Brooks Saddles and Road Bikes: A Mismatch or Missed Opportunity?

Brooks saddles on a road bike? That’s like showing up to a knife fight with a spoon—confident, but slightly confused.

They weigh a ton, cost a fortune, and look about as aerodynamic as a brick strapped to a missile.

And yet, some people swear by them, like old men defending the taste of warm beer.

Is it madness, or are we all missing something? Let’s dig in.

1. Weight: The Elephant on Your Seatpost

Roadies obsess over weight. They’ll cut their toothbrush in half for a race, but then someone throws a 600g Brooks saddle on their carbon frame and calls it “comfortable.”

Even the “lightweight” titanium versions hover around 360g—twice the weight of a decent modern road saddle.

If you’re climbing hills, that’s dead weight you’re dragging up every incline.

For every gram shaved off your bike, a Brooks saddle puts it right back on.

2. Price: Wallet Abuse

Once upon a time, Brooks saddles were reasonably priced. Then Selle Royal took over, hipsters got involved, and suddenly a B17 costs more than some entire bikes.

The Ti Swallow? £250 ($325). That’s a lot of money for something that might not even fit your butt.

And let’s be honest—if you’re already riding a $10k carbon superbike, do you really want to drop another few hundred bucks on something that looks like it belongs on your grandpa’s commuter?

3. Comfort

Some cyclists say Brooks saddles are the most comfortable thing they’ve ever sat on.

Others claim they feel like medieval torture devices. The truth? It depends on your ass.

If you’re doing long, steady miles—like audax or touring—they can be a game-changer.

But for a fast-paced race? You’re probably better off with something designed this century.

4. Looks: Leather on Carbon?

Imagine a finely tuned aero road bike—sleek, aggressive, futuristic. Now slap a big, brown leather saddle on it.

Looks weird, right? It’s like wearing hiking boots with a tuxedo. Some people can pull it off, but most of us just look like we got lost on the way to a vintage bike show.

5. Stock vs. Aftermarket

Ever noticed how touring bikes sometimes come with Brooks saddles, but road bikes almost never do?

That’s because Brooks isn’t in the game of making package deals with manufacturers like Fizik or Selle Italia.

Also, bike brands love to spec cheaper saddles to hit price points. And let’s be real—most people aren’t expecting a leather saddle when they buy a cutting-edge race machine.

6. Fashion vs. Function: The Cycling Style Police

Cycling has its unspoken rules. Mountain bikers wear baggy shorts. Roadies shave their legs. And Brooks saddles? They belong on touring bikes, not race rigs.

But does that mean they’re actually bad for road bikes?

Or are we just conditioned to think they don’t belong?

Some riders throw tradition to the wind and slap a Brooks on their road bike without a second thought. The rest of us stare, unsure whether to admire or judge.

7. The Reality Check: Performance vs. Practicality

For ultra-endurance riders, comfort outweighs weight. If a Brooks saddle means you can ride further and recover better, it might actually make you faster in the long run.

But if you’re sprinting up hills and hammering out high-intensity rides, every gram and every watt matters.

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Summary Table:

Factor	Brooks Saddles	Modern Road Saddles
Weight	Heavy (360g-600g)	Lightweight (100g-200g)
Price	Expensive ($150-$325)	Affordable ($50-$200)
Comfort	Great for long rides	Varies by fit
Looks	Classic, but odd on carbon	Sleek & modern
Performance	Ideal for endurance	Best for racing
Stock on bikes?	Rarely	Often
Ideal use case	Touring, long distances	Racing, fast road rides

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Conclusion

If you’re chasing KOMs, smashing hills, and racing crits, a Brooks saddle is dead weight.

If you’re grinding out century after century, riding through rain and sun, and don’t care what people think, it might just be your best friend.

But let’s be real—if you’re putting a 600g saddle on your carbon race bike, you’ve either transcended cycling fashion… or completely lost the plot.