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Brooks England Cambium C15 Carved All-Weather Review

A narrower, flexible saddle with durable construction but limited comfort and performance
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Brooks England Cambium C15 Carved All-Weather Review
Credit: Brooks England
Price:  $140 List
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Manufacturer:   Brooks England
By Nick Bruckbauer ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 24, 2019
48
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 12
  • Comfort - 30% 4.0
  • Performance - 30% 5.0
  • Versatility - 20% 5.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 3.0

Our Verdict

The Brooks Cambium C15 Carved All-Weather has a simple classic design similar to many other Brooks saddles but changes things up a bit with its vulcanized natural rubber construction and its anatomic pressure relief cutout. The Cambium line of saddles switches from the traditional Brooks leather construction to a more weather resistant and durable rubber material and the Carved version adds a simple pressure relief cutout to provide relief for the sensitive soft tissues. The result is a more flexible, more durable saddle that would be ideal for touring riders, commuters, or cyclocross racers looking for dependable, all-weather performance.
REASONS TO BUY
Classic shape
Quality materials and construction
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Not very comfortable or supportive

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Best Overall Bike Saddle
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Overall Score Sort Icon
48
79
76
76
75
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A change from traditional leather Brooks saddles with a durable natural rubber materialA uniquely shaped saddle that blends comfort with lightweight performanceAn economical option for riders not concerned about weight that provides all day comfort and supportA lightweight racing saddle for the most aggressive ridersA comfortable balance of stiffness and cushioning, at a price that can't be beat
Rating Categories Brooks England Camb... Prologo Dimension Bontrager Sport Saddle Fizik Arione WTB Speed
Comfort (30%)
4.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Performance (30%)
5.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Versatility (20%)
5.0
5.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
Durability (10%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Weight (10%)
3.0
9.0
5.0
8.0
4.0
Specs Brooks England Camb... Prologo Dimension Bontrager Sport Saddle Fizik Arione WTB Speed
Dimensions L 283 mm, W 140 mm L 245 mm, W 143 mm L 275 mm, W 163 mm L 300 mm, W 130 mm L 270 mm, W 145 mm
Weight (grams) 430 g 191 g 350 g 241 g 379 g
Rail Material Steel Tirox Steel Kium Alloy Steel
Shell Material Vulcanized Natural Rubber Light foam Foam Nylon, Carbon Plastic
Seat Cover Material Organic Cotton Microfiber Microfiber Microtex Synthetic
Anatomical Cut Out or Channel Yes, full cut out Yes, full cut out Yes groove and cut out No Yes, groove
Target Use (mountain, road, etc.) Recreational, Commuting Road, Mountain, Cyclocross Road, Commuting, Touring Road, Mountain, Cyclocross Mountain, Road, Cyclocross

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Brooks Cambium C15 Carved All-Weather shares the racing-inspired design of the C15 line of saddles and adds the vulcanized rubber construction of the Cambium lineup, as well as a carved pressure relief cutout. Our testers found the unpadded material to be a little too hard to rank highly on the comfort scale, and a little too flexible and heavy to rank highly on the performance scale. While most of today's riders wouldn't put this saddle on their racing bike, there are some riding applications where this model could shine.

Performance Comparison


brooks england cambium c15 carved all-weather - this saddle could be a good option for commuting or touring where...
This saddle could be a good option for commuting or touring where weather resistance is a priority.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer

Comfort


This Cambium C15 Carved doesn't score too well in our comfort ratings compared to its more modern counterparts with comfortable padding and higher-end materials. While the classic shape and profile of the saddle is a good fit for many riders, the lack of padding tends to cause pressure points for those with uninitiated sit bones. We also found that the precise “carved” cutout doesn't have any padding or edge taper, and its stiff edges have the potential to cause uncomfortable pressure points. The overall flex of the saddle helps to soften the ride and absorb road vibrations, but not enough to compensate for the lack of padding. Riders who are experienced with firmer saddles may appreciate this design, but riders looking for more cushioning may want to look elsewhere.

The firm, unpadded seating platform and the abrupt pressure relief...
The firm, unpadded seating platform and the abrupt pressure relief carve-out limited the comfort of this saddle.
The firm, unpadded seating platform and the abrupt pressure relief...
The firm, unpadded seating platform and the abrupt pressure relief carve-out limited the comfort of this saddle.
The firm, unpadded seating platform and the abrupt pressure relief...
The firm, unpadded seating platform and the abrupt pressure relief carve-out limited the comfort of this saddle.

Performance


The firm rubberized material and racing-inspired shape of the Cambium C15 Carved have the potential to make this a high-performing saddle, but its heavier weight and high flexibility can limit the support needed for efficient power transfer. The unsupported rubber seat tends to flex a lot and become bouncy when riding on rough roads or when pedaling aggressively, especially with the carved cutout that decreases the overall stiffness of the saddle. While this probably wouldn't be an ideal choice for all-out racing, it is better suited to lower intensity steady riding styles like touring or commuting.

brooks england cambium c15 carved all-weather - the carved pressure relief cutout adds quite a bit of saddle flex...
The carved pressure relief cutout adds quite a bit of saddle flex, limiting the support and power transfer.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer

Versatility


Although it's not the most comfortable or highest performing saddle in our lineup, the Cambium C15 Carved could be a good option for touring, commuting, or even cyclocross racing, where all-weather performance is a priority. The tough vulcanized rubber material and organic cotton canvas cover are ready to stand up to rain, mud, snow, or sweat. However, racers or aggressive road riders will likely prefer a more modern option that is lighter, more comfortable, and higher performing, which limits the overall versatility of this model.

Durability


This saddle is definitely built to last. The tough, weatherproof rubber material and high-quality Brooks construction give a strong impression of excellent durability. We didn't notice any wear and tear during our testing period. The only potential drawback is that the high flex of the saddle could mean that the comfort or performance might change as the saddle breaks in or eventually breaks down. But given the reputation of Brooks saddles, we don't have any doubts that this saddle could stay on your bike for decades.

brooks england cambium c15 carved all-weather - the heavy-duty, weather-resistant materials and classic brooks...
The heavy-duty, weather-resistant materials and classic Brooks construction make the C15 Carved a durable saddle ready to withstand years of abuse.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer

Weight


The Cambium C15 Carved is not a lightweight saddle and comes in at the heavy end of our lineup with a measured weight of 430 grams. While the burly materials and construction will likely withstand years of weather and abuse, the weight penalty for such durability may be a turnoff to riders looking for lightweight performance.

Value


The Cambium C15 Carved retails for $120. The classic Brooks design and construction are high quality, and the durable materials should last a long, long time. For riders looking for a classic design with great potential longevity, this could provide a great long term value. Riders looking for more comfort or lightweight performance will find many other modern saddles in this price range that may better suit their needs.

brooks england cambium c15 carved all-weather - the cambium c15 carved (right) has a similar shape as other modern...
The Cambium C15 Carved (right) has a similar shape as other modern racing saddles, but its heavy materials make it almost double the weight.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer

Conclusion


The Brooks Cambium C15 Carved All-Weather is an interesting twist on the design of a classic Brooks saddle. The heavy-duty vulcanized rubber material will likely provide years of trouble-free use, and the carved pressure relief cutout aims to increase riding comfort and saddle flexibility. While certain riders looking for long term all-weather performance may appreciate this saddle, our testers preferred other more modern options with more comfortable and lightweight materials.

Nick Bruckbauer