Brooks C13 cambium

[cc1085]

Hi All,
Would I need padded cycling shorts with a Brooks C13 Cambium saddle? I never wear padded shorts but I got a present of one of these saddles and it feels uncomfortable and hard. Anyone had any experience of said saddle?
Thanks
Thom
Oops that should have been Brooks C15....

[pwa]

Some will say not, but I find Cambium intolerable without padding. I'm not keen even with padding, so you might be better off selling it and getting something that works better for you.

[Nearholmer]

I’ve got a C15, which I think is the same, but with different rails. It’s an incredibly comfortable saddle - it looks hard, but actually has a good bit of “give” in it. I’ve not tried it sans-padding for a long ride, but I’ve got a feeling that with the right underpants and trousers/shorts it might well be OK.

Whether it fits you though is a matter of chance if it wasn’t given to you after a discussion of sizing. Everyone’s backside is different.

[simonineaston]

In my experience, the first sensation you get from the Cambium series is what you're going to get from there on in. There's no wearing in or adapting to your shape. The elastic properties of the rubber base mean it just goes back to exactly how it was when it came out of the mould every time you dismount.

[CliveyT]

Never tried the C13 but like nearholmer I have a C15. My experience was that I needed to move it around to get it comfortable, but once I did so it was perfect. I'm on my second one now but the first one did 20k+ miles and I never needed padding with it.
Saddles are so personal I can't say it'll be the same with you, but I would certainly play around with positioning before giving up on it

[pwa]

I have a C17, now on a shelf, which I had hoped would give me a springy saddle without the maintenance of a leather saddle. But even with padding it left me with sore lower portions every time I used it for more than a few miles, and I went back to using a Gilles Berthoud leather saddle that moulds to one's sit bones with use. Eventually. That is the only sort of saddle that has ever given me a tolerable perch on longer rides. I wanted Cambium to work for me, but it didn't.

[scottg]

Hi All,
Would I need padded cycling shorts with a Brooks C13 Cambium saddle? I never wear padded shorts but I got a present of one of these saddles and it feels uncomfortable and hard. Anyone had any experience of said saddle?
Thanks
Thom

Brooks = uncomfortable and hard, that is the Brooks brand equity.
Cambiums can be OK, at least the all-weather version,
you want a seat post where you can make very small angle adjustments.
The organic cotton version is way too grippy, really odd design choice
considering that Brooks leather saddles are so low friction.

Gilles Berthoud makes the best C-17 version, leather top, and you can take it
to bits and replace any parts, including the top.

[Psamathe]

I need padded shorts on my C13 but I need padded shorts on every saddle I've had. But I like mine.

Ian

[Pinhead]

I have this

https://www.brooksengland.com/en_uk/flyer.html

I also have a padded cover for it when needed, it really is great and I am large, just changing an older Saracen bike to an excersize bike for indoors and bought another for a saddle on the bike

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KT-Sports-Cove ... =549999011

[wmydlarz]

I tried a C17 and 19 hoping them to be a maintenance free replacement to a b17 but found them both to be torture devices so had to go. I don’t ride with padding.

[hamster]

It's strange isn't it - one person's blissful saddle is another's torture device.
For me a B17 narrow is on the OK side of good, whereas a C15 feels better. I love a San Marco Regal, yet the widely liked Selle Italia Flite is unbearable.

Some fit, some don't.

[markjohnobrien]

Hi All,
Would I need padded cycling shorts with a Brooks C13 Cambium saddle? I never wear padded shorts but I got a present of one of these saddles and it feels uncomfortable and hard. Anyone had any experience of said saddle?
Thanks
Thom
Oops that should have been Brooks C15....

Everyone is different.

I find Brooks Cambium (and normal Brooks saddles) comfortable without padded shorts and have no issue with these saddles.

Others would be horrified and need padding.

The only way to tell is to try yourself but there is a lot of give in a Cambium saddle and I, personally, find them comfortable.

[brianleach]

From my brief experience I would also go with padded shorts. Not sure this is much help as I only used what as I recall is a C17 with cutout once.

It was such an uncomfortable saddle I took it straight off when I got back and put the Specialized BG Avatar back on., this being my go to saddle. Why I bought the Brooks I have no idea.

[pwa]

From my brief experience I would also go with padded shorts. Not sure this is much help as I only used what as I recall is a C17 with cutout once.

It was such an uncomfortable saddle I took it straight off when I got back and put the Specialized BG Avatar back on., this being my go to saddle. Why I bought the Brooks I have no idea.

For the same reason I bought a C17 with cut-out? Other people saying they are comfy, plus the great looks? I didn't find mine comfy and went back to a leather saddle that adapts to one's shape. Much nicer on a long ride.

[brianleach]

Other people saying they are comfy, plus the great looks?

Probably, I am easily convinced!!!