Got the new Bates 95% complete, just lacking bar tape, dynamo, lights and computer. Tested it on a 40 mile club run Saturday. It has a Ti rail Brooks Swift, the first I have ever ridden. 90% of my other bikes have Brooks Pro or Ideale 80 or 90, very similar to the Pro in width and construction. The Swift is significantly narrower as well as having Ti rails. Interesting ride, definitely different. Don't know if it is the Ti rails or the narrower width that feels different, but I kind of like it, at least as a change from the Brooks Pro. Don't think I'll trash all my Pros any time soon, but the Swift is worth a try if you can handle the higher price.
BTW, There was some discussion a couple of weeks ago about whether the B17 narrow comes in honey. Someone suggested the honey B17 narrow was only an OEM item for Saint John St. Cycles/ Thorn in UK. I just received a B17 narrow, B17 Standard, and B17 Standard with Ti rails, all in honey, from SJS. So the B17 narrow does exist in honey. The Standard and Ti were in Brooks boxes, while the narrow was in a plastic bag, no Brooks box, which lends credance to the theory that this saddle was an OEM item for SJS.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Houston, TX