All CRs:
My $0.02 regarding the sale of Brooks to Selle Royale:
If the sale of Brooks to Selle Royale will allow for the updating of the Brooks designs to be more reverse compatible with modern saddles, then I'm definitely up for it. ("combining craftsmanship with new technology" ).
I've tried to ride a Swift Ti (the only Brooks narrow enough for me) and it is reverse incompatible with every other plastic saddle I've used.
The Swift's leather "shell" has a front to back taper (cut) which is shifted forward relative to all of the other plastic saddles that I've used. Also, the grip area of the frame rails is shorter, and "all in the back" relative to the plastic saddles I've used.
With these two specific Brooks saddle characteristics, for me to obtain proper horizontal posture presently requires that I have a frameset built specifically to fit the Brooks due to the 1 inch further forward seating that the Swift gives me. (Longer top tube, relaxed seat tube angle, slightly bigger seat tube.)
If the "grip area" of the Swift's saddle rails was lengthened then I could at least move the saddle further back!
If they also reduced the overall stack height of the saddle, that would also be an advantage, IMHO.
Andrew Gillis (Long Beach)