Been a bit preoccupied recently and missed the recent posts on Brooks saddle failures. I guess there has been more than one recent failure at the nose area of a leather saddle? Well, add one more. There I was spinning along in a 66 inch fixed gear and "KERPOW" a sudden loss of height and an instinctive attempt to stop rotating the legs. I managed to overcome instinct and just had an uncomfortable 5 miles home on the rails with a small thickness of leather for comfort.. This was an old saddle that came with a Hobbs. But it looked fine and I gave it a good dressing with Proofhide. So I guess it is a case of Caveat Ridor?
Are Trevor Jarvis Flying Gates considered KOFs? If so, I would like to hear from owners as I have just bought a 1980 and a 1998 and find them both superb machines! Along the same lines the third bike I bought, as a 'favour' to a riding pal who was keen to reduce his stable, was a 1992 Jackson Hetchins Scorpion Bonum. It has been back to Jacksons a second time for refinishing and to have canti bosses fitted. Now Peter Naiman mentioned late Hetchins a few days ago but surely these are KOFs too? Either way, what a nice bike, rides as well as my early Vade Mecum and stops even better. Any Scorpion Bonums in the group?
Nigel Land
North Lincs UK