Brooks EnglandCambium C13 Carved, Carbon Racing Waterproof Saddle

No saddle (incl this one) will be for everyone. But, for those whose dimesions meshes with any of the three width/sizes and more-rounded proportions, this saddle is likely to impress. It's nature is more pure race (hard, slimlined) and won't likely work for folks who are "calibrated" to larger, thick-padded sddles..It has the classic Brooks DNA (although this seems the only model made in Italy under Selle Italia). What is unique here is the composite, top-sheet material that is subsequently thermo-molded into the saddle shape (flat or cut-out): a nylon woven cover with a vulcanized rubber underlayer (flame-bonded). The high-heat, thermo-molding process in a die creates the shape - but also a surface hardness that is necessary to hold the shape.The benefit of this composite - at least by design - is twofold: body-comforming contact surface and a vibration-buffering layer (rubber) that reduces road vibrations transmitted through the seat post into the saddle. But, are those intended rider benefits realized in said design? My read is YES. You would think a fat foam layer would be better for both of these design goals. Nada. For lots of reasons. Sinking into saddle, foam compression changing fit/feel/height and lack of vibration dampening with such cushy PU or EVA foams.This saddle will look and feel good on anything from a commuter bike, gravel or just short of a full-blown race bike to take a bit of the edge off road chatter and bring into your world one of the iconic cycling brands of cycling's history. Just make sure you are OK with a hard, composite-molded saddle. The Cambium sub-brand/line-extension was not just a savvy branding move for Brooks, but a true technical innovation worth exploring.

I bought the carved Brooks Cambium C13 158mm over a year ago and was amazed at how comfortably it fit me and my riding style. I just bought a new bike, so I need another C13! If I can manage it, this will be the only saddle I ride ever again.That being said, all the usual caveats apply - saddles are *very* anatomy specific and your riding style is also a big factor. I got into riding on a fixed gear with skinny tires on horrendous Michigan roads - that taught me to put a lot of my weight on my feet instead of the saddle. I'm also a bantamweight rider with narrow sit bones (ischial tuberosities). Leather Brooks saddles never broke in enough for me to get comfortable and the other saddles I rode were either so padded it felt like straddling a sofa or so hard that my feet would go numb after 8 miles.The carved Cambium C13 flexes a lot right out of the box. But, at least for me, it doesn't feel bouncy. I don't ride huge distances, but I'm comfortable in street clothes for 25 mile rides with no issues. Flex doesn't fix a bad fit, so take the time to measure your sit bones to get the right width (I was nervous about going for the wider 158mm size, but it presents a slightly flatter platform that works *really* well for me).

Well made and initially very comfortable, but some minor chaffing after 2 hours.Others may not have this problem.

After going through most of the top saddles- no matter how much money I spent- I found one that didn't upset my sit bones or taint after 60-80 miles. I tried the Fizik Versus printed, Specialized Power Pro Mirror printed, Romin Evo printed, Fizik Aliante, and many others through the years as a roadie- which is important because you can use almost any seat as a MTB'r. All the printed saddles felt great from 1-50 miles- after that, all hell broke loose- I think it came down to a few factors- instead of sitting higher on the sit bones themselves, the bones sunk in and I was more on the surrounding tissues and taint- which won't happen on the C13- I am suspended more on the bones- so the soft tissues just rest on the saddle surface- but here is the difference- this saddle gives 3x as much during "bumps" as any printed saddle- it flexes away from the bones easily 3/4 inch due to its rubber hammock-like construction- yes, consider this saddle a type of SUSPENSION you didn't know you had- and at the same time, you can slide forward and backward on a whim- not like the printed saddles that capture the sit bones. I don't care about the added grams- because it actually lets me ride the bike without wanting to stop to give my undercarriage a break.Final words- when I opened the saddle and pushed on it, my thumb moved the saddle a full inch into the center and down- whaaaaa? crazy- but it works. When I finish a ride and feel my sit bones- normally they are sore- with this saddle they were NOT- is it perfect? no- I wish we could all go 100 years into the future to see the saddles, but this older tech will work for me- for now- especially on rough gravel and pot holes.

I have several other Cambium's on bikes, but this is the first C13 with carbon rails. Super light on a new Moots I just picked up. As comfortable as the C15 line, and C17 I have on a touring rig. Highly recommended.

Most painful saddle ever! Waste of money.

Originally bought this for my road bike. The seat is extremely comfortable with excellent conforming contour. It does have a level of elastic give, that I felt compromised some power output on my road bike. I took it off my road bike and mounted atop my gravel bike (Salsa Cutthroat). The superior contour and elasticity are excellent on gravel. Provides great comfort and reduced fatigue.

It was not fit for hubby’s cycling comfort so we had to return it. It does look pretty sleek and gave the bike a very minimal look. It’s too bad it’s not as comfortable. Ended up buying the Brooks leather saddle instead and haven’t looked back.