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I'm after a brown/leather saddle to go on my bike. Want a classic look. I also want to not worry if it gets wet.
I know the Cambium hasn't the history, nostalgia or perhaps the sexiness of a traditional leather Brooks saddle, but it is waterproof.
In my googling I saw the Brick Lane Bikes brown Raven saddle. I'm assuming faux leather.
Can anyone vouch for either?
Anything else to consider? Cheers!
The cambium isn't really that "classic" look but for me the C17 was a revelation in comfort. Lots of flex absorbs shock/vibration/whatever without any padding. I love it on gravel/Road. Haven't tried it on mtb but might. Just not sure it won't be a bit wide and therefore restrict some movement about the bike. The C15 I do have on a mtb has much less flex however, or maybe it's just a bad fit for me, or doesn't suit the riding position, but I find it uncomfortable.
In the couple of years I've been on them I've found nothing to worry about from getting them wet, but they've always been stored undercover so I guess with a modicum of care leather would've been OK too.
I have a C15 limited edition on a road bike so it's the first iteration and was never described as waterproof.
Looks good, it's comfortable but nothing special.
The latest version is described as waterproof but I don't know if they do in brown.
You don't say if it's for road or gravel or offroad.
Selle Italia, ProLogo and Ritchey do brown saddles in real and faux leather/suede.
You could trawl through the Planet X offerings - they're guaranteed to have something brown; all you have to do is...find it.
Sorry... For road /gravel.
Got brown faux leather bar tape with ti frame.
The C17 Cambium comes in bronze & there's a matching rubber bar tape. I had leather bar tape on my gravel bike & it was horrid.
The C15 is only available in black all weather now.
I got on well with both.
I have a brown C17 on my gravel bike and it not only looks lovely but as @luket says, it’s a revelation in comfort. Best saddle I have in that respect.
I swapped my B17 for a cambium (17, a short/ladies one cos it was and I am cheap) for damp-fear, it's comfier.
I find the C17 very comfortable for long day rides, my longest ride is 400km. On tour, there was some slight discomfort after a few days but nothing serious. I have the original cotton version and it seems to survive the rain.
One thing to note, I've seen one break right across the nose, and there are further reports on the web.
fixed up an old bike and used Charge Spoon which looked nice in tan a sort of retro-style. Found some matching bar tape too so did the bar-ends with that. Turned out nice but not as comfy as the Brooks Team Pro Special that came on my current bike, not by a long shot. ymmv, as it seems a lot of people get on with the Spoon?
I had that Spoon saddle years back. I find they suck up water a fair bit.
I returned an early c13 which cracked across the nose. The replacement had a different grey layer visible on the underside. I assumed this is to reinforce the saddle and prevent cracking? It would be interesting to know if people with newer cambium saddles still have problems with cracking or if this is a historic issue they have resolved with a change?
Selle Italia do a few, mostly look like they need a bit of looking after (leather or Nubuck) but there's a Novus 'gravel' saddle in there in brown.
Got to say, now that I know how well the Flite shape suits my ass, the Mitica is suddenly looking like a very comfy option...
I have both the Cambrium and leather brooks saddles, first the b17 and recently the b17 narrow imperial which I’m still breaking in but is Already pretty comfy and a thing of beauty
Yes, have a C17 and also a C13 Carved, for the tarty lightweight bike. C17 fits me better and is my favourite saddle ever. Doesn't hold water and achieves the highest accolade a saddle can get - you simply don't think about it.