Brooks Saddle in the Rain

**Blueberry** · 09-09-2008, 07:15 AM

So...I'm doing an MS Ride this weekend, I'm (probably) taking my bike with the brooks saddle, and there's a significant chance of thunderstorms. I have a Brooks saddle cover, but I know it's not waterproof. I do not have fenders on the bike, but there will be a saddle bag to block some spray.

What do those of you who have Brooks saddles do when riding all day in the rain? Plastic grocery bag? Something else? Just don't want to trash the saddle

CA

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 09-09-2008, 07:24 AM

Bring a couple of large plastic bread bags. A Brooks saddle can be permanently ruined by getting soaking wet and riding on it til it sags.

I have one of those special Brooks rain covers- I heard they are not too waterproof (so why bother?) but I did have an extra spray can of water-repellent spray- bought it at an expensive shoe store. It's sort of like ScotchGuard but you can use it on suede etc. I sprayed my brooks cover and also my canvas saddlebag pretty thoroughly, so that should help. Still bring a plastic bread bag with me though just in case, not like it takes up room or weighs anything.

**PscyclePath** · 09-09-2008, 07:45 AM

Being a little old-school, I've got two coats of Proofide on mine, plus I applied Proofide to the underside of the saddle. I carry a plastic cover in the saddlebags or rack trunk to cover it whenever I have to park the bike out in the weather.

Rain sometimes happens, but I wipe the saddle dry as soon as I can get back under cover.

So far, it's worked...

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 09-09-2008, 08:03 AM

I think a year or two ago here, that MimiTabby's husband ruined her Brooks saddle by riding it for many miles in the sopping rain, and it wound up being permanently formed exactly to his butt crack!

As I recall, Brooks was not able to attempt to fix it, so it was basically trashed. I think she posted photos of it that were too funny funny....Mimi, can you repost those here by any chance? It was not to be believed.

**wackyjacky1** · 09-09-2008, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

I think she posted photos of it that were too funny funny....Mimi, can you repost those here by any chance? It was not to be believed.

Oh, yes, I must see photos!!!

**jobob** · 09-09-2008, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

I have one of those special Brooks rain covers- I heard they are not too waterproof (so why bother?)

Actually, they are reasonably waterproof, and infinitely more comfortable than riding on a slippery plastic bag.

I used my Brooks rain cover during the deluges that I encountered on my tour of the Olympic Peninsula & Puget sound and my saddle fared just fine.

Though I do agree that while you are off the bike you should cover the saddle with the plastic bag for extra protection.

**Grits** · 09-09-2008, 08:53 AM

What rain? It isn't going to rain.

**Biciclista** · 09-09-2008, 08:57 AM

Hi, he didn't ruin MY Brooks saddle, he ruined HIS B17 Brooks saddle.
And he rode in heavy rain for many hours. I'm thinking a thunderstorm or two
would be okay, except for the lighting!

Mimi

**uforgot** · 09-09-2008, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Biciclista

Hi, he didn't ruin MY Brooks saddle, he ruined HIS B17 Brooks saddle.
And he rode in heavy rain for many hours. I'm thinking a thunderstorm or two
would be okay, except for the lighting!

Mimi

Mimi? Is that really you under the new user name and avatar? What happened? You know you can tell us. Your secrets are safe with the 200 or so of us!

**VeloVT** · 09-09-2008, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by uforgot

Mimi? Is that really you under the new user name and avatar? What happened? You know you can tell us. Your secrets are safe with the 200 or so of us!

This freaked me out too. I was just starting to get used to BleekerStreetGirl's new name. What gives?

**Blueberry** · 09-09-2008, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Grits

What rain? It isn't going to rain.

The forecast I'm seeing says mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Who knows if it *actually* will, but down there you never know. And I really like my saddle

Thanks for all the suggestions - I think I'll use the saddle cover (probably with water proofer added), and keep bags for stops. I couldn't imagine that would be comfy..... If the forecast gets worse (i.e. it's really, for sure gonna rain), I'll get a rear fender for it too.

CA

**Biciclista** · 09-09-2008, 11:08 AM

That sounds like the kind of "rain" we get here. I ride a Brooks year round, it's in great shape. We're talking the difference between soaking and sprinkling. Your saddle should be fine.

**Blueberry** · 09-09-2008, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Biciclista

That sounds like the kind of "rain" we get here. I ride a Brooks year round, it's in great shape. We're talking the difference between soaking and sprinkling. Your saddle should be fine.

Yep - I wouldn't worry about it in that. We do, on occasion, get "gentle" rain.

What concerns me is *if* we get a good old eastern NC thunderstorm (which is possible). About 3" an hour is not uncommon. Of course, at that point, I'll be looking for any shelter I can find (for me and my bike

). Last year, it was a tropical storm (but I had a Terry saddle on the other bike I brought with me).

CA

**Zen** · 09-09-2008, 01:46 PM

A shower cap would be good for when you're off the bike.

**Veronica** · 09-09-2008, 05:13 PM

Your saddle will most likely be fine.

I rode in pouring rain for last year's Knoxville Double - a good 8 hours of RAIN. And I rode the bike for 8 or 9 hours after the rain stopped. I did not have fenders on my bike or a saddle cover and I haven't put proof hide on my saddle in ages. It's just fine.

Veronica

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