri-gel, terry liberator, koobi, stock selle san marco (OUCH!!!!). |
| Bike Setup: | Lemond Poprad cyclocross bike, sora 8 spd STI shifters, specialized armadillo 700X28 tires with stan's original tubeless system. |
| Bottom Line: | i've got several seats here, all with their good and bad qualities. the koobi has found a home on my fisher hardtail, although i sometimes use the selle italia if the trail is really gnarly and requires a lot of movement and hanging off the back. i had not found a seat that was comfortable enough for my road rides on the Poprad. read many reviews on brooks saddles here and decided to give wallbike a call. talked to bill laine and he explained their 6-month return policy and the best way to care for the saddle. i bought a champion flyer because i thought the suspension would be good for my lower back problems. i got my saddle in TWO DAYS! put it on the bike, treated it with proofhide, as bill recommended, and went riding. the break-in was not bad at all, pretty comfortable right from the start. treated it several more times and it kept getting more comfortable. you can tell when a brooks is broken in because there will be an exact impression of your sitbones in the leather. i usually take several 25-30 mile road rides each week (sometimes up to 50) and i absolutely love this saddle. it works best if you mount it slightly nose down. it also looks very good on my bike, i got the honey color. it darkens with use, but still looks very classy with the copper rivets. some complain about maintenance with a brooks. come on! i can treat mine in less than 5 minutes, and it's a lot cleaner job than chain maintenance. i've been caught in hard rain storms with no cover, and have had no problems. if it sets out in the rain, then you would definitely want to protect it. 5 smoking chilis for the champion flyer, wallingford bikes, and bill laine! |
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Submitted by
Florian
a Weekend Warrior
from Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Date Reviewed: 6/23/2002 4:31:38 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | 90% street / 20% dirt (...huh?) |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Purchased At: | 50 |
| Strengths: | Quality. Craftsmanship. No pain. Soft, dry, cool, and I like the retro-look. People tell me it would last forever and I believe them but mine got stolen after just three months, arrggh! |
| Weaknesses: | Expensive, heavy, needs maintenance. European bike-thieves seem to know its value and extrapolate onto the whole bike! |
| Similar Products Tried: | Noname gel-padded "racing"-style, Nishiki Hard-as-a-rock, Selle Italia |
| Bike Setup: | Nishiki Hybrid Pro (no suspension). |
| Bottom Line: | My experience with this saddle was somewhat the opposite of the folklore behind it: First, it didn't need any breaking-in but was comfortable for the sitbones from day one. Second, after a three-hours ride on day two, I felt the beginning of a slight CPS (Cold P*nis Syndrome). So maybe it was a little too soft for my 200 pounds. (You didn't expect a Brooks to be *too* soft, did you?) However, this is not so bad because on a gel-padded sattle I suffer from CPS after fifteen minutes! Third, I sweat a lot, but this saddle kept the skin on my backside perfectly dry. (Leather! The folklore was right here.) Fourth, the leather surface is very smooth! I liked this because my trousers didn't chafe, but you offroader-downhiller-rockjumper-types out there may consider it a major weakness because you will always slide a little on the saddle when you rather need control. So... My next one will be a a Conquest, or a Professional, or even a Champion again, but in any case a Brooks! |
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Submitted by
stan grayson
a Weekend Warrior
from marblehead ma usa
Date Reviewed: 4/27/2002 4:49:46 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | the street |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $68 |
| Purchased At: | wallingford |
| Strengths: | Comfort and quality -- one of the few totally satisfactory new products of any sort that I've bought in a long time. The Champion Flyer is ideal for use on an upright/around-town/commuter bike. It is wide and its springs really work. It transformed the kick-in-the-butt ride of my aluminum frame Marin San Anselmo. |
| Weaknesses: | None yet but if you left it out in the rain, you might be sorry. |
| Similar Products Tried: | The sprung saddle standard on the Marin San Anselmo was the right idea but too narrow for anything longer than 20 minutes of riding. |
| Bike Setup: | Marin San Anselmo w/7 speed Nexus, fenders, rack, pannier, riser stem. |
| Bottom Line: | The way the molded leather shape of the saddle adopts your bottom's shape makes for a unique product. I expect I'll be replacing my road bike's Flite with the appropriate Brooks. |
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Submitted by
Frankie
a Weekend Warrior
from SDCA
Date Reviewed: 3/31/2002 10:43:18 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Purchased At: | http://www.southbaybikes.com |
| Strengths: | Soft and comfy |
| Weaknesses: | Heavy |
| Similar Products Tried: | Flite |
| Bike Setup: | Raleigh single speed |
| Bottom Line: | Get you a Brooks saddle, you @$$ will kiss you for it |
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Submitted by
Alec
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: 2/18/2002 11:52:04 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | the ride home from work |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $68 |
| Purchased At: | bicycle workshop |
| Strengths: | quality design - a big comfy thing for my big ass |
| Weaknesses: | a bit heavy - whaddaya expect, look at it, lol |
| Similar Products Tried: | as previous |
| Bike Setup: | specialised crossroads a1 |
| Bottom Line: | oh man, still the bee's knees, i'm luvin it luvin luvin it... |
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Submitted by
Alec
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: 12/9/2001 6:36:11 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | the ride home from work |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $55 |
| Purchased At: | bicycle workshop |
| Strengths: | perfect commuter saddle, absorbs shocks and potholes, extremely comfortable - like sitting on a plush sofa from heals |
| Weaknesses: | well you have to proofide it, and it's kinda heavy |
| Similar Products Tried: | viscount vt2, specialized body geometry, terrys liberator, wtb speed v |
| Bike Setup: | crossroads a1 |
| Bottom Line: | oh man, in utter misery, i've gone through so many saddles, and experienced every kind of pain to every part of my azz as well as *that pain* that only male riders could know.... ...i checked up on brooks here on this very site and read the testimonials on the web, before e-mailing brooks themselves and asked them which model would be best for me ...i got a very thorough and helpful reply from nick, who pointed me towards brooks expert ninon, who runs bicycle workshop in westbourne park...she knows every darned thing about brooks! ...well she helped me choose this lovely retro-looking champion flyer (less wide than the conquest and not embossed like the b67) and although it's only been a short time, let me tell ya, my azz is in heaven!! i can ride all over this town without fear of potholes and speed bumps anymore, lol, cause the spring suspension in my damned saddle will take care of it ;) ...i'll post again in a few months after it's run-in, oh man, can you believe it's going to get even more comfortable over time?!! as the english say, that's bloody marvellous, that is |
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Submitted by
The Right Reverend Dick
a Cross Country Rider
from currently lurking
Date Reviewed: 11/5/2001 11:40:57 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Rainbow Crest |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Purchased At: | Aquarian Bicycles in Monterey |
| Strengths: | Stylee COMFORT FO YO ASHE. Shock absorption fo yo ashe. |
| Weaknesses: | Are you a weight weenie? It is a boat anchor. Okay, it is wide for getting behind the saddle on steep stuff, but you get used to it. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Allubdem. |
| Bike Setup: | This saddle is currently on an old Nishiki touring frame which has been converted (post carwreck) into a fixed gear monster. 39x15. And keep those brakes, my friend, you'll need em. |
| Bottom Line: | Forget the marketing and mass hysteria. Get this saddle and put it on yer bike. It is springy like we like when we are spun out on a bumpy descent and are literally unable to stand on the pedals or use our legs like "steel springs, boy" for anything other than windmilling. This saddle is made from a natural, renwable resource. It will last a looooong time. During this time, it will not fray or tear or suddenly not be cool. I like it, and to hell with the weight. |
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Submitted by
Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from FL
Date Reviewed: 4/20/2001 4:13:51 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Nunya |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $75 |
| Purchased At: | http://www.wallbike.com/Products.html |
| Strengths: | More comfy than any seat I've ever used & I've tried many. |
| Weaknesses: | Back of thigh slap on downhills. |
| Similar Products Tried: | You name it I've probably tried it! |
| Bike Setup: | Habanero ti with Manitou SX-R w/lockout, Velocity Deep-V rims, XT hubs, Alivio crankset, SRAM cogset, SunTour thumbshifters, STX-RC rr der, XTR fr der, SH-545 pedals, CODA brake levers, OnZa Raw barends, Selle San Marco Regal suspension seat & homemade ti seatpost. |
| Bottom Line: | This seat is definitely the most comfy I've ever owned & it'd still be on my ATB if weren't the intolerable "back of thigh slap" I've experienced with it on downhills. Makes mincemeat out of the back of my upper thighs on rough downhills which is a 1st for me. Won't go to waste tho -- I'll put it on my touring bike. As an ATB seat I'd have to give it a zero but as a road seat a five. |
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Submitted by
Steve Kurt
a Cross Country Rider
from Dunlap, IL
Date Reviewed: 7/2/2000 11:48:13 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Strengths: | The wonderful fit and support of a Brooks B.17, with extra ability to absorb those jolts that threaten serious injury to your backside. This is a saddle that you can use on rough roads on a no-suspension bike, and be comfortable at the end of a 200 mile day (I've done it). |
| Weaknesses: | Even for a Brooks, this thing is heavy. For my commuter bike, where I'm already dragging around fenders, lights, racks and bags, the extra weight is irrelevant. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Brooks Pro, Brooks B.17, Brooks B.5N |
| Bike Setup: | commuter |
| Bottom Line: | This is a saddle to keep your backside happy. |
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Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester,NY
Date Reviewed: 9/15/1999 |
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| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Strengths: | Comfort, looks, comfort |
| Weaknesses: | If weight is a concern, buy a plastic seat. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Avocet somrthingorother, Selle Italia |
| Bike Setup: | Giant ATX-760 |
| Bottom Line: | This is a B-17 with springs. I bought this saddle from Wallingford (www.wallbike.com, 6-month, money-back guarantee), and have been very satisfied. It's soo comfortable that my legs wear out before my butt. It absorbs nearly every jolt, even tree roots, and I don't have to stand to relieve the pressure. Why buy a saddle and a suspension seat post when you can do better with a Brooks saddle for half the price? The design is quite elegant, without glue or plastic, and it looks great on my bike (those springs add a nice retro appearance). There was little, if any break-in required. If you want a new experience in riding comfortably and with style, buy this saddle! I'd give it more than five if I could. |
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