Since 1866. Yes, actually.
Brooks England has been making leather goods since 1866 — and bicycle saddles since one very uncomfortable commute in 1878. When John Boultbee Brooks’ horse sadly died, he borrowed a bicycle to get to work. Solid wooden saddle. No pneumatic tyres. Zero comfort. Instead of accepting the pain, he decided to make something better. The first Brooks leather saddle was born shortly after.
A few years later came the B17, introduced in the 1890s. Designed for touring and long-distance riding, it’s been in continuous production for over a century — basically the longest-running bicycle product out there. It’s carried racers, round-the-world tourers, commuters, and plenty of people who just wanted their bike to feel really, really good.
Brooks didn’t stop at saddles either. Since the 1880s they’ve made bags, handlebar luggage, satchels — they even patented a golf bag that mounted to a bike in 1909, which feels wonderfully unhinged in the best way.
There were tough years. In the 80s and 90s, careful British manufacturing wasn’t exactly trendy. But in 2002, under the Selle Royal Group, the brand found a new lease of life — keeping the heritage, the craft, and the obsession with doing things properly.
Then in 2013 came the Cambium range: Brooks saddles without leather. A bit rebellious. Very clever. Still unmistakably Brooks.
At the core of it all? Craftsmanship. Hand-hammered rivets. Saddles that mould to you over time. The kind of thing you “just try once” and then suddenly have on multiple bikes.
Fun fact: Jacob, founder of La Chouette, actually went to visit the Brooks factory in Birmingham. His official review? “It was super interesting for a bike nerd.” Which, honestly, might be the highest compliment possible.
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