SMETHWICK, England (BRAIN)—Brooks England is collaborating with the New York City Bicycle Film Festival for the release of a limited edition Swallow.
Only 100 special Swallow models, manufactured with British racing green leather and each bearing an authentic serial number of authenticity, will be available to the public. Proceeds from sales will benefit the 8th annual Bicycle Film Festival which runs from May 28 through June 1.
This BFF Limited Edition Green Swallow features the original steel metalwork and bares a tensioning plate on the underside of the saddle which still features the original patenting information. The Swallow retains the word DEPOSÉ, meaning REGISTERED in French, on its tensioning plate. This was added, originally, as many of the saddles were exported to the continent for the use of racers and tourers alike.
The first Swallow was patented on August 20, 1936, a time when all Tour de France riders used Brooks saddles. Legends such as Girardengo, Bottecchia, Bartali, Coppi and Anquetil all rode Brooks saddles to victory and the coveted yellow jersey. Back then the arrival of the handcrafted Swallow was heralded as revolutionary as it was the first "cut away" saddle design, giving greater freedom of leg movement to the sportive cyclist.
The 100 BFF Limited Edition Green Swallows retail for $250 and are sold exclusively in cooperation with the BFF in NY during the festival or online at: www.brooksengland.com/SwallowBFF.aspx
