Jinkster

downhillmaster...a quick review of your recent postings exhibits a steady pattern of some rather negative commentary and responses towards others...I hope and pray whatever is troubling you gets resolved and that you have a better day.

downhillmaster

Does this mean that I am not getting invited to the wedding between you and your well oiled saddle?
I am glad that you and that other poster worked that oil thing out btw. You were pretty negative towards his point of view there for a bit

Jinkster

That is true which is why I apologized.

Bluesfrog

Downhillmaster. Really? Maybe you didn't listen when you were told if you can't say something good just don't say anything? Or maybe you are just a Troll. Be Well, Bluesfrog.

momoman

I now have slightly over 200 miles on my B17 Imperial. I've only used proofhide when the saddle was new and applied 2 coats. I'll probably re-apply every 6 months. At most I'll be putting in 25-30 miles/ride on my Trek 760 with the Brooks. Usually at the 20-25 mile point of my rides I want to stand up and pedal a few strokes to give my butt a rest. With the Brooks B17 I don't feel the soreness at the 20-25 mark. I would say the saddle still causes some discomfort but no pain. I had a few racing type saddles that were painful on longer rides. I'm guessing it'll take another 200-300 miles to get my saddle to the point where it will be discomfort-free, and it may be my saddle of choice if I decide to do a century or an eroica event.

jleeg

I don't recall my Brooks causing me any pain, but that may be due to the fact that I've had it 40 years and can't remember! I know, however, that i really like (and almost treasure) it.
Best. j

fietsbob

have a team pro bought in 1977,. . they only came in black-brown then..

after a decade they are part of you and you , they..

Surubi

Still riding my Ideale 88 from the 1990's. Perfect fit to my anatomy.

Captain Paul

Just awaiting delivery on a World Voyageur. Think I might switch my Brooks Imperial from my carbon road bike to the Schwinn and replace it with a carbon framed C13 Carved. Anybody tried one?

camjr

I've only put about 125 miles on mine, but it's already very comfortable. My 225 pounds is apparently speeding the break-in process along.




Cheers!

Captain Paul

Yeah, my Imperial is awesome. Anyone know anything about the carbon C13?

cfbiker

My 30+ year old B17 was very comfortable until a few weeks back when one of the rails snapped while I was out on the trail! I'm only 5' 10", 175!

Although the saddle was awesome the leather is cracking and additional proofide isn't helping so I ordered a new one... (Actually I placed 3 different orders, but I have no confidence that the Amazon partner nor web bike shop will be able to deliver!). Even BrooksEngland claims many of the seats models are 'out of stock'. My B17 Special shipped today from from eBay!

I did try the Brooks Cambian C17 but it was just too hard, just like the saddle that came on my Fuji. Ugh! Even the Concor S Marco on my Gios isn't 'touring' comfortable.

I should have stopped looking after I placed the order because I then came across the Rivet Loveland... looks like a viable alternative!

Since I'm a new member I can't post the pictures of the leather condition. Maybe I'll consider fixing it myself in the future if I can order the parts. I'd like to upgrade to black rails and copper rivets but I don't think its worth paying someone $90+ to repair it for me.

rhm

I have used Brooks frames, rivets, etc. Let me know if I can help.

rhm

I know this is an old post, but I only just saw it.

First of all, regarding the idea of "irreversible damage" bear in mind that (1) pretty much ANYthing you do to leather is irreversible, and (2) what's "damage" is a matter of opinion.

What effect Proofide will have on leather depends a great deal on the condition of the leather before you start. I had a couple Brooks saddles I bought new 10-15 years ago, that I believe I ruined with too much Proofide. And it wasn't even very much Proofide. It could be the Proofide did thi damage, or it could be these were just dud saddles, the leather not treated properly at the factory... I don't know. But I connected the failure of the leather to the Proofide. Did the leather really fail? No, but it sure got too soft for my taste. I also have some older Brooks saddles that are hard as plywood, and Proofide has done nothing to them at all.

My advice, re any saddle, is figure out how to make it comfortable by adjusting the position of the saddle and the rider. Once it's properly set up, the rest will follow. There are ways to soften the leather, and there are ways to make it harder, and all of them will 'damage' the leather in some way.

Road Fan

Sounds like you've done a good job on that Toupe! I would say, don't circular it until you are convinced about the Brooks.

Mmassey338

Best advice I’ve seen on Brooks saddles:

Brooks Pro

I followed it on my second Brooks and it works.

Cliff notes version: no proofhide, no oil, seal the underside, shoe polish the top

Road Fan

That's pretty unique, first time I've seen it, I think.

Mmassey338

Yes, but I think it makes sense. Why add oil which breaks down the leather? Adding the damp rag to temporarily soften the saddle so it molds faster is also a great idea.
My newer saddle is about 18 months old, with 6,000+ miles on it and it looks brand new except for the dents for my sit bones. I also like that the polish keeps it slick.
YMMV

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.

Mmassey338

It does not say to soak it.
“The cloth should be damp but not so soaking wet that it drenches your bike. Then, just before you ride, take your thumbs and knead the area where your ischial bones will hit in order to start softening the leather. Ride an hour or two, with the washcloth OFF. ”
The saddle will get oils from your body, and like a nice pair of shoes, you just polish it

dmanthree

If those other choices work for you, great! But trust me, they don't work for me. And no, they don't take 500 miles to break in. I find them comfortable at mile 0.

probe1957

It would seem like you are the exception rather than the rule then.

Rage

I also find them comfortable without any break-in.
They get more comfy as time goes by but I have never had an issue with them out of the box.
But not everyone is built the same way so...

dmanthree

Honestly, I doubt it. I've read quite a few posts and spoken to lots of riders who find them comfortable from day one. I realize this is a *highly* personal decision so there's likely to be a ton of riders who might refer to them as "ass hatchets."

:-)

257 roberts

I have a B17 and it's my 3rd Brooks saddle, all have been good from the beginning
never an issue