Team Tested: The Ultimate Saddle Showdown

I had a suspicion many of our team members would be choosing their Brooks saddles for this article, and I'm no exception. My B17 has almost two decades of ass-perience, making it my go-to saddle for summer bikepacking trips. But when we moved to Vancouver Island five years ago, my relationship with the Brooks started to shift. The winters here are rideable but incredibly wet, and in those first two years, I nearly destroyed my B17 due to water damage. I had to spend a summer semi-restoring it, which is why I now ride more regular padded saddles.

Currently, I use two non-Brooks saddles: a Chromag Lift on my mountain bike and a BBB Spectrum 145 on my gravel bike. To be honest, I had never even heard of BBB until my Landyachtz arrived with a bunch of BBB components. Aesthetically, the Spectrum isn't much to look at—it resembles countless other saddles—but it has proved to be absolutely awesome over time. Out of the three saddles I own, it's the one that sees the most action, with roughly 10,000 km on it. The fact that I've never complained about it is a testament to how good it is. Whether I'm riding in town, gravel, or singletrack, the Spectrum rules. I'm getting a new gravel bike soon, and there's no question—the Spectrum will be part of that build.

There are people who can ride almost any saddle without much trouble, they might even be happy with a wooden beam––Mattie, for example, is one of the lucky ones. I, on the other hand, have always had problems with saddles, so I sometimes felt almost like the princess and the pea. Hard to believe, but it also has its advantages, namely that you're able to perceive differences between various saddle models or positions more easily. One of my absolute favorites for sporty rides is the Berthoud Soulor. In addition to the usual benefits (shock-absorbing, adapts over time) and disadvantages (weight, break-in period) of a leather saddle, for me, the comfort is simply outstanding. Most saddles can be ridden on a short tour but this is one of the very few saddles I can ride for hours on consecutive days without pain. Happy bottom, happy rider!

A few notes on my rating: There are no top points for performance because the saddle is comparatively heavy––I'm happy to accept the few extra grams. Durability deserves full marks, as all the individual parts of the saddle are available for purchase. This means it can be easily repaired at home and theoretically lasts forever. In terms of comfort, it's excellent, but since I'm super sensitive, I reserve 10 points here only for the living room couch.

As a bicycle shop owner, one of the most frequent questions I get is, “What's the best saddle?” My answer is always, “There isn't one 'best' saddle, but there's definitely a 'perfect' one for your butt!” And yes, that means you'll have to test it out yourself. Here in Thailand, Brooks saddles are quite popular, but I'll be honest—I'm not a huge fan. I used to ride with a Brooks B17 Carved, but given our high humidity and frequent rain, I decided to retire it to bike decoration status. I've also tried the canvas version, but I found it uncomfortable. Plus, the top part of the saddle would tear way too easily from even minor contact with my shorts. Not fun.

So, I set out on the hunt for something better. A fellow cyclist recommended the Fabric Scoop, and ever since, I've been riding with my new best friend. First impression? It felt great right from the start—none of that awkward break-in period. At first glance, I thought it might be more suited for road cycling, but then I tried it on an adventure route, and surprise—it's a perfect fit! Especially when using the drops, it aligns just right. Another big win for this saddle? Durability. You can ride rain or shine without any special maintenance. No need for saddle creams, no babying it because of the weather—it's as low-maintenance as it gets. It also has a sleek design that complements my bike without stealing the spotlight from my “cutie” (yes, I'm talking about my bike). The steel rails are a nice bonus, offering extra longevity without the hefty price tag.

There are three points of contact on any bicycle: pedals, grips, and saddle. In my mind, these are the three most personal and vital components on any bike. I run Shimano XT SPDs. I favour Lizard Skin 3.2mm bar tape on drop bars and Ergon GA3 grips on flat bars. Until recently, I used Specialized Romin Evo Pro with Mimic saddles on all my bikes.

My saddle preference changed when I had the opportunity to try a Reform Seymour. They're an industry-first heat-moldable saddle that offers a truly customizable fit. I installed it on my bike, set the bike up on my trainer, jumped on the bike, and baked it into the ideal shape.

It was not love at first sight [use]. The Reform saddle is noticeably more firm than my Specialized saddles and I didn't immediately appreciate the nuanced improvement in overall bike comfort. As the kilometres piled on and days on the saddle added up, I came to realize that it had become the perfect saddle. Not because I would ever describe it as comfortable, but rather because iit had become a completely invisible part of my bike. Whether I spend one hour or 16 hours on the saddle, I am always comfortable. No saddle sores, no chafe, no discomfort. Simple comfort for unlimited miles.

From a performance standpoint, it also ticks every box. It's lightweight, tipping the scales under 200g. The carbon rails make it stiff, too, so it doesn't flex or bounce. The seat texture is also somewhat grippy, which really helps hold me in place when pedaling and limits any need to adjust my position when riding.

Some people find choosing a saddle as challenging as Goldilocks finding a good bed to sleep in: This one's too soft, this one's too hard! Eventually, however, most people find a saddle that is Just right!

Personally, I think my bottom is like the antithesis of Goldilocks, it's just not that fussy. I've never had a problem with saddles and most of the time I just keep the stock saddle a new bike comes with, or the saddle the bike's previous owner sold it to me with. However, there is one saddle that I've moved from bike to bike over the last decade, even going so far as to buy a second copy for a new bike build, and that saddle is the Brooks B17.

It can take a little time to gel with a Brooks saddle, but I think the investment is well worth it as you can get years of great riding out of a saddle and it just keeps getting comfier. I'm not sure that there's another saddle out there that can boast the same. The ample space around the rails and classic bag loops also make it excel in the saddlebag carrying arena.

I've sat on more saddles than I have bikes which is saying a lot for this old guy. I have more saddles than bikes in my garage which is no surprise. My flavour for both has changed over time however, there is one saddle that floats between all my bikes. It has more kilometres under me than I can count and has left the greatest impression on me and the least impression on my arse — The Brooks Swift. If advanced manufacturing innovations make finding the perfect saddle easier than ever, why do I ride a leather saddle built with 130-year-old technology?

The journey of owning a Brooks begins far from perfect: the seemingly rock-hard perch requires upwards of a thousand uncomfortable kilometres to break in and if you dare to ride off-pavement during this time, it will bring back unpleasant playground memories of your so-called friend giving you a hard drop off the see-saw. Over time though the buttery-smooth leather gives way to reveal the dents of your derriere. I'm sure you have noticed that I've given my Swift a custom anatomical cutout. I guess you can't stop some progress, right? Carved models are available with a center cutout, while other leather saddle makers like Selle Anatomica have stopped making models with solid centers altogether—just say, ah.

The price of a Brooks is on par with most mid-level saddles, however owning a coveted piece of English heritage requires more than the break-in entry fee, there's care & maintenance to keep the leather supple and tensioned properly as it stretches. Brooks are still hand-crafted as they were over a hundred years ago, but after you break a second tensioning bolt you may wonder if the parts are just as old.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Brooks. There is something intimate about riding my well-loved leather saddle. The unmistakable feel of freely sprung leather as it gently cradles my nether bits one pedal stroke at a time. More akin to a comfortable, life-long friend who has been by my uh, underside, giving me moral support as I experience life from the perch of my bicycle. From my perspective, what comes easy in life doesn't last long and what lasts, doesn't come easy—so why should a life-long saddle be any different? I've put in my dues and my Brooks Swift has been with me longer than the countless bikes I've owned. I have a feeling it will also outlast me.

Like most, I've experimented with many saddles over the years and have come to realise I have two main criteria that I focus on when choosing a one. First, obviously, is comfort. The other, which I rest entirely too much weight on, is aesthetics. Oddly, despite never really seeing what's under your arse while on a ride, I put a significant amount of importance on the looks of my chosen perch. Balancing saddle sores against eyesores. As a result, I tend to vary my choice of seat to suit the steed.

On my more speedy bikes, I've got a selection of saddles from Specialized, with similar shapes, widths and pressure relief channels. These suit the lighter vibe and tend to fit my behind well when riding in a faster position. For my adventure rig, I want something more rugged with more of a rustic and timely appearance. While this type of bike is for a more leisurely pace, it also needs to be comfortable for long days back to back. Enter the Brooks Cambium.

I first discovered the C17 when it was launched and immediately ordered one for my touring bike. I've had a bit of a love/hate relationship with them since. They don't need the wear in period of the leather saddles, but I find my behind does and the Cambium always take a few km before it feels right, on every ride. They have that timeless, hand made look about them that holds onto the stories they've seen as they weather and wear. Like an old wooden chair that feels hard when you sit on it but you somehow love it and feel safe and homely when sat upon it, they're a little harsh at first but somehow the right shape to make it ok. I favour the Classic C17, with the metal chassis and cotton top and find it feels more comfortable and natural than the All Weather nylon finished version. This may be completely psychological but I'm definitely aware of it. They're super hardy and shrug off scuffs and scrapes like an old pair of boots. If I were to set off round the world on a bike, I'd want one of these to rest my well weathered butt on.

A legendary throne forged in the depths of the underworld, the Brooks B17, and I won't be the first to say it, is the saddle dearest to my behind. But to be blessed by its unholy bliss, one must endure a hellish initiation: a tough leather surface — the hide of some godforsaken beast — binds you in torment from the very first mile, resisting your every move like chains from the abyss. Patience. Persistence. Perseverance. The B17 will test all of these traits through and through. Those who pass ascend to silky, supple salvation; with time, the saddle softens and yields in gradual surrender until you're free — unleashed from the shackles of hell into a heavenly realm where comfort and serenity prevail.

There is a reason Brooks has been crafting saddles for 142 years and counting. There is also a reason five of the six saddles I own are a B17. They're heralded as the gold standard bicycle touring saddle for a reason. But I must be honest; I have little to compare them to because, due to their reputation, I've been perched upon B17s from the start. And now, tens of thousands of global bikepacking kilometers later, I've still never had a saddle sore. So why try anything different? Unholy bliss.

As a cyclist who just loves riding bikes I've always simply lived with the fact that my behind would suffer on long rides. So for years years and years I would endure the equation of long ride equals saddle soars. This would all change after my first real bike fitting with Cody at Flexion Bike Fitting. We spent the time going back and forth testing out over twenty different saddles from a variety of companies, some well known and some new to me. NinetyK Saddles was one of those brands I had not heard of prior to the fitting and I really thought nothing of them. But after what was a sort of blind taste test for my ass, I chose the NinteyK Jam.

The Jam is a saddle that's built for both road and gravel riding that boasts a few key features that help it perform in the important realm of comfort. First with its patented Arc-Tech rail technology that allows improved flexibility and shock absorption. Second with it's cut out zone, something I noticed immediately, making every position from the tops to deep into the aero bars comfortable. I love this feature as it eliminates those small tweaks to saddle angle that were previously necessary if I threw my Aero bars on for long distance riding. Last but not least the Air-Form technology. NinteyK claims this material is 30% more shock absorbing than competitors reducing fatigue and increasing pedal comfort. My thoughts on this tech is that it somehow feels softer without being softer, if that makes any sense?

At the end of a long day of riding all that a person can ask for is that their saddle didn't take anything away from the experience on the bike. There have been days where I have called it quits early because of fatigue from a junk saddle. Since the mounting of “The Jam” I can confidently say that it is no longer an issue. It really is the ultimate combination of aero design and comfort, giving me the comfort of a well molded Brooks B17 Saddle with the lightweight aero design of a high performance modern racing saddle and at reasonable price of $180 CAD there's really no reason not to give it a try.