Morning folks,
Just wondering if anybody is using the Brooks Cambium saddle. I’m a fan of the B17 so was thinking I’d get another one of those for the new bike, but then the guy in the shop showed me the Cambium, looks like a great idea. The only problem I had with the B17 was it going out shape when I rode all day through a storm in Thailand, but the Cambium is rubber, so problem solved regarding wet weather. But are they any good?
It seems to me that it's largely a personal question. I used a Vetta vinyl saddle for twenty years and found it comfortable and durable.
Likely your saddle went out of shape because you didn't keep it oiled. That protects it from water. 20+ years and plenty of water and neglect, often left out in the weather when on tour, never had a problem with mine.
Yours may have stretched rather than gone out of shape. They do alter to your shape. Perhaps try increasing the tension.
Seems the Cambium is a totally different shape to the B17. It's more like the Brooks pro range. That you may not like.
Try that Googlely thing. Good descriptions of the Cambium, and users critics. Seems the consensus is to wait till they refine it.
I con't compare the Cambium to other Brooks saddle but start of this year I swapped the saddle that came with my bike for a Cambium C15 (NOT the 17 version). Previous saddle had some padding and whilst I never "loved" it I was OK doing rides to max. 60 miles (more typically 40+ miles). I measured my sit bones and the 15 was the correct side for me.
Initially on the C15 I suffered with bruised sit bones. Never stopped me going out, never incapacitating but "uncomfortable". I then decided to get some better cycling shorts (better padding) and happened to spend a few weeks without riding and those two things made life better to the point where I don't think about the saddle when cycling (probably back to where I was with the previous saddle). What I suspect was happening is that once I bruised my bum, keeping riding was continually "topping-up" the bruising stopping things from ever getting better.
As a recreational cyclist I tend to avoid rain so can't comment on that aspect. Before getting one I read a few reviews that talked about the saddle badly wearing lycra shorts - I've done 2000+ miles one pair of shorts and no sign of wear. I've done some cycling in warm enough weather that I get home with a "damp" back, but saddle has always been dry (so I've not experienced sweaty bum due to the materials - but we are talking mild UK weather).
I like the saddle; but which saddles people get on with is a very personal thing.
Also, I've only been cycling for 18 months so don't have loads of touring experience to offer comparisons.
I've got a few Brooks leather saddles which I find great but I bought a Cambium for my mountain bike as I thought it would be better in mud etc. My bum doesn't get along with it at all. It doesn't "give" like leather. I have friends with them and they love theirs so as always with saddles, everyone is different. Try to find a shop with try before you buy test saddle.
My husband has been riding the C15 on our long distance tour, but couldn't get used to it. That is of course very personal, but what's not personal is that it broke in half after a couple of months...
A few weeks ago we met a guy on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and he had his C15 taped together... also broke in half...
So, he's back to the B17 Narrow. ;)
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