A lighter, racier Cambium, plus steampunk as only Brooks can do it.
Stepping into the Brooks booth always feels like entering an enclave of timeless sophistication. (No, I’m not biased.) But that does not mean the brand is not in touch with modern technology. The latest version of the Cambium saddle, the C-13, sports carbon fiber rails under its racy 130mm-wide profile. (It also has its own hashtag: #backontherivet.) The narrower shape and carbon rails help make it truly racing-light at 259g. Its rivets are smaller than those of its siblings and have been recessed on the underside, making the undercarriage resemble that of a high-performance sports car.
It’s a great addition to the Cambium line, which has been popular with riders who often go out in the wet and mud since its rubber-and-canvas seat material is waterproof; these models also do not need as long of a break-in period as traditional leather saddles.
There’s always been a bit of a steampunk thing going on at Brooks, what with all the 19th-century materials. A couple of collaborations blend this style with precise German engineering: Ergon GP1 grips with leather surfaces (naturally breathable), and Lezyne Femto front and rear lights with copper-toned anodising.
A favorite of the grit.cx crew was this hand pump with brass fittings and an old-fashioned liquid-filled compass embedded in the end of the handle. Comes in either a black or tan grip.
