User submitted reviews
Review by Timo
Saddles are a personal preference of course, but Brooks leather saddles work well for my rear. I have several B17s and this is my first Swift. I am still breaking it in, but so far it is comfortable for my 10 mile commute. It will probably take a few more weeks to break in before I attempt a longer ride with it. Shipping with Bike Tires Direct is always super fast, which I really appreciate.
Review by JohnK
I've had the Brooks Swift saddle since 2015. My initial impression wasn't good at all. A lot of cyclists would rave about it so I paid dearly for a new one. However, when I first started using it, it was extremely hard and even with a short ride, I would tell myself, I will just throw it out as it was terrible (at least at the time). Then fast forward several years later, I took it out and started to admire its beauty again and thinking maybe I was all wrong about it. Then one day, I saw a Youtube video of someone treating it with Obenauf's leather conditioner. I said what the heck, what I have I got to lose. So I followed suit. Then after treating it couple of times, then started using it during my routine rides. At first, other than leather feeling somewhat supple, it felt similar as before. So I loosened it a bit and kept it on my road bike. Then, after several hundred miles, I noticed I did not feel anything about the saddle, like it was invisible. Then as I started to enjoy more, the curves around my contour started taking place. Comfort now is just insane and out of this world. It is still beautiful and elegant, but the comfort is just indescribable. I don't use any other saddle now, not even B17 Special which I thought it was very comfortable. The Swift takes it up a couple of notches over the B17 Special.
Review by Anonymous
Good choice for shorter, faster rides. If you have other bikes with Brooks Pro or B17 saddles, the contour of this saddle supports your weight differently, which can be useful if experiencing soreness.
Review by Anonymous
Looks great! Still breaking it in, but honestly it's not been bad at all. Quality saddle.
Review by Jon with no h
I have over 28,000 miles on a Swift (the version with the titanium rails, which saves some grams) and will never part with it. I have moved it from bike to bike as I have upgraded over the years (now on a custom Seven frame). I give it a few minutes of leather care once per year, but that's all. I don't think it is possible to wear it out, and it always feels terrific, even on very long rides. I have put a second one on my indoor smart trainer bike to get that same comfort. You can't imagine what a truly good saddle can do for you until you experience it for yourself. Of all the things that can limit my performance and endurance, my bottom doesn't even make the list.
Review by Brandt
I enjoyed Brooks saddles in the past but still tried to find something better. After returning to the Brooks Swift saddle I have come to the conclusion that it works the best for me. Saddles are a personal preference and the Swift is mine on a Randonneur bike.
Review by RP
Rather than dibby-dab with the Proofhide , I slapped about a table spoon's worth on the underside and pushed it around with a hair drier. Turned it a very dark brown (almost black). Beautiful, Lasted for at least a year with minimal dibby-dab. Was comfortable right from the git, have ridden a few metrics and the saddle never drew attention to itself. What I want.
Review by Eaglerider
Recently put this saddle on my Trek Madone. Looks great and is already starting to break in. Looking forward to many years and miles on this saddle.
Review by Coastsider
Pros Fit, Comfort (for drop bar use), and appearance.
Cons weight and extra care (if you dont plan on taking care of a leather Brooks, dont get one)
I am always trying to improve my riding, but I am not a racer! I ride a couple thousand miles a year and have been trying saddles, other then Brooks, for the past year and have come to the conclusion that it is worth the extra weight for the comfort I get with Brooks.
I put this saddle on my Endurance Roaf Bike and couldnt be happier. Brooks fit me right. I do have to condition the leather, but Im a bike geak that is constantly tinkering on my bikes and take pride in what I ride.
Review by beckdrix
This company has been making Leather Saddles the same way, for 152 years and nothing has really changed New Models come in to play but that's it.....its a piece of Art...I opened the box ....applied Proofide to the bottom and edges let it dry and gave it a second coat edges also then a little on the top let it dry then worked it in a little ..buffed the top with a clean old white t shirt, and left the bottom and bottom edges as it is with 2 layers of proofide on there . mounted it on the bike with the rails parallel to the floor. then with my forearms I leaned on the seat applying medium downward pressure and just massaged and moved my forearms around back and forth the seats length and also rubbed the sides inward for maybe 45 minutes while watching some TV... I figured this might do the same thing to the Leather as putting a couple Hundred miles on it....Well doing that worked out Great... took it for a quick spin and it became a two and a half hour Legal Smile ride....I absolutely Love this Saddle ..its Perfect on my Old Cannondale mountain bike.... the saddle is narrower then some but not by much.. it is so perfect....I just want to Ride now when I look at the bike and I do if I'm not working...Brooks Saddles make people want to ride all they can ...I don't think another Saddle on the Planet does that.....also they get better looking and even more comfortable with age...as far as the concern of rain...if you have Proofide layers on the bottom and bottom edges I don't see how it could get drenched to be soaking wet....in the old days it never got brought up ...Hope this helps P.S. great price and fast shipping right here at Bike Tires Direct.... Thank You
Review by Anonymous
A little narrower than the b-17, but looks great and is super comfortable once broken in.
Review by Andrew
Did'nt even have to break it in.
Review by JAM44
I have had my Swift for about 7 years. I ride about 3,000 - 3,500 miles a year. It is simply the most comfortable saddle I've ridden. I was concerned and put off getting one because I had heard stories about how difficult it was to break in. However,I really didn't have a problem with break in. I recall that the seat felt pretty comfortable from the start and I guess that within 50 miles it fit me perfectly. In all the years I've been riding a Swift I have only adjusted it once. I do wax it (from the underside) at the beginning of each season. I plan on riding this saddle into heaven, where all cyclists have the wind at their back and newly paved roads.
Review by Zoby
Very happy with my purchase. Was slightly stiff first 100 miles, not uncomfortable. Totally broken in by 250. My training rides are 40 miles, club rides 50 - 100. Absolutely no numbness in my crotch. Of course, check your height and angle of installation. I bought an extra tin of Proofide. Looks fantastic on my steel Bianchi Vigorelli. It weighs 14 of a pound more than my last saddle. I've lost 15 pounds since I bought it. I'm sure I ride a little more and train harder because of extra comfort.
Review by Chris
As pretty as it is heavy. Add a touch o' class and a solid ass-groove to your steed.
Review by Sore Butt Dan - No More
The Brooks Swift Steel Saddle is a great saddle. It fits and feels comfortable on my rear-end. It does not rub on my thighs or sit bones. The leather is smooth and allows me to pedal properly without tugging and pulling on my skin like most other saddles. I highly recommend the Brooks Swift Saddle. ---- Daniel Staples Emmett, Idaho
Review by dingee
dependable, trustful, and low with a bucket of regrets. nothing to fret.
Review by Anonymous
I highly recommend this product - Brooks Swift Steel Leather Saddle. At first ride the saddle was a little still, but once you have ridden it numberous times it is very comfortable. I like the antique honey (brown) which matched my taupe color roadtour bike and the hammered copper rivets.