On Sun, Aug 1, 2010 at 3:45 PM, JoelMatthews <[email protected]> wrote: > > > The description in my Rivendell No. 3 catalog (Summer 1997) for the Brooks > > B.17 saddle that Rivendell was selling at the time reads as follows > > (Grant's words, I would assume): "The prettiest saddle in the world, > > and the most comfortable we've sat on. A spiffed up (just for > > Rivendell) B.17 with Brooks Pro-thick honey brown leather, large hand- > > set copper rivets, chromed rails, and a chamfered lower edge." > > Aware of this. But Brooks produces many special editions. In fact, > there currently are a number of new in box special editions offered > (at a discount by the way) by other sellers on eBay. > > My issue is not with the seller pointing out the Riv connection. But > rather the implication the mere mention of Rivendell will cause buyers > to part with sense and sensibility. I for one like to think Riv fans > are smarter than the average bear and will not blithely over pay for > something just because the seller says Rivendell. >
I'm not going to argue one way or another if the saddle is worth $200. But there are some well-known differences between that saddle and any B17 you can buy today: -- The ebay saddle was made by Brooks before they were bought by Selle San Marco -- Since Selle San Marco bought the company, the leather quality has diminished. It's both thinner and it's less likely to be selected from the "proper" area of the hide. Both of these issues have been reported by Brooks users over the last couple years on various forums. And as a result (if you believe what you read on the internets), a new B17 today will not last as long as a B17 that was sold a decade ago. None of this refutes the main annoyance you claim, that the seller's "mere mention of Rivendell will cause buyers to part with sense...", but these facts might persuade those in the know to spend more money on this B17 than they would on a new one. Just sayin. -- John Speare Spokane, WA USA http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
