Getting Saddle Fixed by Brooks - Any Comments

[simonhill]

I have a Brooks Conquest (sprung) saddle with a wobbly nose and a stuck tension bolt. Its 6 years old and well worn in so I am reluctant to replace it but will the cost of fixing exceed the cost of a new one. I am thinking of sending it to Brooks for a 'service'. Before I do, I will contact them for a quote, etc, but was wondering what other's experiences may have been.

Does anyone have any experience of getting work done by Brooks. Cost, value, service, etc?

Thanks

[Tiberius]

A couple of years ago I had two B17s repaired by Brooks. Both of them had snapped adjuster pins and cracked noses (careless or what ??)

I emailed Brooks for a quote to repair them and they quoted £22.50 each (including all parts and return postage) I went ahead and had them repaired and they were returned looking fantastic, all shiny leather with brand new bits and bobs in place. A really nice touch was that they included one of their nice little rain covers for each saddle.

I did consider doing the job myself, all the parts are easily available, but I thought that it might well be a right faff and TBH I thought that £22.50 was money well spent.

Dealing with Brooks was a doddle, with an olde worlde 'cottage industry' feel to the whole thing.....how things used to be.....EASY !!!

[brumster]

Had a Brooks Swallow saddle leather replaced a few years back. First class service.

[drossall]

I broke the frame on my Brooks Team Professional earlier this year. Cost around £50 to have a new frame (chrome steel) fitted. Marginal on economics perhaps, but seemed a waste not to have it done. Very happy with the service.

[simonhill]

Cheers, thanks for replies.

I emailed Brooks full of hope and got a next day reply. Unfortunately it looks like prices have gone up a bit.They said fixing the front of the saddle would cost £40. They also thought the leather might be overstretched and a to replace this as well, added up to £65.

Given that some i'net retailers are doing the saddle for £67, I'm opting for a new one with the old one as a spare.

[Brucey]

with sprung saddles it isn't difficult to fix them. Just undo the nuts and remove the top from the springs and then the nose assy can be taken apart. Free off or replace the nosebolt, do whatever adjustments are required to the nosepiece, and you may be good again.

cheers

[drossall]

I must admit I wouldn't consider repairing a saddle if it were the leather that had gone, because that's most of the value of the saddle. Maybe if I had a titanium frame or something, but mine are all chrome steel.

[Colgrenfell]

Got my b17 repaired after nose pin had sheared (almost certainly my fault after incorrectly tensioning it) .. excellent service from Brooks, great value.

[drossall]

That's a job I have done myself a couple of times. Just keep your fingers out when it finally drops into place!

[thirdcrank]

It's useful to know that Brooks have resumed repair work. IIRC, the last time the subject came up somebody posted the contact details of a former Brooks employee who had been doing repairs privately.

[Brucey]

they would have to do repair work else the only recourse under warranty would be replacement. However, there is something gone badly wrong if the repair cost ever equals the trade price of a new saddle, surely?

cheers

[fastpedaller]

they would have to do repair work else the only recourse under warranty would be replacement. However, there is something gone badly wrong if the repair cost ever equals the trade price of a new saddle, surely?

cheers

Ah... But could it be that Brooks' repair price is still less than the price Brooks will sell you a saddle for? (like most goods) Another retailer's price for new may be far lower than Brooks price.