My Brooks is destroying my clothes
03-10-12, 04:59 PM
#26
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I have a black B-17 that I have ridden for more then five years. I ride regularly in kakhi work pants or shorts and have no problems. I find that Dawn dish washing liqued is an excellent grease cutter, working well on chainring stains and even for cleaning chains. Be sure to wipe off the excess proofide.
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"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
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"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
Last edited by bhchdh; 03-10-12 at 05:04 PM.
03-10-12, 06:47 PM
#28
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Especially since Brooks has an amazing reputation.
I would suggest, please, changing the name. Brooks Saddles are not in question.
I would suggest, please, changing the name. Brooks Saddles are not in question.
03-10-12, 07:01 PM
#29
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"My Cannondale Carbon Frame is a Heavy Dog"...
But it's not really carbon, it's pressed steel. And it's not a Cannondale, either.
I hate riding it.
Anybody else have this issue?
But it's not really carbon, it's pressed steel. And it's not a Cannondale, either.
I hate riding it.
Anybody else have this issue?
03-10-12, 08:57 PM
#30
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I've got two Brooks black saddles, and never a stain on my khaki cotton shorts.
03-11-12, 12:10 AM
#31
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Thread Starter
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
Most leather saddles are dyed black. Oiling the saddle will partially dissolve the dye, which will stain on your clothes. This is why cycling shorts are black. Wear light colors at your own risk! If you must wear day-glo pink shorts, put a seat cover on the saddle.
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
03-11-12, 06:36 AM
#32
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I've never had a problem with the honey b67, but I never wear "good" fancy pants or anything...just jeans, cheap jogging pants, cargo shorts, etc.
03-11-12, 09:05 AM
#33
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^This.
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
https://sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
https://sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
The Profide I have noticed a residue shortly after using it. Its a water proofing agent. I do make sure to buff out the saddle really well after allowing the Profide to settle in over night. Again this is a problem with the product being applied to the saddle not Brooks brand saddles specifically.
03-11-12, 12:01 PM
#34
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03-11-12, 01:02 PM
#35
Banned
only recently have bike shorts not been black, for a reason..
I dont apply Proofide so often, in fact 30 years ago I treated my
Brooks Pro by heating the saddle in the oven to the melting point ,about 100F,
of the waxes in the stuff, saddle upside down, the big dollop of melted waxes
soaked in and then It has been fine ever since..
though in a wet climate , commuting, I don't have the saddle on a bike
I leave out in the rain under a heavy plastic bag.
you might throw a plastic bag over your saddle when you put on your Khakis ..
I dont apply Proofide so often, in fact 30 years ago I treated my
Brooks Pro by heating the saddle in the oven to the melting point ,about 100F,
of the waxes in the stuff, saddle upside down, the big dollop of melted waxes
soaked in and then It has been fine ever since..
though in a wet climate , commuting, I don't have the saddle on a bike
I leave out in the rain under a heavy plastic bag.
you might throw a plastic bag over your saddle when you put on your Khakis ..
03-11-12, 02:04 PM
#36
In the right lane
Thread Starter
I was surprised by the link posted by Six Jours. The response seems to be coming from Brooks support.
Written by Janet Jones from UK 7/9/2011
I am having a problem with my B17 ladies saddle in so much as it stains my clothing. I have used the proofhide on it from time to time, but I think the black colour must come out of it as the seat of my trousers, after riding the bike for a while, turns grey.
I have had the saddle for 3 years now and do not want to change it as I have broken it in nicely, but do need a solution. Do you have one? (apart from wearing black trousers all the time!!!)
A> All leather saddles (including the ones made by our competitors) stain light clothing over time. The best solution is to use a saddle cover when wearing light trousers. This is also the reason that cycling shorts traditionally are black, btw.
I am having a problem with my B17 ladies saddle in so much as it stains my clothing. I have used the proofhide on it from time to time, but I think the black colour must come out of it as the seat of my trousers, after riding the bike for a while, turns grey.
I have had the saddle for 3 years now and do not want to change it as I have broken it in nicely, but do need a solution. Do you have one? (apart from wearing black trousers all the time!!!)
A> All leather saddles (including the ones made by our competitors) stain light clothing over time. The best solution is to use a saddle cover when wearing light trousers. This is also the reason that cycling shorts traditionally are black, btw.
03-11-12, 08:01 PM
#37
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^This.
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
https://sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
https://sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
03-12-12, 08:34 AM
#39
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I don't get staining from either of my black Brooks saddles...
I also only use Proofide on the underside.
I also only use Proofide on the underside.
03-12-12, 09:56 AM
#40
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I have never had any staining from my black B.17. I only use proofide in the winter, when I'm not riding my bike.
03-12-12, 10:53 AM
#42
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I use Proofide sparingly, wipe off the excess before riding, wear dark jeans (when I do wear jeans), and have had no trouble with staining. Oh, and I don't start libelous threads about problems I'm worried could happen. 
It would be like starting a thread titled "Gerv keeps kicking my dog!" when in reality, he just looks warily at it when riding by. See how this works?
It would be like starting a thread titled "Gerv keeps kicking my dog!" when in reality, he just looks warily at it when riding by. See how this works?
03-12-12, 11:07 AM
#44
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I've applied Proofide exactly once to my saddles, and the youngest one is 3 years old. I'll tell you my trick. When I first got the saddles, I applied a coat of Proofide top and bottom, then placed the saddle in my car for a day. A day in a car in Florida is like sitting in a barbecue smoker for a day. I think it melts the Proofide right in.
To be fair, I've never allowed my saddles to get wet, other than from butt sweat. I carry a saddle cover, and if there's a hint of rain it goes on.
To be fair, I've never allowed my saddles to get wet, other than from butt sweat. I carry a saddle cover, and if there's a hint of rain it goes on.
03-12-12, 11:46 AM
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Brooks themselves state that "All leather saddles stain light clothing over time." Frankly, until I came across this thread, I thought that was common knowledge. I kind of doubt Brooks would look at this discussion as defamatory.
FWIW, I have some blue and green shorts, in addition to black, and I've had zero stain problems on those from my Brooks saddles (it's the truth, your honor!).
03-12-12, 05:56 PM
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I use Brooks saddles on a regular basis. Mostly I wear black wool shorts with them. But I also have a "dedicated" pair of khaki shorts that are permanently stained by my black Brooks saddle. I suppose this will be exhibit "A" in the lawsuit. Exhibit "B" will be the Brooks website warning that Brooks saddles will stain light-colored clothing.
I would've thought fans of English bike parts would have a better grasp of English.
I would've thought fans of English bike parts would have a better grasp of English.
03-12-12, 07:16 PM
#48
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My experience using black Italian leather saddles for a long time, is that over time they get dirty with accumulation of dust. At least once or twice a year, I notice the leather appears dry or leaves a dirt mark when wiped with a light towel. What I do is clean it with saddle soap (Kiwi brand), following the directions on the label. The result is a clean and moisturized leather that looks newer and leaves no dirt mark. I've not used Proofide, so cannot say whether or not it is the equivalent or different from saddle soap. Would anyone who's used both products comment on a comparison of Proofide vs. saddle soap? Thanks.
03-12-12, 08:23 PM
#49
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Thread Starter
I use Brooks saddles on a regular basis. Mostly I wear black wool shorts with them. But I also have a "dedicated" pair of khaki shorts that are permanently stained by my black Brooks saddle. I suppose this will be exhibit "A" in the lawsuit. Exhibit "B" will be the Brooks website warning that Brooks saddles will stain light-colored clothing.
I would've thought fans of English bike parts would have a better grasp of English.
I would've thought fans of English bike parts would have a better grasp of English.
Apparently, Brooks leather is quite unlike any other. You believe you have a Brooks saddle, but do you have any evidence to back up your claim? From all testimony here, your claim is doubtful. I suspect your really sitting on an Ideale or a Gyes. Other, inferior saddles claim to be made of leather, but in reality are made from other hides, probably kangaroo or somesuch. There is only one true leather saddle... and it is a Brooks.
I need to ad the mods for forgiveness taking the name of Brooks in vain.
03-13-12, 06:39 PM
#50
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I use saddle soap on my leather boots, but have only used Proofide on my saddle. I did, though, wonder if the saddle soap would work. I suspect that you'll be fine. I just wasn't willing to take the risk. One product to be wary of is mink oil. I learned the danger of mink oil early on, by ruining a pair of boots with it. Mink oil will soften leather to the point that it loses all shape. Stay away from it.