Brooks Saddle Revisited
03-20-24, 07:19 AM
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Brooks Saddle Revisited
Sometime ago I posted an issue with my B17 saddle. One of the steel rivets is no longer flush. As time goes by it is getting worse. I emailed Brooks. They responded by saying that I should hammer the rivet. That did not work. It worked on my Brooks professional saddle that has copper rivets. I need to remedy the problem before my cycling shorts gets torn from the rivet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
03-20-24, 07:55 AM
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Look up Brian(?) Firth's "shop" that just showed at the Philly Bike Expo. He's done a lot of Brooks saddle work. Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles | Phila. PA Andy
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03-20-24, 08:59 AM
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Is there a reason you can't drill out the offending rivet and replace? Lots of people make screw together rivets that should be close to your size, Brooks sells hammer type and screw type but only for Cambium, Selle Anatomica sells rivets and Chicago screws as do lots of other manufactures.
03-20-24, 09:55 AM
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Sometime ago I posted an issue with my B17 saddle. One of the steel rivets is no longer flush. As time goes by it is getting worse. I emailed Brooks. They responded by saying that I should hammer the rivet. That did not work. It worked on my Brooks professional saddle that has copper rivets.
03-20-24, 11:38 AM
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Sometime ago I posted an issue with my B17 saddle. One of the steel rivets is no longer flush. As time goes by it is getting worse. I emailed Brooks. They responded by saying that I should hammer the rivet. That did not work. It worked on my Brooks professional saddle that has copper rivets. I need to remedy the problem before my cycling shorts gets torn from the rivet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
03-20-24, 06:24 PM
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You need something along the lines of a rivet set to be the anvil underneath the saddle to really get a good smack down.
Probably even a piece of bar stock or maybe all thread.
https://tackstore.org/shop/heritage-...burr-setter-9/
Probably even a piece of bar stock or maybe all thread.
https://tackstore.org/shop/heritage-...burr-setter-9/
03-20-24, 06:45 PM
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I have successfully replaced steel rivets with copper ones on 3 or 4 saddles. I bought the correct rivets from McMaster Carr. They must be annealed before doing g the work.
03-20-24, 08:25 PM
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Quick check----
You do know that you have to dolly the rivet for hammering to work???
My preferred method is to stand a rounded punch in a vise. Set the inside of the rivet, then hammer on the top side.
You do know that you have to dolly the rivet for hammering to work???
My preferred method is to stand a rounded punch in a vise. Set the inside of the rivet, then hammer on the top side.
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Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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03-21-24, 04:02 AM
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Is there a reason you can't drill out the offending rivet and replace? Lots of people make screw together rivets that should be close to your size, Brooks sells hammer type and screw type but only for Cambium, Selle Anatomica sells rivets and Chicago screws as do lots of other manufactures.
03-21-24, 04:04 AM
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I am ashamed to say that I had nothing to support the underside of the rivet. Thanks for the reminder. For the price of the saddle, I should not have to come up with solutions.
03-21-24, 04:47 AM
#11
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I have just lost a rivet, the one at the tip of the saddle. Didn't even notice it until a friend asked me how and when it happened.
My plan is to visit one of the leather shops in the area and see if they can hammer one in. Brooks is just plain awesome, I haven't worn a padded shorts/bib in more than five years i.e. since I switched to Brooks.
My plan is to visit one of the leather shops in the area and see if they can hammer one in. Brooks is just plain awesome, I haven't worn a padded shorts/bib in more than five years i.e. since I switched to Brooks.
03-21-24, 05:31 AM
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Look up Brian(?) Firth's "shop" that just showed at the Philly Bike Expo. He's done a lot of Brooks saddle work. Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles | Phila. PA Andy
Awesome guy.
03-21-24, 11:16 AM
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Remove the rivet as shown on the video, and replace it as shown on the video. You honestly are not going to flatten the steel rivet from its top, that is not how they are intended to be set. It needs to be set from the bottom whilst supported on its top. You cannot hit it on the top and expect it to stay down. The bottom of the rivet needs to be spread out as it is being set to keep the head down flush.
It is easier to remove and replace, but you can reset it if you do it right.
03-21-24, 01:03 PM
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My Brooks Pro from 1967 is still OK with something like 75k road miles on it. BITD Brooks did not peen the rivets, that became cool later, but it comes at a price, namely edges that can lift and rip shorts, but it takes minimal effort to maintain a comfortable saddle for eons.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
03-21-24, 08:45 PM
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Some of us grew up with baseball gloves and made their own belts as a kid. Leather is a cool material that has some interesting qualities, age/exposure patinas. Andy (who is wearing a well patinaed self made belt)
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