I have been a cyclist for years and years, as in I started riding bikes as any kid, 4, 5, 6 years old and never really stopped, now in my nearing my 60th rotation around the sun. For all these years and years, when ever I took a break, which there have been many, when I got back on to ride again, I have had soreness for the first couple of days, weeks when back on the saddle. Not saddle sores, boils or strawberries, but soreness as if I needed to build up or grow accustom to my saddle again. Soreness where I come in contact with the saddle, at my pelvis, inside between my hip joints. I have always run narrow saddles, with the cutout since they came out and still do.
Recently while building up a new bike and returning from not riding for a few weeks, or at least infrequent riding, I went out on a limb and bought the New Cambium Carved C15 from Brooks, a friend mentioned his love for his Brooks B version saddle, so I had an introduction.. Now the C15 is a serious Heavy saddle, when you hold your carbon Sella Italia in the other hand. What is gave up in weight, It blossomed for me in fit, comfort. I'm honestly super surprised at the fact that I have not had a single day of breaking in my pelvis area to the saddle. Now I own the C13 Carved Carbon, they do cost a penny or two. Yet, for me, worth it in every single way. Simply Not having the soreness/tenderness to the saddle, wow!
The C13 is 145mm width, the C15 is 140mm width. So still reasonably Narrow saddles.
I'm honestly over the top surprised and wished that I had tried sooner. They look odd with the lack of foam type padding, but the Natural rubber flex's. You certainly need to find the right tilt to the saddle, as with any, but these no pad, sit right on the structure of rubber, are simply crazy comfortable.
Result may vary, Opinions may vary, just wanted to express mine. thanks for reading.
by derhoemasterofNOT
22 Comments
You’re preaching to the converted in this sub. That saddle is great with bibs and without.
It’s on my list of likely purchases for this year, though maybe a C17 instead.
I rarely think about my C13. 🙂
I had this saddle and sold it after a couple hundred miles. Never took.
Love these saddles. I have them on 2/3 bikes. The 3rd bike I went all out and bought a fizik 3d printed saddle. Dont get me wrong its super nice but honestly wish I would’ve just went w the tried and true C13 carbon
C15 – I have three of them. All day comfort and durable.
Thanks for sharing.
So the only difference between C13 and C15 is only the size?
The pants destroyer
I have a C17 on my gravel bike and love it. Put one on my MTB and, not so much. I think the more upright position doesn’t work as well. It’s still on there but I notice it as the ride goes on whereas on the gravel bike I have 0 problems.
favorite tires there
I have both of those plus two other (non-carved). Perfect for me!
Very polarizing saddle. People either love or hate it. I love it and have one on my commuter and gravel bikes.
I loved it on my commuter bike but it wore holes in all my pants. I don’t understand why Brooks doesn’t do something about this.
I didn’t find it uncomfortable when I tried a C15, but I found the Selle Italia Flite to be at least one or two metric tons lighter & more comfortable, plus it didn’t annoyingly grip & grab my shorts… If you like flat narrow saddles, the Selle Italia Flite in one of it’s various forms would be a good one to look at if the weight & rubber of the Brooks is off putting to you.
I’ve got 10k kms on my c17, love it for all weather conditions
I have the C17 on four different bikes it’s the best saddle I’ve ever had.
I have well over 20,000km on a C15 (not carved) and it’s easily the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever owned. It’s heavy, sure, but I’ve got it on my steel commuter / gravel bike which isn’t light to begin with, so I don’t care. Also haven’t had any issues with it wearing through bibs or any other clothes.
The carbon rails on mine snapped mid-ride… liked it before that though…
They are comfortable but don’t last. Eventually the rubber on the nose will tear.
I just bought a c15 for a resto mod build I am doing with a 1990 trek 1500. Haven’t got all the pieces yet so I have no idea how this saddle will feel, I just liked the look of it and thought the silver rivet/rails matched the silver nitto quill stem, bars, and seatpost.
Sooo this is a nice thread to see. I hope it’s as comfy for me as it is for all of you.
I m riding the C15 Carved All Weather on 4 bikes. One saddle got more than 20k KM and feels exactly like the one I’m using on my newest bike. It’s just MY saddle.
The C13 Carbon Carved in 132 and 145 did not fit at all.
Good tip for new Cambium Saddle Owners:
Push the saddle a bit more forward than you are used to and tilt the nose slightly up. You want to sit „in the hammock“ of this saddle.
I have one and hate it. Also its comically heavy, like the crappiest OEM saddle I have weighs half as much.