Brooks C17 Cambium: 2 Year Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ม.ค. 2017
- Brooks makes some the best saddles money can buy, but how does the Brooks C17 Cambium fair after 2 years of regular use?
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So, I watched this vid and promptly hopped on eBay and found me a cambium carved, new in box.
It arrived yesterday , I fit it up to my State 4130 and got my first ride in today. So happy with it.
I'm a rather large cyclist, that said, numbness is going to happen, this saddle puts it off for a good while and I could go all out longer with less fatigue.
It's heavier than the Fizik it replaced but I DONT CARE! it's comfy!
Thanks for the info.
I bought a cambium carved for a tour from Italy to Amsterdam. I rode about 100 miles per day and did not once get sore. Love Brooks saddles.
Hi Zach, hope you've been well! Came back to this video and you've helped me purchase a C17. Thank you!!!
Hi. Inspired by your last video, bought a black C17 couple of months ago. Got a deal on a second hand for 90$. Aside from my Sugino Messenger, this had been the best addition to my bike and made huge change to my riding experience. You have my butt's sincere gratitude.
the part where you tell me im doing great makes me keep coming back to this video, sometimes we just need a pat on the back
thanks for sharing! will stay with the Brooks leather sattle, require some little maintenance and a rain cover like the last 19000 km but still great in shape all the hot summer and snowy winter seasons.
Concur with your review Zach, I have both the C17 and B17 saddles. It's true that my leather saddle is more comfortable (minus the first 350 miles it took to break it in and being terrified of getting it wet and misshaping it.) Both are heavy but I love every bit of the brooks saddles and I don't think I'll ride anything else after having them.
You're hugely underrated, dude. You deserve way more subs.
Your vids have gotten better, but always good.
Bought a Cambium for my Langster based on your recommendation. As a result, I can no longer have children but my whip gets major street cred... 😞 Actually, it's probably one of the better saddles in my stable. So comfortable, I've been looking at its C13 variant for my Threshold. Thx for the vids, really enjoying your channel.
I have this saddle and it's great.
Good sounds!
C19 carved all weather. All the comfy, even less maintenance.
like how your posting videos more often!
Jose Leal i agree
I ride the Forza 4za saddle that came with my Ridley Fenix AL and I am loving it. Didnt think I'd get lucky with the stock saddle
B17, absolutely LOVE it. I've heard people complain about the break in period. Mine was perfectly comfortable from day and gets better and better all the time. Yes, you have to oil or wax it occasionally. I don't mind, it's just part of owning a leather saddle. And it isn't light. Well, neither am I, I could afford to loose 20-30 lbs of body weight. Until then, I'm not going to worry about a few extra grams on my bike. After this video, I'm interested in trying the cambium on my commuter.
you have a great presence on camera, good to watch.
Yep, agreed.
I ride a C17 Carved and I have to say, it was worth every penny spent, it's the most comfortable saddle I have ever used
Just got a C17 saddle for my bikepacking setup. Not concerned with the extra 200 grams over my other WTB saddle but wow is this thing comfortable. For guys like me with no natural padding (read: skin and bones) wearing chamois is a must but I have ridden it for about 1.5 hours in just shorts no problem. It is harder than most saddles which will take beginners by surprise but it is supple and moves up and down with bumps. For all-purpose, all-weather riding this is one of the best saddles out there. If I were to be touring long distance I would definitely go with the leather B17 because it is that much more comfortable. Once the B17 breaks in, it fits like a glove.
wow, your production quality seems to go up by the video, I only discovered your channel a couple of weeks ago and have since thrown away my life just to watch your videos (exagaratiom)
I've started watching your channel since that old video
I ride a Brooks B17 Titanium, and I've done thousands of miles on the thing over the past 7 years. It is so comfortable, I don't even notice it... It looks the bollocks too...☺
I bought my C17 in the beginning of 2015. After two months and a longer bike tour the rubber cracked along the side and was replaced by my supplier. Now with the replacement a new crack formed in the saddle right behind the metal nose. My father also had a C17 and it has cracks as well after 1.5 years. No doubt its comfortable but in terms of durability my experience doesn't speak so well for the C17.
Ive been eye balling this saddle for years but couldnt get myself to pull the trigger, after applying some discount codes on REI's website I finally purchased one for $60usd! I cant wait to put some miles on it and see what all the fuss is about.
I'm about a season into (1500km?) My C15, and I still love it. Very comfortable and looks almost new after 1500k, not bad.
I use a 'Honey' coloured Brooks B17 Imperial, used daily for commutes and has covered about 1000 miles in nearly a year. I try to keep it dry but it has been wet. Very comfortable and still looks nearly new. Is due for treating though
I did 2500+ miles on my Leather Brooks Saddle and it is holding up well. The Leather took about 300 miles to feel good but the saddle was fine out of the box. I'm not sure I would like to ride this saddle more then 10 miles without padded shorts but I doubt I would on any saddle.
I get hard hot spots with mine even with a good chamois. I might give it a shot again, but my b17 seems to be treating me better.
never tried a Brooks, but I did have the cambium for a couple months but went back to my selle anatomica
That rubber squeak! bloody annoying at time. Thanks for the advice. I always thought it was the motion of the saddle in the housing.
I ride a terry flx and love it!
OK. You convinced me. I just found one new for $79. Can't say "no" to that.
The leather saddle is pretty rad AFTER you break it in. If you condition it, and take care of it you are set! I've had my leather b17 for 4 years now, and it still looks amazing.
Been riding a B17 classic daily for six years. It was originally dark green and now it's color can best be described as blah, but I kinda dig it that way. other than the color changing, it has held up as advertised and I'm sure it's not even half through it's useable lifespan. It is comfortable and I love it for my use, but most of my riding is my daily commute (about 25 minutes each way) and on weekends I ride all day, but with frequent stops. Also worth noting... I too wear normal, everyday clothes when riding as dressing like a sperm isn't my thing. The few times that I've ridden long day rides (70-80km-ish rides) my butt gets kinda sore, and I would guess there are more comfortable choices of saddles for that.
What kinda bike and still got that saddle haha ?
@@771shadowolf Hi. Yes, it's still going strong. Thanks for asking. It's on my daily commuter bike, which is an old lugged steel-frame with a hodgepodge of second-hand and a few newer parts that I assembled about six years ago. I got the frame off an old abandoned bike, and I have no idea what kind it is. My best guess is some 80s or early 90s Taiwanese frame... based on the original components and that fact that I live in Taipei.
I own a b17 and just bought a c15 carved. the b17 is nice but maintenance can be a chore at times with the leather.
I have a b-17. Heavy as hell but the most comfortable saddle for any century ride or longer. Good in street clothes as well.
Though it looks heavy, it really is not.
i need one of these in black, my san marco saddle is already too worn out lol. plus itll match my colossi low pro wayyy better.
Have you tried the new ‘All Weather C17’ with the nylon coating?
Can you do a video on restoring old fixed gears
Zach can you make a video on how to skid with and without straps
I managed to score a C17 on eBay for less than $100. Stuck it on my Fuji Feather, and it's pretty rad (Only got about 50 miles on it, though). It's a *little* to wide in the back for my sit bones. I reckon I'd have been better off with a C15, but I couldn't find one in rust for cheap enough. So maybe it's not *quite* as comfy as the Specialized Romin I've got on my road bike (about 7000 to 8000 miles on that), but I'm pretty happy with it.
I bought two Brooks C17 saddles when a local bike shop closed, and I've loved the saddle and rode it for several years, but the seat rail broke! I'm a bigger rider (6'3" and 225-230 lbs), but I've *never* broken a saddle before. Never. I'm super disappointed and trying to find replacement rails, but no joy yet.
I've been waiting for this video; seems like that seat gets mostly bad reviews. Will comment further once I've actually gotten a chance to watch this
Just picked one up about a month ago. Still need to pitch the nose down a bit cause my bits can't decide which side of the saddle they want to be on. Other than that it has been a fantastic saddle.
have the leather brook seat they are great but ive been thinking about something lighter.... CAN YOU MAKE A VIDEO COMPARING NARROW BARS VS WIDE ONES?
Just bought a c17 cambium in slate as well for 80aud, so about 60usd. Never ridden one before, keen for it to arrive but, I figure at that price I can't really go wrong.
That’s like 45% off retail price !! How are you liking it so far
I seriously considered getting these for my commuter but ultimately settled with the Charge Spoon saddle for practical reasons. :) So far, 2,000 on it and still good.
almost at 10k thia will soon be the goto channel for all things fixed gear/single speed
I'm looking for a brown* saddle and matching grips for my gf's bike. Any recommendations? It's for an 80s mixte bike. She likes style and comfort. Thanks!
I recently got back from a 1000km trip through British Columbia and I was riding on a Sella Anatomica Leather saddle, which sadly didnt go very well my behind got pretty uncomfortable after about a week of riding 70+ km a day.
How good are cambium saddles for long distance touring? Would I be better off going for a B17?
Awesome tune at the end! What was?
Random question do you still have the cambium? recently bent the rails on mine and would love to get some parts from you if you have it
good vid bud
I ride a Brooks pro team and out of all the saddles I've tried, this one is the most comfortable. Proofiding it isn't that big of a deal. It really comes down to your sit bones though. Some people with wider sit bones will find brooks very uncomfortable
Just completed a 4200mi cross-country bicycle tour on a C17 - honestly no complints
How funny it is that I just took a visit to your Instagram and gave a follow. It was there I saw a comment convo in which you mentioned uploading this exact video. Enjoyed the chain tension video! Also looking forward to that next Wabi upload.
Off topic question: do you have any insight on Unknown Bike Co.? Have you seen or ridden one? Heard any good/bad stories about the bikes/company in general? Judging by their website, what do you think of the value of completes provided the minimal info on components? I am curious to see what you have to say.
Zach Gallardo Forgive me, this is pretty long for a comment, but here is my Unknown purchase story.
I hate to say I have read these horror stories before and I can testify to those claims. After riding road bikes for well over 5 years I just recently purchased my first fixed gear bicycle, a complete from the U.S. Unknown website late December. They never once sent tracking info and I had to sit for about a month wondering if had even shipped. During this time I attempted to reach out to the company every way I could, even social media, never once getting a reply. Finally it arrived one day as a complete surprise.
Out of the box it was missing bar ends, brakes, the chain was WAY too small, and there was no fork either. It was so frustrating. They did answer me when I told them about the issues and assured me everything would be fixed. Time went on and a couple more weeks passed. I had stopped hearing from them again even though I was persistent with my emails. Finally, and for the second time, I had to threaten sending the bike back and filing a claim with my bank. I got a response again and what seemed to be a sincere apology. They let me know the forks were on hold due to the Chinese New Year affecting their warehouse. They assured me the parts I needed would be sent out immediately and offered to send a steel fork to use while I wait for the original. I accepted and also requested my fork ultimately get upgraded to full carbon for compensation to help resolve this whole mess. So far they have agreed to honor my request.
The parts and steel fork arrived Saturday February 4th along with some Unknown trinkets like a power bank, a carabineer with a knife and screwdriver built in, an extra set of lights, and two Unknown decals. While all these are pretty cool, there was still no chain. Luckily I was too anxious to wait and had already purchased a chain prior. When I installed the fork, the front brake caliper wouldn't sit without rubbing the sidewall of the tire instead of the rim when the brake lever was engaged. I can tell that these brakes were designed for forks with a geometry specific to 23/25c tires. The steel fork provided can definitely fit up to 32c and perhaps larger. No brakes...no biggie. Although I like having at least a front brake I can live without.
At this point I am still waiting for my upgraded fork, which should have been aluminum but is now expected to be carbon.
I do love the bike. Aside from waiting for what felt like an eternity and being ignored, the bike is gorgeous and I am happy with the purchase. The quality of the bike overall seems to be decent. Nothing fancy but nothing too flimsy....except for the pedals...they suck. I also upgraded the crank to SRAM S300s instantly due to the drive side arm threads being stripped....not sure if that was from poor quality aluminum or my friend who decided to install the pedals for me but..I think it was my friend. As for the welds..they aren't the prettiest but I don't mind. They look like they're doing their job and I really don't see anything wrong with them. Other than that the components are super basic and I have a few things in mind to slowly upgrade over time.
What's done is done.. I'd be hesitant at best to do any further business with Unknown directly and I personally know a local dealer that ended their relationship with Unknown for the same reasons. In one email, it was explained to me that the U.S. branch is merely a two man team. It's still off-putting when you have to threaten bank claims to get this sort of info. This company has some beautiful looking frames and has some serious potential. It's a shame to hear about such a crappy business transaction like this, let alone experiencing it first hand.
And Zach, If you are still reading this, great job. Your channel is legit and that's sort of a reason I felt like sharing this story with you and anyone who reads this. I hope to see more reviews on gear, clothing, tools, and anything bike related. Your tutorials and how-to videos are always nice. Your channel is probably the most informative and thorough fixed gear channel on TH-cam while being one of the most entertaining at the same time. Thanks for the videos man!
I snapped my Cambium in half after about a year of use. Looking at the damage to the saddle in your video it's an out and out failure. No saddle should have that much damage after 2 years; especially at that price. The last Brooks saddle I killed was a 45 year old model that I'd put through starship-milage after 5 years of abuse.
I have a C15 carved and it is definitely the most comfortable saddle in years. The carved version is certainly worth it and puts less pressure on your scranus. I hate the squeaking though but yes, a fix is easy. Best saddle bar none. I think REI stores are also discounting the C13s if you really need crabon rails
MVBriscoVolante SCRANUS ! You sir just made me laugh and I thank you for that.
You guys !!! I've got a B 17 flyer , I do approx 2000 miles a year ( over 3000 km ) at this rate and the wear on my saddle , looks like it's going to last 20 plus years ( 6000 miles 10,000 km so far ) .Brooks saddles are the best and think about it , something stuck up your bottom for 4000 miles , being really COMFORTABLE is pretty Dam good . Go and buy a brooks saddle and keep it out of the weather and it will out last the bike !!
I really can’t understand why they did not fixed this problem. I love may cambium, but the first nose problem grew up until tear the rubber. And the seconds is starting the scratch problem. I asked them, and they said “there is no solution, but another one”
Durable? It is broken dude at the front after two years?.
It’s not broken? Broken would mean no longer a saddle.
Zach, what do you think about Priority Bikes? Are they worth it or should I get a Kilo TT
Mine was great for three years but be careful, the wear you see at the crown is a precursor to something worse… Whilst I was riding mine and the rubber around the crown completely shattered when I went over a small bump in the road and when that happens it separates from the frame. If put me in a dangerous situation. I’ve now switched to a Brooks leather saddle.
I'm drawn to the supposed idea of comfort of a b17 could theoretically provide but I'm repelled by it looking like it should be on something a postman would be riding in the 1940s. It would look utterly out of place on my brand new 2023 gravel bike 😂. Also from what I've heard from very experienced long distance touring cyclists... Ultimately you'll get a sore arse no matter what your using, it comes with the territory. You can lay in on the finest mattress and bedding the world has to offer but if your in it perpetually you'll get bed sores
I'm nw considering a c17 pls is that white bar tape
Mine looks like new after more than 2 years with 4000km/year, just the colour faded a little but never coloured my trousers. I don't like leaving it in the rain, i should take a bag to cover it. The only thing that i don't like is that is not soft enough, i think they should have made different thicknesses depending on the rider weight. Other than that it kept me comfortable and relatively pain free for hundreds of km at once comparing to an ordinary saddle, so i don't see any reason to try a new saddle.
Mine has not been good to me and I don’t know why. I can’t ride more that 30 mins without getting saddle sore 😔 Someone help
should I buy a giant bowery for $80?
you just made me go for the leather instead, thank you
Do I have to worry about this addle fucking up my jeans/chinos if I ride in them?
Specialized Henge... super light , cheap, solid, nice design...
This is durable? two years and it's fading and falling apart?
I have a leather Brooks and eh... 10 miles in I loose feeling in my lower extremities and honestly I find my self readjusting... then again I've only had it for 2 months so maybe the breaking in hasn't finished
Just like a baseball mitt, they do take some time to work in, try loosening the nose nut a little.
After reading a lot of positive reviews I bought two new Brooks Cambium saddles (C17 for my road bike and C19 for my electric mountain bike). Unfortunately, I found both saddles to be very uncomfortable and no longer use them. I wish they'd worked for me, since they were fairly expensive.
I have tried a bit with those now inventions made by Brooks, but I was not satisfied. Nothing compares to the comfort of a leather saddle in my humble opinion. But the classic ones have also a great disadvantage (for some people) they need to be maintained regularly and the first miles with a new thick leather saddle may lead to pain in the buttocks.
I have honestly always been somewhat unconvinced that Brooks really are that comfortable.
That and the weight is crazy heavy. Thats half a pound of easy and inexpensive weight to be removed.
I love this saddle, I ride about 150 miles a week, it’s way better than my stock jamis saddle, a well spent $115
craked after 3 years ~ 13000 km, not completely but scary to use now. i don't know, maybe buy another one or try leather
Carved or not carved, that is the question?
I think the good thing about the cambium is it's good for short distance, you can jump on it for short distances and it's incredibly comfortable vs a leather saddle. however a leather saddle is more durable and once "moulded" is far less slippery and less annoyance over distance, imo (I guess 😅)
This saddle felt like my butt bones were grinding on concrete after three hours. The saddle will also wear out your cycle shorts, the more you use it the more it becomes like sand paper. A saddle review doesn't mean much when it comes to comfort because it's different for everyone.
Do the test in selle anatomica.
can u do fish and chips
:o
Nice backdrop - USD. :-)
you have changed your handle bar tape to white, I'm not sure that will stay very clean. lol😀
Wait why do you ride in jeans?
anyone here have the c13? i have someone selling one for like 25% off list price, and am thinking of getting one, i commute a lot and deliver food part time when im not in uni, also i think it just looks great xD
C17 carved saved my nether's
Only use Brooks. Got the C17 on the roadie and Team pro as a touring saddle. Gotta say the Team Pro is more comfortable than the C17. I won't be using anything else other than Brooks.
It seems you dont really care much about your bike, how come the saddle back are many scratched.
I ride a brooks flyer, basically a sprung b17, buy one, just buy a brooks, can't go wrong
Wow! I am surprised at how bad your saddle looks. I have over 16,000 miles (mostly gravel) on my C13 and it looks almost like it did when it was new.
Some people say that Brooks saddles are very durable but from what I gather they're all pretty much consumables. If I buy a saddle at this price, I'm expecting to put at least 30K kilometres into it before it starts to show any serious signs of wear. Getting broken within 20K is just unacceptable. Definitely no good for off-road use and probably wouldn't want even on a road bike.
That cant be a Brooks! After only 2 years? Id be disappointed.
My Professional lasted 12 years and probably over 100000 miles. It was still perfectly comfortable and showed little wear. Thats until I had it on the roof rack and drove under a low tree and tore it off the rails. I almost cried! I got into trail riding and I cant comfortably ride the nose on a leather saddle so I moved onto other saddles.
That damage in only two years? Not for that price.
I think he uses his gears pretty heavy. Check out his review on DZR shoes. They're WORE OUT! :)
rico de guzman
But he's got only one gear? Lolololol.
true. well, a lot of factors play into it. For one, the type of pants you wear. Blue jeans can really do a number on saddles. But yes, for what this saddle costs, one would expect more in terms of durability.. that's why I settled for the Charge Spoon saddle for my commuter bike. quarter the price and gets the job done for me. To each his own though.. what I skimp on stuff like saddles I make up for my drivetrain components and wheels. :)
Sorry but you missed the joke. You wrote "gears" in the original comment.
klarkolofsson I get it now... gear=fixie. Sorry, my humor isn't as quick as it used to be. 😝
FISH & CHIPS, DO IT!!!
Why does it look so shabby, after only two years? Certainly the looks of it don't make want to buy one.
4000 miles is not much at all for a saddle. I have put about 3000 on a cheap selle italia as a messenger (which also involves rubbing walls with the saddle when parking it - about 20 times a day) and still looks new. Also B17's last much more than that.
my 30yo turbo was great and lasted but it's not a patch on my brooks swift. the b17 is more of a touring saddle check out the professional or for something even slimmer the swift
should i get this one, or the carved version?
Roberto A. Calderón it depends on how tender ones gooch is saddle shape is totally personal I find that a cut out makes saddles flatten and splay more which can trap the nerve in the back of the leg and they tend not to last quite as long but if your prone to saddle sores a cut out can be a god send
I love my cambium, I ride about 25 miles daily in Chicago. I don't want to have to worry about being comfortable when I'm trying not to freeze to death or getting hit by these crappy drivers. Lol
Did you say you ride 80 miles in jeans? You're doing great kiddo.