Tuckervill
11-26-2007, 11:34 AM
Got my saddle from ebay in the mail today!! :)
Since I bought it used and I haven't actually seen a Brooks up close and personal before, I have some questions.
It feels like plastic. It has no dents or wear, it seems, like it was never broken in. The springs and hardware underneath are chromed, but there is a lot of pitting, but hardly any rust. (I can see a little rusty residue on the inside of the leather closest to the springs, so think the springs were rusty at one point.) There's black gunk on the springs, too, not entirely unfamiliar--could be some oxidation of some kind. The ad said it was "vintage" but of course, it's impossible to tell how old it is. I'd say it's not an old, old saddle or well used--probably less than 10 years old, maybe less than 5.
I feel like it was at least oiled once or twice, because it was wrapped in brown kraft paper and the paper had oily spots matching the contact points on each side of the back back of the saddle.
I'm so happy that it appears to be the same width as the Terry saddle that I love on my road bike.
What should I do with it first? I'm going to clean the springs up really well before I put it on the bike and try it out.
Karen
Since I bought it used and I haven't actually seen a Brooks up close and personal before, I have some questions.
It feels like plastic. It has no dents or wear, it seems, like it was never broken in. The springs and hardware underneath are chromed, but there is a lot of pitting, but hardly any rust. (I can see a little rusty residue on the inside of the leather closest to the springs, so think the springs were rusty at one point.) There's black gunk on the springs, too, not entirely unfamiliar--could be some oxidation of some kind. The ad said it was "vintage" but of course, it's impossible to tell how old it is. I'd say it's not an old, old saddle or well used--probably less than 10 years old, maybe less than 5.
I feel like it was at least oiled once or twice, because it was wrapped in brown kraft paper and the paper had oily spots matching the contact points on each side of the back back of the saddle.
I'm so happy that it appears to be the same width as the Terry saddle that I love on my road bike.
What should I do with it first? I'm going to clean the springs up really well before I put it on the bike and try it out.
Karen