I saw this listing when it was first posted since I was in the market for a Swallow myself. Might as well just throw the $49 in the trash which is where this saddle will end up. I don't understand the logic, if you wanted a Swallow and didn't want to pay the price, why not just purchase one of the knockoffs? It's crazy to pay that much for a B17N and butcher it to that extent when he could have gotten a real Swallow for that much. I did finally purchase a brand new Brooks Swallow off Ebay for $179 and the only thing I had to cut was the tape holding the box. But, on the other hand, this hobby is attracting a big group of young, inexperienced kids with more money than common sense and personalizing a bike to them is like we used to customize our cars, only cheaper. Most are concerned more with a "cool" look than with quality. Lastly, I can't see any reputable shop that would turn out a bad job like that and it's not even finished. Fred Durrette Summerville, SC
________________________________ From: Kyle Brooks <brooks_kyle@att.net> To: tadcpdajd@aol.com; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 2:44:11 PM Subject: Re: [CR] Butchered Brooks Saddle?
I sure wouldn't give him $49 for it. And what was he doing paying $175 for a B-17N in the first place? (Nashbar was selling them for for about $70 a year or two ago -- their price has not quite doubled since then, but still. . .) And then to chop it up like that -- "Butchered" really is the right word in this case. "pinnacle holy grail"??? Sorry. No way that saddle lasts through a couple of rainy rides.
Kyle Brooks (not related, that I know of -- but all my bikes have Brooks saddles) Akron, OH
________________________________ From: "tadcpdajd@aol.com" <tadcpdajd@aol.com> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 2:12:34 PM Subject: [CR] Butchered Brooks Saddle?
I think most of us have seen the exquisite job Chuck Brooks did butchering a Brooks Swift:
http://www.wallbike.com/
I have?questions?about a butchered B17.N in the following auction:
(Auction # 330364403157)
Is the subject saddle butchered beyond saving??
Is the "lightning bolt" side cut too far into the top of the saddle??
Is there any expectation that this saddle will last under normal weight and use?
Thank you.
Tom Donahue
Melbourne, FL US