Hi Richard!
I haven't had any problems with the Swallow or Team Pro in terms of construction, but I have in terms of suitability for purpose.
Let's look at how the saddles differ:
The Swallow measures 153mm wide x 285mm long
The Team Pro measures 160 wide x 273mm long
The B.17 (Standard-series, not Narrow) measures 175mm wide x275mm long
Now, let's look at what happens when you sit on a saddle in various positions:
A person sits on their ischial tuberosities -- sit bones. Those vary in effective width depending on how upright you sit. As you lean forward, the pelvis also rotates forward and the bony prominences converge (narrow). As you sit more upright, the pelvis rotates backward and the spacing of the sit-bones becomes effectively wider.
None of this would matter much except the Brooks saddles are essentially leather slings riveted to a steel frame rail at the rear. If the saddle (as defined by the steel rail...the suspended leather is much narrower) is too skinny for your position/sit bones, you end up sitting on the steel frame at the rear. Having learned this early on the hard way, I can tell you after a few miles it is exquisite agony, and it will never get better, 'cos the human sit bones are *
not* stronger than the steel subframe. My experience was with a gorgeous Fujita Pro saddle with a very thick water buffalo cover. It killed me for touring (actually wore
holes in Danneaux!
) but worked wonderfully well for my neighbor, who put it on a bike with a very long-reach stem and he mostly rode on the drops. Riding that way, his sit-bones were narrow enough to ride on suspended leather. Sitting more upright, I got the steel flange --
ouch!
I really think this is one reason why some people don't like leather saddles -- the saddle isn't matched to their intended use and they're riding on the unyielding rear support flange, instead of being nicely suspended on a hammock of leather that quickly shapes to their behind.
The trick, then, is to match the saddle width to your intended position. If you tend to raise your handlebars until they are the same height as the saddle top, go with the B.17. If your handlebars are considerably lower than the saddle-top or you habitually use the drops, then you'll be fine with a Swallow or Pro. It's down to horses for courses. Andre can tell you that for even more upright use, nothing beats one of Brook's spring-equipped saddles, and he is absolutely correct. For the gentleperson riding in an upright position, I can think of nothing better. However, for general touring, the B.17 and its variations rules. For sporty-speedy use, the Swallow or Team Pro should be fine.
Best,
Dan.
