Brooks Saddles - Limited Edition

Limited Edition Swallow

Limited Edition Swallow

After the success of the 1st limited edition, Brooks launched the Swallow Classic, a replica of a more recent version of the product which simplifies the production process, eliminating the hand-stitching.  Despite the success of the Swallow Classic, Brooks continues to recieve requests for the hand-stitched New Swallow.  Here lies the reason for a 2nd limited edition, which differs from the first by the choice of colour of the leather, this new version being black instead of brown.

The New Swallow has been faithfully recreated utilising the original patent books and is still stitched by hand, in time honour fashion.  The first Swallow was patented on 20th August 1936, time when all Tour de France riders used Brooks saddles.  Legends such as Girardengo, Bottechia, Bartali, Coppi and Anquetil all rode Brooks saddles to victory and the coveted yellow jersey.

Back then the arrival of the handcrafted Swallow was heralded as revolutionary as it was the first 'cut away' saddle design, giving greater freedom of leg movement to the sportive cyclist.

The New Swallow features titanium metalwork, although the tensioning plate on the underside of the saddle is still manufactured in steel, and features the original patenting information.  The New Swallow will retain the word DEPOSÉ meaning REGISTERED in French, on it's tensioning plate.  Originally this was added as so many of the saddles were exported to the continent for the use of racers and tourers alike.  Demand will undoubtedly exceed availability.  Each Swallow is extremely labout intensive to produce and as such only 999 will be released worldwide.  Each new saddle will contain an individual serial number and numbered certificate of authenticity.

The demand for the Swallow has been highlighted by the fact that original models often change hands on auction websites, as vintage bicycle and componentry collecting increases in popularity.  The high end, hand-stitched Swallow, which was available in the 1950s and was the most expensive saddle Brooks ever produced, is always the most popular saddle with cycling purists.  Brooks believes this new issue will go someway to satisfying this exceptional demand.

Despite the fact that the original manufacturing processes for the Swallow proved to be very labour intensive, the same processes remain in place today.  It is impossible to automate such quality.

The skiving, thinning of the leather on the sides of the saddle, to enable that the leather be folded, is undertaken with great care be Brooks' craftsmen.  The leather has to be skived in it's three dimensional form, subsequent to which it has to be sewn.

The sewing is even more complicated.  Each stitch has to bite into the eather.  It may not be raised, and the leather has to be dampened to accept each stitch precisely.  The stitching is performed solely by Robin Coleman, a member of the Master Saddlers, with over 30 years experience of the manufacture of bridle saddles.

 Each New Swallow has taken in excess of 90 days to cut, form and manufacture and the result is a saddle of extreme beauty which is true to the spirit and heritage of the world's oldest established manufacturer of bicycle componentry.

Comes with a cover, spanner, Proofide and cloth, numbered Certificate in a Presentation box. $790 

Limited Edition Sprinter

Limited Edition Sprinter

The B17 Champion Sprinter was introduced in 1925 and saw production of over 30 years. Built for mile and half mile events, the Sprinter was popular among track riders through the 1950’s and into the early 1960’s. Whilst modern Brooks Saddles bare the “Made in England” print on the side of the leather top, the Sprinter is embossed with “Made in Great Britain”, as were all saddles up until the 1960s.  At 425g, this limited edition Sprinter lighter than the original since its frame is entirely made of titanium. The saddle is 274 mm long and 133 mm wide. The leather top is fixed to the frame with hand hammered copper rivets. The Sprinter is delivered with all the necessary to take care of the product: a tensioning spanner, a can of Proofide leather dressing and a cotton cloth to polish the saddle.  A true collector’s item, at its introduction the Sprinter was certainly the narrowest saddle ever built, and probably remains one of the narrowest bicycle saddles ever made. Each B17 Champion Sprinter is numbered on the underside and delivered with a certificate of authenticity bearing the same number.

Comes with a cover, spanner, Proofide and cloth, numbered Certificate in a Presentation box. $425