Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More - View Single Post

01-04-2007, 11:01 AM

see Chris Juden's comments at
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3822

Letter from Central America - 2000.07

I think readers might be interested to hear something of the problems
that can beset long-distance cycletourists and the ingenious ways they
solve them. Broken Brooks saddle rails (a regrettably common failing of
this otherwise excellent product) prompted Chad Hockey to phone me from
Mexico last November. I suggested he call Sturmey-Archer Customer
Service Department and asked him to let me know what happened:

"... I was just about to do a Mr Angry impersonation, but they
were so helpful and courteous that I was completely disarmed. As soon
as they heard my story they immediately and spontaneously offered to
send me a replacement at no cost and despatched it the next day by
airmail. A month later it still hasn't arrived, but that's no fault
of Sturmey-Archer who were very friendly and efficient.

When I asked if I was likely to experience the same problem with a
new saddle a further 10 months down the road, in Patagonia or the
Andes, Mr Wilkinson said he'd send an enamelled saddle, saying these
are more trustworthy than those with chromed rails. This backs up what
you told me about chrome-plating and also indicates that they are aware
of the problem. The main reason for me choosing a Brooks saddle was the
belief that if I looked after it I'd have a 'saddle for life'.
Had I known it was likely to fail so soon I'm not sure I'd have
bought a Brooks, especially considering the need for maintenance and
the breaking in period.

As for my broken saddle, one of the pleasures of Mexico is the
abundance of tradesmen, who seem to pride themselves in making 'lost
causes' functional again. For one US dollar I had the broken rail
welded - and the same welder built me an identical copy, in steel, of
my broken low-rider carrier for only $3! For another dollar I had a can
of paint and some thin copper tubing to protect the rails. Time will
tell whether this bodging is roadworthy."
Chad Hockey - San Miguel de Allende, 14/12/99

Broken Brooks - 1998.01

I purchased a B17 Narrow Brooks saddle from the CTC about two years
since. I was most surprised the other day when the rail sheared off
just behind the adjuster. Do you think I have any grounds for
complaint, the saddle looks like new?
Gordon Hepworth - Withernsea, East Yorks

Yes you certainly have! From the frequency I hear about it, broken
saddle rails must be one of the most common component failures. And
it's nearly always a Brooks: which is remarkable when you consider
how few bicycles have a leather saddle these days.
Brooks is part of Sturmey Archer, so send it back to them at Triumph
Road, Nottingham NG7 2GL (tel: 0115 942 0800). They're normally very
good about replacing broken parts - so long as the leather top is in
good condition. Ask for painted rails rather than chrome-plated,
they're a bit more reliable.
Chris Juden

01-04-2007, 11:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
Kirby Posts: n/a	Re: Brookes leather saddle failure! see Chris Juden's comments at http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3822 Letter from Central America - 2000.07 I think readers might be interested to hear something of the problems that can beset long-distance cycletourists and the ingenious ways they solve them. Broken Brooks saddle rails (a regrettably common failing of this otherwise excellent product) prompted Chad Hockey to phone me from Mexico last November. I suggested he call Sturmey-Archer Customer Service Department and asked him to let me know what happened: "... I was just about to do a Mr Angry impersonation, but they were so helpful and courteous that I was completely disarmed. As soon as they heard my story they immediately and spontaneously offered to send me a replacement at no cost and despatched it the next day by airmail. A month later it still hasn't arrived, but that's no fault of Sturmey-Archer who were very friendly and efficient. When I asked if I was likely to experience the same problem with a new saddle a further 10 months down the road, in Patagonia or the Andes, Mr Wilkinson said he'd send an enamelled saddle, saying these are more trustworthy than those with chromed rails. This backs up what you told me about chrome-plating and also indicates that they are aware of the problem. The main reason for me choosing a Brooks saddle was the belief that if I looked after it I'd have a 'saddle for life'. Had I known it was likely to fail so soon I'm not sure I'd have bought a Brooks, especially considering the need for maintenance and the breaking in period. As for my broken saddle, one of the pleasures of Mexico is the abundance of tradesmen, who seem to pride themselves in making 'lost causes' functional again. For one US dollar I had the broken rail welded - and the same welder built me an identical copy, in steel, of my broken low-rider carrier for only $3! For another dollar I had a can of paint and some thin copper tubing to protect the rails. Time will tell whether this bodging is roadworthy." Chad Hockey - San Miguel de Allende, 14/12/99 Broken Brooks - 1998.01 I purchased a B17 Narrow Brooks saddle from the CTC about two years since. I was most surprised the other day when the rail sheared off just behind the adjuster. Do you think I have any grounds for complaint, the saddle looks like new? Gordon Hepworth - Withernsea, East Yorks Yes you certainly have! From the frequency I hear about it, broken saddle rails must be one of the most common component failures. And it's nearly always a Brooks: which is remarkable when you consider how few bicycles have a leather saddle these days. Brooks is part of Sturmey Archer, so send it back to them at Triumph Road, Nottingham NG7 2GL (tel: 0115 942 0800). They're normally very good about replacing broken parts - so long as the leather top is in good condition. Ask for painted rails rather than chrome-plated, they're a bit more reliable. Chris Juden