Originally Posted by Road Fan

I agree it makes sense, but I'm reluctant to soak a new Brooks saddle in water. I have added oil to them - Proofide many years ago, other materials later, and now back to Proofide. That does not mean I am against the note from Bill Boston's site. So "YMMV" does not apply. But several experts on leather restoration and maintenance say leather needs its oils maintaned. The recommended amounts for a bike saddle are only clarified by Brooks, as far as I can see. At least one such experts is @rhm, here on BF and other forums.

On BF in the past we've had MANY discussions on "Brooks! What do I do?" and I have seen many people say they ruined their saddle. I have not seen that procedure before. I have not ruined one, so I think there is something wrong with the "anti-oil" point of view. Which is why I think if the corporate continuity of Brooks endorses a specific product, even if it's sold under their branding, I think it's most likely worth stucking with their product AND their recommended procedure. But I don't think it's the only good way, since quite few others have not had major problems. I've had used ones that sagged deeply as soon as I bmounted them and started riding, and I have two Team Pro selects of which one is too soft and the other too hard. Buying off ebay or even from List members can be a crap shoot. What I like are the older Brooks B17 Select for my wife's bikes, and a Brooks Swallow Select for trainer-riding. The Swallow started out hard as a rock due to its thickness (the Select leather) and its folding (the Swallow design), but it has a good shape and is starting to be a little resilient.

For my riding the biggest problems with a Brooks Pro and the B17s is the limited capability for setback, unless the seat tube is laid back at least to 70 degrees. The Swallow has the widest portion a few cm closer to the cantle compared to the others.