Fahrenheit531 

Picked up a B-17 at the co-op in fairly rough shape. I've given it a double dose of Proofide (top and underside) and reshaped it with a spray bottle and an overnight tie. It's pretty okay now, and it's on my commuter.

Rode in to work today, a bit less than four miles, and I've got a brown stain on my pants. Yep. Nice imprint of the Brooks that I can carry with me wherever I go (whether I like it or not). I had the same issue with an old Ideale I rode some time back and avoided it unless wearing black bike shorts or similar.

So to the Brooks club: Is this something I just need to deal with if I'm gonna ride in jeans or khakis? Is it just a result of the restore which can be eliminated with a thorough buffing? This is my first B-17 and I'd like to like it. Seems comfortable enough on a first impression, and of course has that Brooks class, but saddle stains on all my pants is a deal-breaker.

icepick_trotsky 

How long did you let the proofide dry before you rode it? It takes a good while.

Fahrenheit531 

Last dose was Saturday morning. Warm, dry Arizona air. Do we need more than a day or two?

RobbieTunes

I guess no one at work said "rode in today, eh?"

Velognome 

There is an old cycling article that said something about this, and I quote, " that is why cycling pants are black"

ThermionicScott 

This, of course, is why bike shorts are traditionally black.

EDIT: simul-post with @Velognome!

cb400bill

After applying the Proofhide, did you polish the saddle with a clean cloth before using?

Fahrenheit531 

Wiped, but didn't really do a full shoe-shine buff & polish. Suppose I could do that before I go all Brooks-rage.

@Velognome @ThermionicScott Bummer.

Velognome 

cb400bill means to say, "other than with your pants"?

Velognome 

Sure, fine; but a good dose of proofhide before wearing those new white cotton trousers to work.....you'll be fine...just fine

Fahrenheit531 

Ha.

IIRC, I read somewhere that white trousers call for shoe polish beforehand, not proofide.

ThermionicScott 

The good news is that once you've let it absorb for a little while and then buffed off the excess, there's less to worry about, and darker jeans or slacks won't show the "color transfer" as much. I always make sure that my first few rides after applying more Proofide are with real bike shorts or black gym shorts before riding the bike with jeans.

Fahrenheit531 

Good news, and about what I expected because I can't imagine all the Brooks riders around here wear only bike shorts, only black, all the time. But did want to confirm.
Noted for future reference.

Ed.

Put a plastic bag over it. Works every time.

JohnDThompson 

I have a couple Brooks saddles that are over 40 years old and they will still stain light-colored clothing, even months after the latest Proofide treatment.

There's a reason why traditional bike shorts are black...

Velognome 

Maybe you're pedaling too hard?..

Steve Whitlatch 

Almost getting hit by a truck can cause it as well.

steelbikeguy

as the experienced Brooks users have noted, this is typical. There is dye in the saddle that will be transferred to pants and shorts. Once all of the dye has been transferred, then the staining should be reduced. For instance, here's a photo of a Brooks Pro that I've been using since 1976 (IIRC)....


You can see that there is still a little black dye around the rivets, but otherwise is largely free of black dye. This saddle saw frequent use of neets foot oil, so that may have had something to do with it (as well as the loss of the logo stamp on the skirt). ...or it may have just been the decades of use.

Wearing dark colored pants/shorts is the best advice. I've stained plenty of jeans with this Brooks Pro over the years.

Steve K.

rgver

It's better than the way I envisioned from the title, I pictured a distressingly stained saddle.

AvenirFolder

Brooks butt stain neutralizer: Saddle Cover Waterproof + Jandd Saddle Cover | Amazon.com: Outdoor Recreation .

rhm

New saddles don't do this, but as they age they become increasingly prone to this. It may be a part of the aging process, often seen just before an ad reading "Brooks Saddle... Cheap!"

I agree that Proofide is more likely the cause than the solution. Bearing in mind that Proofide is supposed to protect a saddle from water, I don't think water is going to do anything to remove it. It doesn't really "dry." Perhaps a really nasty solvent would take it out, but at cost....

mparker326

this is a symptom of too much Proofide. Brooks recommends only a small amount. You are going to be stuck with stains until it wears off. Get a cover and ride with it.

dailycommute

I ride 5 brooks saddles (4x b17 variants, one pro), but all were in new or very close when I started them. Never had any staining but use obenaufs vs proofride, and sparingly. Only one has been ridden in rain, and now use a cover on that bike as necessary.

oddjob2

Stick the saddle out in the hot Arizona sun and I'd wager the saddle will suck up the Proofhide.

badger_biker 

Question for the OP - did the stain wash out of the pants?
I recently purchases some tan shorts to use for more casual rides and I don't want to ruin them on one of my Brooks saddles. I've never noticed any issue with jeans but rarely ride in them and don't for a while after a Proofhide treatment.