Cambium C17, All-Weather, Waterproof Bike Saddle

The title pretty much is the review. I love Brooks saddles so consider my bias. I’ve had 3 leather saddles over the years so I know the product well Never had a Cambium. Always curious as Stella owns Brooks and keeps them alive, which I appreciate This is the C17 nylon version which I wanted. I got the Brown color which is dark. It has a plastic frame and metal rails. Seems solid. Some complaints about the abrasive cotton fabric don’t apply the nylon. It has some grip with no damage to your clothes. Can’t see how water could affect it at all. You can slide on it but nothing like the leather ones. Comfort? Believe it. Out of the box ZERO break in period. I love the leather ones. They are beautiful. You kind of earn one through your suffering. None of that here. I ride normal shorts with no padding. No need for anything. Enjoy having pockets and doing something when you go somewhere on a bike. Imagine that. I’ve put around 200 miles on jt and had no discomfort The other great thing is saddle loops. Have to do some research. I got some 9” Voile straps on a Road Runner handlebar bag. Perfect. I’m happy I put it on a Surly Straggler. Well named for its rider. No comparison to the WTB that came on the bike. Pain.

I've run many a saddle on several bikes and on three different bicycle tours. I've even owned a Brooks B67 a few years before this. I'm not a fan of leather saddles after owning it. This however is the Brooks to get if you don't like the maintenance issues with any of the Brooks leather saddles. It's probably the most comfortable saddle I've ridden and I've ridden a number of them. Sure it doesn't have the padding that many saddles do, nor the gel padding that others do. Where this saddle lacks padding it has more flex than others due in part to it being made from vulcanized rubber. Yes, vulcanized rubber. But don't let it fool you. This is a very well made and durable saddle. My only skepticism is that the rubber is vulcanized in Italy since Sele Italia bought Brooks a couple years back. Though the rubber is vulcanized outside of England, I'm assuming the saddle was finished in England. The rivets that hold the rubber on the saddle look as if they were done by Brooks themselves and the quality of the build is top notch as one would expect from Brooks. I've been riding this saddle for a few months now and haven't missed the previous saddle yet. I even rode this during a downpour. Here's were other saddles just don't stand up as they are made from synthetics. And even leather saddles will require maintenance after being in this kind of weather. This saddle took it all in stride and didn't show any signs of problems. Of course being built from vulcanized rubber makes this virtually waterproof. If you have thought about buying a Brooks B17 "Bomber" which is the classic Brooks touring saddle but don't want the maintenance issues that come with it, this is the saddle to buy. Same shape and dimensions as the B17, a little less costly, and a great saddle all around.

I was a little worried when I pulled this seat out of the box because I didn't feel the padding you find in most bike seats, but I found the opposite to be true. Most seats have a fairly rigid base with foam or gel padding on top, but Brooks takes a different approach. The entire seat acts like a shock absorber. All of my adult life, I've had to do rides to "condition" my butt for cycling season thanks to bruising my seat bones from uneven pavement and other bumps on the rides. I've done two rides this season, and had to wait 5-7 days before riding again, until today. This is the first time I've ridden early in the season where I am fully able to ride again tomorrow. It really is uncanny. This is the most comfortable bicycle seat I've ever ridden, and it isn't close. Like my headline said, this is the best upgrade I've ever put on a bicycle. I liked it so much that I bought another one for my mountain bike.

I owned this saddle for 3 years and left it on another bike. Originally, I hated it compared to my B17 which I've been riding for 13 years until that saddle broke the pin and I had to wait for a repair. So, I put the C17 on my bike and after 2 15 mile rides realized how much more comfortable it was than my B17. Best way to describe the 2 saddles is the B17 makes you feel like you are riding IN the bike. The C17 makes you feel like you are riding ON the bike. Generally speaking, I now have less discomfort and longer duration on the C17. Additionally, for some reason I have been averaging 1 MPH faster. Give it a try....and you will need to adjust the saddle height and tilt different that the B17. My C17 has apps 5% upward tilt which is just enough to keep the pressure of the perineum.

I have been using the leather Brooks B17 saddle for a few years and thought I would try the C17 for an MTB. It is just as comfortable as the B17 and looks like it will hold up to rain nicely. Very pleased.

I’m a long time B17 user on multiple bikes. I wanted to try a C17 since my travels are hard on leather. I prefer the feel of the leather over the cambium but the cambium is not bad (I’ve had no problems like those who have mentioned in scuffing their pants) and it’s nice not to worry about the effects of water.

It is not opinion that a great seat is one of the most vital parts on a bike. I have had great success with the brooks B17. I bought the C17 because it was lighter and sleeker. It is a bit different than the B17 but use as comfortable. I assume it will get better with each ride. Great shape. Good flex. Very pleased. Update after several months- still a great seat, but I notice some numbness in my groin going numb on longer rides. Something about this seat compresses my nerves. I typically do not wear padded shorts but tried them to see if that helped. It did not. So I have switched back to my trusted B17 leather saddle. The C17 is still a great seat, well made and obviously works well for many people. But I just wanted to share my experience.

I was hesitant at first to get this saddle. Wasn't sure it would feel and ride as well as the leather version, which I have on my road bikes and single speeds. I wanted something more waterproof for my mountain bike so I went for it. The only noticeable difference was the "feel" of the material. The leather saddles are a bit slick at first and you have a tendency to slide a bit. The Cambium has a slightly roughened texture on it which keeps you where you need to be. The flex that you get from the leather Brooks has been copied to a T. The feel is uncannily Brooks for certain as you ride. I was trying to concentrate on it while I rode, but quickly forgot several times that I was trying to look for differences. Being made of rubber I have no fear that it's perfect for wet, muddy conditions. If you love your leather Brooks as I do, and you're on the fence about the Cambium let me quell your fears. This is through and through a brooks saddle, acts like a brooks saddle too. I'm sold on it and if I get another bike, when I get another bike, I would not hesitate to buy this saddle again.

Researched Brooks saddles, and decided the C17 would be good to get. There is a choda saver version as well, but went with this one as I've never had perineum issues. love the classic and minimal style. I use this saddle on my 26" BMX and I love it. Amazon was fast with the delivery too.

Der Sattel ist ja wohlbekannt und aus meiner Sicht der Beste, egal ob MTB, Rennrad oder Trekkingrad... Sehr gütig zum Gesäß auch nach 100 km.

良いです。見た目も硬さもバッチリ。

Très bon produit

Wonderful saddle great customer service!