Last April we published a teaser on the new Cambium C17, Brooks’ groundbreaking non-leather saddle. After seven years of product sourcing and engineering, Books was releasing a very limited number of C17 saddles for real-world testing. Well now the Italians (all Cambium C17 saddles are Italian made) are back from summer holiday and back to hand-crafting these beauties for production. For an inspiring look into this remarkable venture from such a stalwart of the industry, join us past the break…
This year’s EuroBike jury bestowed their prestigious GOLD Award upon the Brooks Cambium C17, the first time a saddle has ever won said award in the “Parts/Components” category.
Some background on the new C17: Brooks decided to turn to design specialists IDEO of San Francisco for a corroborative collaborative effort. (Designboom, Nov. 14) IDEO states the impetus for the C17 was the discovery of a “group of riders who were more in love with the idea of a Brooks saddle than the reality of having to condition the leather and earn a perfect fit for your derriere over time.”
With no need to condition the material or adjust the tension with time, with the C17, Brooks has accomplished what it set out to do. The Cambium is comfortable right out of its cotton bag.
Speaking of cotton, this was the material Brooks and IDEO turned to for the Cambium C17. Fussing woven organic-cotton onto a vulcanized natural-rubber shell, the C17 is structured upon a die-cast aluminum frame supported by stainless steel rails. The result is a “hammock” style design that is said to uniquely absorb vibrations. The entire product is waterproof treated with Brooks’ Numac and hand-crafted in Italy.
The C17’s design is modeled closely on the classic B17, based on the age-old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The Cambium C17 is of limited supply and has been labeled a Limited Edition. But judging by what we know, it just might be worth the trouble of getting your butt on one.
