RE: [CR]Help dating Brooks Saddle

(Example: Framebuilders:Dario Pegoretti)

From: "Robert D. Dayton,Jr." <rdayton@carolina.rr.com>
To: "'Mark Bulgier'" <Mark@bulgier.net>, <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: RE: [CR]Help dating Brooks Saddle
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 07:42:34 -0500
In-reply-to: <9327C3B25BD3C34A8DBC26145D88A90702CDA1@hippy.home.here>
Thread-index: AcYMwC5ZOI/aLrjQRpi8zcopQh4CtwAUCRCwAAt8H7A=


I've always loved the picture of the Roberts at Lands End on that site. Even my modern bike has a Brooks on it.

Rob Dayton Charlotte,NC

-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Mark Bulgier Sent: Friday, December 30, 2005 2:19 AM To: chuckschmidt@earthlink.net; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: RE: [CR]Help dating Brooks Saddle

Chuck Schmidt wrote:
>
> The official Brooks web site:
> http://www.brooksengland.com
> has PDF downloads of historical Brooks catalogs (32 catalogs spanning
> 1899 - 1959). Truly AMAZING!!!

Chuck, thanks for the hot tip, definitely some fun and amazing stuff there. I've downloaded and perused a few of the catalogs now. Check out the '37 "Saddle-Comfort" - chock full of great pictures of Brooks saddles of course, but also check out the articles, on long distance records (1000 miles without sleep!), the motor-paced speed record, the Tour de France, even a slightly lame but charming joke. On the TdF they said, among other things:

"It is significant that every[italic for emphasis] rider in the Tour de France during recent years has ridden on a Brooks Comfort Saddle, as the strength and correct degree of resilience provide the perfect seat when utmost power is required over rough roads and against stiff gradients. [snip] Remember, these professional riders are riding for substantial prizes and cannot afford to prejudice their chances in the slightest degree. They ride bicycles built by many different manufacturers; components produced by many different firms, but on the question of the most important cycle fitment -- the saddle -- they are unanimous in their choice... it is always a Brooks Comfort Saddle."

Mark Bulgier
Seattle WA USA