nubcake

Sorry if I missed previous posts but I did try to search and didnt find much.

I am about to buy a Brooks team professional but am a little concerned about its ability to handle rain. I like most of you guys ride regardless of conditions and am concerned about its ability to handle being ridden in wet weather. I have heard about covering the bottom in profide and I know about saddle covers but find it hard to imagine riding with a saddle cover being comfortable. I also am not sure about how bad it would be if I happen to get caught out in an unexpected rain storm. I am mostly concerned about rain while riding, I am lucky enough to be able to store my bike inside or under cover the majority of the time.

Id really appreciate your advice on how your brooks has handled rain and what you have done to make it handle rain better.

thanks

4000Miles

I use my Brooks on my commuter and will be using it on a long sagged tour this summer (see sig). So far, I've found that just covering it with a plastic shopping bag works fine for keeping the rain out while it's parked and for riding in the rain. I don't even notice it while I'm riding with the shopping bag on, but I also wear jeans while commuting, so you'll have to judge for yourself. I find that keeping the bag stuffed under the seat inside the rails helps to keep spray off the bottom when it isn't raining but the ground is still wet.

Machka 

My Brooks survived this ... https://www.machka.net/brevet/2005_600.htm with no ill effects.

And this: https://www.machka.net/1000/1000km.htm
And this: https://www.machka.net/australia/oct26.htm
And numerous other rides in the rain over the past 5 years.

I have a plastic grocery bag tucked in the rails when I ride, and I put it over the saddle on rainy days, when I park the bicycle.

bhchdh 

A simple plastic bag is the answer. I find the ones from bookstores to be a little bit heavier, and longer lasting. Just ball it up, push it up between the seat rails, and it will be there for even a biblical downpour.

Abneycat

I'm a bit pickier, and bought a saddle cover as an add-on while ordering some other stuff. It works quite well, I don't find it uncomfortable. This one in particular is by Brooks and fits the saddle well, there is an elastic along the perimeter that holds it on pretty tight.

The bags work quite fine too.

BengeBoy 

When I'm riding my bike my butt is on the saddle; that seems to do a nice job of keeping the water off.

When I'm not riding the bike I try not to let the saddle get drenched. If I have to leave the bike out for any length of time I put a plastic bag over it.*


*A park near my house has little plastic dog poop bags in a dispenser. Those bags are the perfect size for a Brooks saddle. I highly recommend them.

nubcake

hmmm... I guess you just put all my fears to rest about using a brooks in bad weather. I bet your pretty hard on equipment as well Machka. btw, always liked your site. It is one of the reason I am going to do my first couple randonee's this year.

Thanks for the tips everyone, the brooks will be on the way tommorow now!!

bccycleguy

I have ridden for days in the rain with no apparent effect on a B17.

When my bike is left outside and it's raining I put a shower cap over the saddle, the clear plastic type with an elastic around the edge that you get free in motels. They weigh almost nothing and I've used the same one for up to 2 weeks.

mudmouse

Yep, shower cap or plastic bag when off the bike. Tuck it in the rails when riding. Works great. I ride in the PNW so lots of rain.

kari

juggleaddict

lol, everybody seems to say the same thing,

ok, well while i would use the bag, haven't yet, only had the saddle for 3 months and have been graced by no rain when i ride

but, the particular brooks you're looking at (team professional) is the same model i have, and from what i've read about it, it is the "thickest" and toughest saddle they make, and takes the longest to break in. . . but this is just what i've read. to be honest, this is my first, and after about 300 miles, it's a DARN fine saddle, that may end up on the LHT when i get it, unless i get a B17 like the rest of the croud

in any case, if this is true, even if you are stuck without a bag, if it doesn't affect the B17, i would think it wouldn't affect the professional

WHILE I'M HERE::: the professional is made for riding with the handlebars lower than the seat or at the same level. on an LHT, do you think a B17 would be more comfortable in the long run? (seeing that the handlebars will be higher than the saddle) or just use the one i have?

juggleaddict

dangit, i spelled crowd wrong :'(

Bekologist

brooks in the rain...

I cover mine at night on tour. you don't want to ride them when soaked or they will stretch a bit more than you want them to.

grinningfool

Use snow seal on the bottom of the saddle to protect it from tire spray.

tarwheel 

Apply Proofide to the bottom of the saddle as well as the top. Don't tension your saddle when it is wet! (Unless you want to ruin it.)

xilios

Shower cap here also, over the saddle every night and over the helmet in the rain

onbike 1939

[QUOTE=juggleaddict;8501546].......................
but, the particular brooks you're looking at (team professional) is the same model i have, and from what i've read about it, it is the "thickest" and toughest saddle they make, and takes the longest to break in. . . but this is just what i've read. to be honest, this is my first, and after about 300 miles, it's a DARN fine saddle, that may end up on the LHT when i get it, unless i get a B17 like the rest of the croud

The butt leather used in the Pro is thicker than the B17 but not as thick as the Colt model. Both take longer to break-in because of this.



WHILE I'M HERE::: the professional is made for riding with the handlebars lower than the seat or at the same level. on an LHT, do you think a B17 would be more comfortable in the long run? (seeing that the handlebars will be higher than the saddle) or just use the one i have?
Experience tells me that the Pro is better used in a more "racing" position and the B17 is more suitable for more upright positioning. Why would you want the bars higher than the saddle on the LHT? after all they don't have to be and it does place more weight on your backside. Why not the more usual touring position with the bars and saddle at the same height.

juggleaddict

that's what i thought n.n', which means i'll probably end up with a B17, but i've heard of people using a pro for touring before. and true enough on positioning, to be honest i've only hopped on a touring bike that actually fit me once, and it was the safari, so i haven't really felt what it's like to be on a "classic" touring bike. but i had simply assumed the handlebars would be higher. the hoods on my road bike now are level with the seat, but the bike is one size too big. the pro does seem much more comfy when i'm in the drops. but this could be a mind game. . . besides. . . perhaps i couldn't bring myself to take the saddle off my roadie O:-)

skookum

Off topic but cute bird, kari.

chipcom 

Best protection for the bottom of the saddle when riding in the rain, in addition to a bag stuffed under the rails or snoseal, are FENDERS!

HardyWeinberg

Yep. Fenders, snowseal, plastic bag on bottom, butt on top.

tarwheel 

A saddle bag also helps shield the bottom of the saddle from road spray.

rhm

Where does this information come from? I know it is common knowledge on the forums, but it's not in any Brooks publication I have ever seen.

Butterthebean

I've used the Brooks cover which has a very snug fit. I've ridden with it on the saddle and you don't even know it's there.

I also have to second what Chipcom said....fenders keep alot of water off the bike...especially the underside of the saddle.

nubcake

I actually dont have fenders yet but I do have a rack that does a good job keeping water from flinging off the back wheel. After thinking way to hard on which brooks to go with I decided on impulse at the last second to go with the b17 narrow and a jannd seat cover (brooks covers are only sold in boxes of 8 or 10 through qbp) so ill keep that tucked under the saddle until I need it, which should be soon cause they are calling for rain every day for the next week...

On the team pro being the thickest leather, I didnt see it from brooks anywhere but quality does mention the thing about the thicker leather in their description.

thanks again for the re-assurance everyone

Randochap

I have a Brooks saddle cover which velcros under the rails, but used a shopping bag for years. I have a 32 y/o Pro that's seen plenty of rainy rides. It goes without saying that you should have fenders.