Comments on: Velo Orange Saddle Review (Coming Soon–butt not soon enough)

By: Stoof

Stoof — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:05:12 +0000

Got a Velo-Orange model 1 saddle in the mail yesterday. Great service from VO – even though I live in Canada, they got it to me in a week and there were no customs fees. The saddle itself seems to be of a really high build quality, comparable to a Brooks B-17 standard I have, only with hammered rivets and chrome rails. The leather is a bit duller than the Brooks, but I’m hoping it will get more shiny and lustrous with some leather treatment. I took it out for a quick ride yesterday and it did feel very hard – but my experience with Brooks saddles I’m optimistic that it will soften up after a few long rides. Also, the shape is right on for my butt, so it doesn’t even feel uncomfortable as-is. Really happy with it! It’s a steal on sale for $60, and a great deal for $100 compared to the Brooks Swift which is $200+.

By: ploeg

ploeg — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:56:45 +0000

Well, you know how it is, the saddle molds your butt to fit its shape, and over time becomes more comfortable.

Hopefully the saddle wasn’t too bad to begin with. As all experienced cyclists know from painful experience, saddles are a rather personal thing, and a saddle just might not work out, no matter how long you ride on it.

Brooks saddles tend to break in fairly quickly for me. But then again, I’m pretty heavy and sweat buckets, which tends to beat leather into submission fairly quickly. If you don’t think that the break-in process is going as quickly as it should, maybe you might try another treatment of Proofide or Obenauf. Granted, you must bear in mind that whatever you do to the saddle can’t be undone, but let that guide you to be conservative with your treatment, rather than to skip treatment altogether.

By: Ted Johnson

Ted Johnson — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:04:40 +0000

I’m kind of getting used to this saddle, but I’m still way under the 300 miles. The saddle itself doesn’t seem to have changed at all.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:15:18 +0000

Mike the bike:

They’re made in Taiwan, where almost every other bike part you’ve used for the last few decades is made.

SRAM (and their half dozen divisions, eg: rox shox): Taiwan
Shimano: Taiwan, china, Singapore…..
Campy: Taiwan, china (“Italy”)

Velo orange in fact has no products made in china, most from Taiwan, but quite a few small things are American made.

So, um, do your research.

By: Mike The Bike

Mike The Bike — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:27:52 +0000

I own a Velo Orange Model 5. This is a sprung touring saddle which can most closely be compared to the Brooks B67 since both saddles are single rail.
I have ridden this saddle for about 6 months now and it is comfortable but should not really be compared to anything that Brooks makes simply because the workmanship on the Velo Orange saddle is truly sad. I have already had to replace two of the nose rivets because they simply popped off and began to rub on my leg. The rivets are just cheap copper plated steel and poorly staked. I now remove the saddle on a regular basis and check for more failed rivets.
Since I have owned this saddle for more than a year it was out of warranty and Velo Orange would not exchange it. When dealing with Velo Orange remember, their products are made in China and the workmanship reflects this.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:46:10 +0000

@jack actually, that’s still not quite right. The VO model 3 is closest to a Brooks B17 shape, while the VO model 1 is closest to the Team Pro. The difference between the two is width and shape. If you want a more aggressive saddle for fast rides/randonneuring/club riding, the team pro/model 1 are the way to go. Touring, commuting, all-around cycling–go with the model 3 or b17. That’s my two cents anyhow.

By: Columbus commuter

Columbus commuter — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:04:22 +0000

I have three Brooks saddles, sprung and unsprung and they are amazingly comfortable- and they’re stylish.

By: jack

jack — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:42:17 +0000

If you are going to compare saddles, at least provide more accurate information.

The Team pro and the VO model 6 are totally different saddle styles. The Mod 6 is closest to the Brooks Swift/Swallow. the Team Pro has a similar shape to the VO Model 3 or the venerable Brooks B17.

The super narrow Model 6 saddle is much stiffer due to so much leather being cut away, and it’s riveted underneath. It’s a performance racing saddle, more suited for the track than as a daily commuter.
The Team pro and VO mod 3 is better for daily riding and wider sit bones.

By: BluesCat

BluesCat — Thu, 12 May 2011 14:47:50 +0000

DeVon – I had never heard of the Selle An-Atomica.

It looks interesting. The cutouts echo what you see on the Brooks Imperial series of saddles, the object of which is to prevent your riding on your perineum (not a fun thing, as Brian O. mentioned).

By: DeVon

DeVon — Thu, 12 May 2011 02:30:19 +0000

I rode a Brooks in the Netherlands back in the 80s and brought another home. Love ‘em. But the Selle An Atomica beats it hands down. Broken in right out of the box. It has a bit more give than the Brooks. I got my wife one and she loves it too. American made as well.