scotch

Hello Brooks Saddle folks,

After two years on my B17, which I love, I’ve noticed that it’s wearing more on the left than on the right, causing me to be off balance when I ride. The asymmetry is clearly visible. I’ve confirmed that the rails aren’t bent and the saddle is mounted to the seat post level. I treat it regularly with proofide to keep it in good shape. I admit that I haven’t tightened the hide. To be honest, I’m afraid I’ll screw it up somehow.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Some photos of my B17

Update: Hi everyone. Thanks so SO much for all the replies, observations and suggestions. This is has been really helpful. Brooks is essentially telling me that this is normal and I should re-tension the seat. As a few have suggested, I think the left rail is actually a bit bent. Also, I believe I do have the seat a bit too high. Not sure what I'll do at this point. Clearly Brooks isn't interested in warranteeing the seat. I'm thinking of lowering the seat per Steve Hogg's website and see if that makes a difference in how it feels. It won't fix anything structurally, but maybe it will feel better.

thumpism 

First and second photos make it look like it drops to the left from the rear. My own leather saddles show signs of asymmetry; very few bodies are flawless and saddle rails can bend. I'd take it apart to check more precisely, Good luck!

big chainring 

Rails look tweeked to me.

djb

Re the gouge or two on mid seat, you didn't forget bike on car roof and drive into garage?
something looks tweaked to these eyes.

oh, and holy crap you guys south of us in NH really got snow early this year!

djb

I would send these photos and perhaps more detailed ones directly to Brooks, they will give you more definite answers and possible options of what to do.

cyccommute 

Check to see if the frame is broken. I broke one after about 20,000 miles. Firth and Wilson Transport Cycles can repair them

phughes

I had the same problem. The reason mine did that, was what is usually to blame. My seat height was too high, causing me to drop to one side to compensate. I dropped to the right, causing to to wear more on that side. You look to be dropping to the left.

Check out Steve Hogg's website for his articles on setting seat height.

If you have truly confirmed your rails are not uneven, then it is most likely the seat height.

scotch

Thanks so much for the suggestion of Steve Hogg’s website. That is a lot nfo on seat height. I look forward to delving into it

pdlamb

Also, if you're using clipless pedals, make sure the cleats are equidistant from your hips. It's easy to have one skootched a little forward of the other, or one leg might be longer.

djb

Going back to your first photo, with bike on car rack, as well as shot of it on table, the seat bag straps are clearly uneven, so it's not an uneven leather wear thing.
Add some new photos and send them to Brooks, asking them for specific photo details they may want to see, or measurements for you to make.... they are the pros and will have seen every issue around, and will have the best advice.

you say that according to you, things are not bent, but the photos seem to be very clear that part of the frame isn't level.

you buy this new or used?

scotch

Thanks so much for your feedback and observations, especially about the seat straps.

I bought it new in 2017. I emailed Brooks, including photos. Their response is below:

It is normal for the saddle to react differently on one side - this is all part of the leather adapting to the rider and often the rider will exert more power/pressure through one leg over the other.

Re-tensioning the saddle will help to prevent the difference from becoming too extreme

However, it is important to be sure that only the nut is turning - the pin itself should not turn - and so moves down the pin; if the tension has dropped by too much, the the "lock" that stops the pin from turning will not work and you will then need to hold the pin still manually

staehpj1

I am skeptical of their reply. The frame looks twisted to me. It looks like something is bent or broken. I set it on a dead flat surface and support the nose so that it isn't resting on the leather sides. Then you can accurately measure the height of the frame on both sides at various points and compare for differences. I bet you will find that the heights are mismatched significantly, but I could be wrong. It really looks like there is probably a downward bend in the left rail behind the seatpost clamp. I have had other non brooks saddles crack at the clamp and show similar sagging, but a bend without a crack can cause it as well. In my case this was on MTBs where I was doing a lot of rough single track riding, but it can happen in other usage. Either way there is no harm in checking.

scotch

HA! That was taken last May, the day I took the seat off the bike with the intention of figuring out what was going on with it.

scotch

Thanks so much for those photos. I just checked and the frame looks good.

djb

I too could be wrong on the uneveness, but although I have more than one b17, I'd rather not remove one to do a comparison photo for you because once the seat position is ideal, I don't like having to take the time to trial and error it right again putting it back on.

But you should be able to do some careful measurements, and maybe compare them to someone else's b17?
Good luck
Ps, I've very rarely had to tighten the bolts on my Brooks, but I'm lightweight, and ride light in general

Tourist in MSN

I bought a new Brooks about four years ago. Mine was a sprung model (Conquest) and one of the springs was measurably longer than the other. The dealer was happy to replace it when I sent him a photo, but I never mounted that on a bike. Replaced it within a week after I bought it.