In the market for a new touring or trekking saddle? You may want to check out the Brooks Cambium C17. I recently replaced the stock saddle on my expedition bike with one and now have about a thousand kilometers on it, enough to get a general idea of the saddle’s quality and performance.
First Impressions
The Cambium appears racy in its shape and lines, not what one would expect in a traditional touring or trekking saddle if there is such a thing. Made in Italy, the C17 is smooth, refined, streamlined, and of quality build, one has come to expect from Brooks. Essentially a hammock seat, the Cambium is constructed out of vulcanized natural rubber and organic cotton enhanced by a thin layer of structural textile for added resilience and longevity. Brooks states the C17’s dimensions and geometry are based closely on the venerable B17 series saddles but are a bit wider to maintain riding comfort mile after mile. Brooks also produces a C17s which is slightly shorter than the C17 and more suited to the female anatomy.
Riding on the Cambium
Out of the box, the Cambium is ready to ride, and according to Brooks, requires no break-in, to which I concur. My Cambium was comfortable from the start and easy to ride on. I encountered no soreness or numbness often associated with riding on a new saddle. Mounting the C17 on my bike was pretty straightforward; I was able quickly to dial the saddle in using seat measurements from my other bike fixed with a B17 Special. The height, forward positioning, and tilt settings required minimal tweaking to dial in the Cambium and get it very close to my normal riding position. Even though the C17 is a bit wider than the B17, I don’t feel it. In fact, the saddle seems a bit narrower, but that’s just me. Moreover, I can feel the rubber hammock suspension of the saddle flexing as I ride to absorb shocks from bumps from the road.
On extended rides of eight to twelve hours of continuous cycling in a more upright posture, I felt comfortable on the saddle without any crotch soreness or pain, and no numbness to speak of, other than I’d been riding for a long time. I did ache a bit from the riding each day, but not as a result of an ill-fitting saddle. In addition to my daily commutes to and from work, an average distance of about forty kilometers a trip, I’ve ridden my bike on several all day rides up and around the hills and along the forest trails and roads surrounding Lake Tahoe on tarmac, rock-studded jeep trails, and old sandy logging roads without incident. The C17 felt comfortable and performed well. I never found myself wishing I was riding on something else. Only wearing synthetic boxers and a pair of mountain bike shorts with no liner or pad, I felt comfortable on the saddle throughout the rides, with the rubber body on the Cambium being a bit more forgiving than the leather shell on my B17 Special.
Durability
Construction of the Cambium is quality throughout. The only maintenance it requires is keeping it clean. There’s no tensioning bolt to stretch the rubber body. It’s clear the C17 was built not only for comfort but to last as well, having the same craftsmanship and finish as its esteemed leather counterparts. Nearing the thousand kilometer mark, I’ve sweated on it, had it soaked in the rain, covered with trail dirt, and there are no signs of any premature wear or structural defects. After getting wet, the saddle air dried without any problems or staining. It will be interesting to see how the cotton fabric holds up after repeated exposure to sweat, perspiration and occasional soakings of butt paste, all of which have altered the tone of my leather B17. So far, so good. However, since the C17 is a new design constructed with new materials, the jury is still out on its long-term durability and how the saddle will perform over an extended period of time and many miles that are part and parcel to the rigors of long-distance cycle touring and trekking.
Extended Warranty
The Cambium C17 is backed by Brooks’ standard two-year warranty against manufacturer and material defects, which can be extended another eight years for a total of ten years coverage if you register your saddle with Brooks Forever section of their website (http://www.brooksengland.com/getting-in-touch/brooks-forever/). It only took me a few keystrokes and a couple minutes of my time or register my C17 and pick up an additional eight years of warranty. So, with that kind of coverage, I reasoned the risk was minimal in going with the Cambium with respect to its long-term durability. Time and riding will tell if the Cambium will go the distance like its many revered leather clad counterparts. I’ll keep you posted from time to time as the kilometers tick by.
Specifications
Frame: Tubular steel rails
Length: 283 mm
Width: 162 mm
Height: 52 mm
Weight: 415 grams
Colors: Natural, Slate, Rust, and Black
List price: $228.00 (140 pounds)
Online Price: $134.00 at Bike Bling (www.bikebling.com)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Comfortable
Minimal to no break-in
Waterproof
Minimal maintenance
Backed by an extended ten-year Brooks warranty.
Cons:
Price. Not cheap at $134.00. But initially, quality usually never is.
Conclusion
Highly recommended. The Brooks Cambium is the greyhound saddle of the trekking world: sleek, refined, and well constructed. It’s comfortable to ride on all day. You can really feel the seat moving with your body to absorb bumps and shocks from the road. It handles getting wet and shakes off the dust and dirt from the trail with ease. Its prospects for long-term durability look promising but remain to be seen as the miles and the year’s pass. But being the C17 is backed by Brooks’ standard two-year warranty, extendable for another eight years to a full ten, if you register the saddle with Brooks Forever, I see little risk in giving the C17 a shot, if you’re so inclined. Retailing for around $134.00 online, the C17 is in the premium price range but worth the investment. If you’re looking for a trekking or touring saddle in something other than leather, the Cambium is a viable option and should provide many miles of riding comfort, near or far.
For more information, you can search it on YouTube or check out Brooks’ site at http://www.brooksengland.com
Cheers, Johnny I.
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