After seeing the owls and the hawk, I returned home via Thatcher Avenue.
When I arrived home, invigorated, it occurred to me I should post feedback on my new Brooks All Weather C15. When I looked at my bicycle, I realized I had made a few updates over winter and I should have fun reviving Wild Onion Bicycle to share my review.
I had had known for some time I needed to replace my 14 year-old Brooks Champion Flyer. The leather had stretched beyond adjustment, causing me to drill new holes and using Allen-headed bolts to replace the rivets. Despite my best intention, the nuts worked loose several times and I'm not a loc-tire person. I had also doubted for many years the efficacy of the seat springs, especially for my light frame. I was also enthusiastic to have a lighter seat, too!
along the way, I had admired the Brooks Cambiums when they first came out but ended up not taking the plunge for reasons I've forgotten, but recent reviews showed they looked pretty terribly threadbare after a few years use.
Buying a seat is a difficult proposition because unless you have access to a bike shop with loaner seats, you have little idea how a seat will work out. I had tried the various methods for measuring my "sit bones" with little luck. Even studying the indentations on my old seat provided uncertain data.
Even whether to buy a carved or uncarved seat provided more uncertainty. I knew I would like the benefits of a carved seat, but the plethora of reviews shared mixed thoughts at best.
Despite this confusion, my first choice was definitely the Berthoud Aspin. And despite the price, the only aspect keeping me from the purchase of this beautiful honey brown French saddle was the weather proofness. This last characteristic kept placing me in the Cambium doldrums.
Then I happened to see the new Brooks All Weather Cambium with the nylon cover which promises to be much more durable. Then, I came across a carved C15 which is a little narrower than the C17 Cambium I had assumed to get despite suspecting I could be more comfortable on a narrower seat. At the price it was being offered at, I decided to buy it and find out. Mostly, I would have a seat that wouldn't cause me to worry about moisture.
So far, so good! It doesn't feel too narrow, my bars are a little lower than my seat anyway. It does feel a little harder, even with cycle shorts, but I do feel less perineum pressure. My initial impressions are this promises to be a decent seat for my long commutes and hopefully century-length rides. However, I have a feeling the Berthoud is the superior saddle for comfort and see one in my future...
