Chuck wrote:
>I think that most of these "upscale middle age or thirty-something
>buyers" are already riding on leather saddles. Leather upholstery over
>foam with a steel frame. Sounds like a seat in a Ferrari, no?
>
>Lower weight is the god that is worshiped today and weight has always
>been one of the reasons for Brooks' lack of acceptance with people who
>buy $4000 race bikes.
>
>Chuck Schmidt
>South Pasadena, California
It only took 100 miles on my new (and, coincidentally $4,000) Mondonico EL-OS to swap out the cute but uncomfortable Mondonico-embroidered Sella San Marco squadra saddle for a Brooks Swift. I know that it will feel comfortable in while and expect that the Sella San Marco, like most soulless bits o plastic, never would. To old to teach my rear end new tricks so I expect the saddle to learn. I nearly spec'd the bike with the Swift to start with but was swayed by the embroidery. No loss, I can bag it for some future retrogrouch to use someday.
I was among the ones who panicked at the news and bought a Swallow. I paid a high price to be sure but it will find a good home on a 1975 Colnago Super in a while.
Charlie Young
A dark and stormy night in West Chester, PA.