tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296519100163016898.post8885465302598471252..comments2024-01-29T09:20:52.654-08:00Comments on Ride or Pie?!: Almost like a Brooks? First Impression of the Velo Orange Leather Saddles Model 1 and Model 3Hobbes vs Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03745006035218212607noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296519100163016898.post-52702628302135670762015-07-23T12:13:15.008-07:002015-07-23T12:13:15.008-07:00Thanks for sharing your experience with the B17. I...Thanks for sharing your experience with the B17. I recently repaired my B17 Imperial, and it's interesting how different it feels. Probably material for another post in the future...Hobbes vs Boylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745006035218212607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296519100163016898.post-7775948138029459182015-07-23T11:04:45.891-07:002015-07-23T11:04:45.891-07:00My experience with the B17 is that is was comfy ri...My experience with the B17 is that is was comfy right out of the box and remains so.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08008551988150483228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296519100163016898.post-6660647294375997982015-05-15T10:05:29.005-07:002015-05-15T10:05:29.005-07:00Bob, thanks for chiming in. I don't have anyth...Bob, thanks for chiming in. I don't have anything new to report on my Model 1. It's been creaking a bit lately, but I attribute that to the additional stress from having my bike set up with a fixed-gear drivetrain.Hobbes vs Boylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745006035218212607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296519100163016898.post-31649468066752843332015-05-15T07:58:36.280-07:002015-05-15T07:58:36.280-07:00Here's my 2 cents since I have both the Model ...Here's my 2 cents since I have both the Model 1 and 3 on two different bikes. My model 3 has the most mileage, about 6,000 miles while my Model 1 has around 3,000. Both saddles are broken in and feels pretty dam nice! I also own Brooks B-17, Swift, and Pro. They are all fine but the Swift is my least favorite of all of my leather saddles. I've been riding leather seats since 1997. And yes I also ride a weight weenie road bike with a plastic light saddle and I enjoy this ride too but for me leather rules! <br /><br />My model 1 is on a steal frame road bike and I ride it on 200k brevets and century rides. It gets more comfortable as it gets ridden more. My model 3 is on my commuter/touring/trail bike and this saddle is awesome! The leather has a nice rubbery feel that hold me nicely during the ride.<br /><br />Will it last compared to my B-17 which is on my VO Rando bike and the saddle has over 16,000 miles, who knows but my model 3 has ridden in plenty of lousy weather and is holding up pretty nicely. <br /><br />I don't worry about the weight because the whole bike is no light weight to begin with. But I have ridden quite a few 200k brevets, most of my commutes and many multi-day rides on it and it has never bother me. The comfort rules and this matters most for me. <br /><br />The Model 1 and especially the Model 3 are both well made and I would not hesitate to buy another, even to replace an old Brooks...........period!Bob Torreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09236904410192173368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296519100163016898.post-16363650741366073302012-03-08T06:00:00.867-08:002012-03-08T06:00:00.867-08:00Well, leather is natural product, so the break-in ...Well, leather is natural product, so the break-in period varies widely. My experience so far: <br /><br />* Brooks B17 Imperial: Comfortable from the beginning. Breaking in (as in visible deformation) took definitely more than 500km but it didn't really matter as the improvement in comfort wasn't that noticeable.<br /><br />* Brooks B17: we gave this saddle to the accomplice's dad as a Christmas present. Even after riding it for over a year the saddle was still hard as a rock--and uncomfortable. I've offered to take over the saddle and see if my 190lbs will make it break in. <br /><br />* Brooks B17S (women's): this saddle, ridden by my accomplice, broke in very quickly, definitely less than 500km<br /><br />* Brooks Swallow: significant deformation visible right after the first 120km ride<br /><br />My general advice is: if you have a plastic saddle you're happy with there is no good reason to switch to a leather saddle. They're heavier, need to be covered in the rain, and if you have bad luck with the leather they'll either stretch out too quickly or not quickly enough.Hobbes vs Boylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745006035218212607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296519100163016898.post-85153127745872073502012-03-06T14:02:15.009-08:002012-03-06T14:02:15.009-08:00I'll be interested to hear about the break in ...I'll be interested to hear about the break in period on these. That's the main reason why I've never tried a leather saddle - after hearing reports of people riding in discomfort for 500 miles hoping for change that had yet to come.<br /><br />After my last saddle troubles a few years ago, I bought a $20 one from the bin at the Bike Rack and put 5,000+ miles on it and have been very happy.GeekGuyAndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16295251258659270861noreply@blogger.com