Brooks Flyer S saddle

A comfortable saddle has got to be any cyclist’s Holy Grail. Buying a new saddle is almost always like Russian Roulette and the aftermath can be nearly as unpleasant. Over the years, my posterior has been weighed, measured and found lacking, all in the name of getting a saddle that fits and will keep me comfortable when riding. So, it was with some trepidation that I tried the Brooks Flyer S, the women’s version of the company’s suspension saddle Flyer model.

I say trepidation, because the Flyer S seems to take the standard approach to designing a saddle for women, which is to create a saddle of broader dimensions than the men’s version of the same model. The S saddles from Brooks are shorter in the nose, but broader at the back than their male orientated counterparts. Like many women, I’m sure, I personally don’t like riding on broad saddles, and find them uncomfortable. When measured, my sit bones are actually narrower than my husbands, meaning I should be taking a narrower saddle than him, not wider! But, and this is a big but, having tried the Flyer S, it is still the second most comfortable saddle I’ve ever ridden on, even allowing for its relatively generous hindquarter proportions.

The smooth leather of a Brooks takes some getting used to, but there’s a reason that these traditionally crafted saddles are still the perch of choice for long-distance cyclists the world over. The Flyer is one of Brooks’ Trekking and Touring range of saddles, and as such is designed specifically with the needs of long distance touring in mind. As with all Brooks touring saddles, there’s minimal friction, and the leather moulds to its own custom fit over time. The more miles you give it, the more comfortable it gets, but even straight from the box it’s a revelation. There’s no denying the quality of the construction, and the attention to detail. The Flyer just oozes quality and solid reliability, and there’s the distinct impression that it will still be going long after you’ve hung up your panniers. At £65 it costs about the same as many high tech modern saddles, yet will almost certainly outlast them by many years.

The Flyer is no lightweight though, at 795g it is almost twice the weight of most the company’s non-suspension saddles. The weight penalty of the Flyer S over the similarly styled non-suspension B17 S is considerable, but if your route regularly takes in potholes and imperfections in the road, the Flyer’s suspension springs are surprisingly effective, ironing out the worst of the jarring, and giving a noticeably smoother ride, without any marked loss of power. Even the smallest bump is flattened out. For those who find uneven surfaces make for a physically miserable ride, but would love to head off on an adventurous trek or make the most of touring their local trails, the added comfort of the Flyer could possibly justify its extra weight, but it would be a very personal choice.

Whilst the Flyer S as tested was certainly comfortable, I would still have preferred the option of trying a narrower model. Brooks’ men’s saddles come in a variety of widths (152mm upwards), all based on a similar length of around 280mm whereas the S models, at 245mm long are only available in the broader width of 177mm (apart from the Finesse at 170mm).

Verdict

A well made, hardwearing and confidence inspiring saddle, offering superior levels of long distance comfort. The suspension won't appeal to everyone, especially as it nearly doubles the weight of the saddle, but it does its job very well.