Alan Lloyd wrote:
> Most of the Brooks-era Wrights saddles I've seen appear to match a Brooks model, but with thinner
> leather and, sometimes, only black-painted - rather than chromed - undercarraige?
>
> You might argue that they would break-in faster, because of the lighter leather, but not last as
> long. But the undercarraige is, basically, the same - except, perhaps, for slightly inferior
> clamps?
>
> The few Lycetts I've seen appear to be every bit as good as their Brooks bretheren, didn't I read
> somewhere that using this name may at one time have been a bit of a marketing ploy - when everyone
> thought French & Italian components were the bees' knees!
>
>
Not exactly an apple's and apple's comparison, but I have a well beaten
early '70's Wrights saddle from a Raleigh Grand Prix in front of me as
well as a new '06 Brooks B17 Narrow and a worn in 2000 Team Pro which
looks considerably different in frame shape and has no bag loops.
The Wrights is Patterned Brown leather on a chrome frame and the Brooks
B17 is smooth black on black, the frame structure looks identical with
only slight difference in the tensioning bolt and nose piece, probably
due to manufacturing changes over the years.
The leather appears to be slightly thinner on the Wrights, and the side
skirts are shorter, the three vent holes are in the same place. The
Wrights shows no evidence of a rear name plate attachment.
Marcus Coles
London, Ontario, Canada