Mention "Brooks saddles" to most cyclists, and the first model that comes to their minds is likely to be either the B17 or the Professional. The former, as Brooks proudly states in its catalogues, has been in continuous production--almost unchanged--since 1898. Very few bicycle products--indeed, very few products other than, say, foods made by secret family recipes-- have been made for longer. A narrower version appeared after World War I and has been in production ever since. The Professional evolved from the B17 during the 1960s.
Other familiar models from the venerable saddle-maker include the B66, a sprung, double-railed model made since 1927, and the B67, which is a B66 made to fit modern seatposts with integrated clamps. (The B66 comes with its own clamp, which fits only on plain-tube seat posts.) Similar in size and shape to the B66 and B67, the B72 replaces the straight rails and coiled springs of the "sister" models with rails that loop at the rear. The B72--the saddle that came with many English three-speeds--offers a somewhat cushier ride than a B17 but not quite as boingy as the B66 or B67.
Other Brooks saddles have remained in production for decades and have loyal followings. They include the Swallow and Swift. The latter looks like a refinement of the narrow version of the B17, while the Swallow, with its cut-away sides, can be seen as a minimalist version of the Professional. It was popular with track riders until lighter saddles with plastic bases were developed during the 1960's.
Then there are the super-heavy duty saddles one still sees on utility bikes all over the world. An example is the B33, with its triple rails, rear coiled springs and front coils. If you are installing one on your bike, just be careful not to drop it on your foot or your cycling season might be cut short!
Anyway, other Brooks models have been produced for a long time--or have been reintroduced-- and have their loyal riders. Examples include the Flyer, introduced in 1927, and the stylish Colt--which, as the Brooks website slyly notes, was " first produced in 1979" but "discontinued amidst mysterious circumstances a few years ago". Mysterious circumstances? Hmm...was it "disappeared" by the MI6 during a covert operation in the Middle East?
Today, as I was browsing eBay, I came across a "forgotten" Brooks saddle: the B68.
I couldn't find information about its production history. But I know that it had a leather top of the same dimensions as the B66, B67 and B72. However, it did not have the coiled springs of the B66 or B67, or the looped rail of the B72. Instead, it had the straight rails found on the B17, Professional and other road saddles.
That last attribute might be the reason why it was discontinued. From what I've noticed, most cyclists who want wide saddles like the B66, 67 or 72 want springs or some other kind of shock absorption. And those who want cushy saddles aren't likely to look at any stretched-leather saddle. On the other hand, if you ride a B17 or Professional (I ride bikes with both)--let alone a Swift or Swallow--you would probably find the B68 too wide.
That left the B68 with a market that's, at most, a niche: People who ride in an upright position but don't want or need anything to soften the blows meted out by broken pavement and rocky trails. Interestingly enough, it might have been a good saddle for fat-tire bikes. With so much rubber between the bike and the road or trail, it's hard to imagine that a rider would need any additional cushioning from a saddle or any other part of the bike. I could also imagine a B68 on a bike like the Surly Long Haul Trucker, particularly if it is set up with handlebars like the Nitto Bosco or the Velo Orange Left Bank.
I can recall having seen only a couple of B68 saddles. But, from what I've read, the relative few who rode them loved them. Perhaps Brooks will hear from those riders and the B68 will no longer be the "forgotten" Brooks saddle.
Other familiar models from the venerable saddle-maker include the B66, a sprung, double-railed model made since 1927, and the B67, which is a B66 made to fit modern seatposts with integrated clamps. (The B66 comes with its own clamp, which fits only on plain-tube seat posts.) Similar in size and shape to the B66 and B67, the B72 replaces the straight rails and coiled springs of the "sister" models with rails that loop at the rear. The B72--the saddle that came with many English three-speeds--offers a somewhat cushier ride than a B17 but not quite as boingy as the B66 or B67.
Other Brooks saddles have remained in production for decades and have loyal followings. They include the Swallow and Swift. The latter looks like a refinement of the narrow version of the B17, while the Swallow, with its cut-away sides, can be seen as a minimalist version of the Professional. It was popular with track riders until lighter saddles with plastic bases were developed during the 1960's.
Then there are the super-heavy duty saddles one still sees on utility bikes all over the world. An example is the B33, with its triple rails, rear coiled springs and front coils. If you are installing one on your bike, just be careful not to drop it on your foot or your cycling season might be cut short!
Anyway, other Brooks models have been produced for a long time--or have been reintroduced-- and have their loyal riders. Examples include the Flyer, introduced in 1927, and the stylish Colt--which, as the Brooks website slyly notes, was " first produced in 1979" but "discontinued amidst mysterious circumstances a few years ago". Mysterious circumstances? Hmm...was it "disappeared" by the MI6 during a covert operation in the Middle East?
Today, as I was browsing eBay, I came across a "forgotten" Brooks saddle: the B68.
| Brooks B68 |
I couldn't find information about its production history. But I know that it had a leather top of the same dimensions as the B66, B67 and B72. However, it did not have the coiled springs of the B66 or B67, or the looped rail of the B72. Instead, it had the straight rails found on the B17, Professional and other road saddles.
| Brooks 68, side view |
That last attribute might be the reason why it was discontinued. From what I've noticed, most cyclists who want wide saddles like the B66, 67 or 72 want springs or some other kind of shock absorption. And those who want cushy saddles aren't likely to look at any stretched-leather saddle. On the other hand, if you ride a B17 or Professional (I ride bikes with both)--let alone a Swift or Swallow--you would probably find the B68 too wide.
That left the B68 with a market that's, at most, a niche: People who ride in an upright position but don't want or need anything to soften the blows meted out by broken pavement and rocky trails. Interestingly enough, it might have been a good saddle for fat-tire bikes. With so much rubber between the bike and the road or trail, it's hard to imagine that a rider would need any additional cushioning from a saddle or any other part of the bike. I could also imagine a B68 on a bike like the Surly Long Haul Trucker, particularly if it is set up with handlebars like the Nitto Bosco or the Velo Orange Left Bank.
I can recall having seen only a couple of B68 saddles. But, from what I've read, the relative few who rode them loved them. Perhaps Brooks will hear from those riders and the B68 will no longer be the "forgotten" Brooks saddle.
