Brooks Saddles

[mimitabby]

Has anyone done this: immerse the saddle in oil over night in order to soften the leather? The guy who manages the LBS is kind of a character, so I take what he says with a grain of salt. But he said to use a product called "neatsfoot", which you get at stores that sell the other type of saddle, the one that goes on a horse...

I'm inclined to just get the proofhide and be done with it.

a slight coat of proofhide might not hurt, but remember, you don't want this to be soft like a glove. My 30 year old brooks is not soft like that.

[dachshund]

KnottedYet & mimitabby - Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I'm thinking "I need to buy WHAT and do WHAT??" He's also big on the Specialized Jet saddle, with the cutout in the middle. "They've done scientific studies on how it relieves pressure on the nerves... blah blah". I'm thinking "science is great, but everyone's different, dude."

Too bad it's so hot out, it'll be a few days before I can ride again and try out the saddle.

[mimitabby]

KnottedYet & mimitabby - Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I'm thinking "I need to buy WHAT and do WHAT??" He's also big on the Specialized Jet saddle, with the cutout in the middle. "They've done scientific studies on how it relieves pressure on the nerves... blah blah". I'm thinking "science is great, but everyone's different, dude."

Too bad it's so hot out, it'll be a few days before I can ride again and try out the saddle.

don't forget the scientific study that is in that article referenced in this forum!


http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6246

[dachshund]

Yes! I did read that, which led to the Brooks saddles, and here....
Thanks.

[dachshund]

Well I'm back. I got up early and got my butt out the door on a ride, to beat the heat. While I'm still working on tweaking the position, boy, I'm finally sitting on my sit-bones on this saddle! I did a 12 mile ride. I would normally start feeling some irritation in the soft bits after a few miles. Not today! What a difference.

It's still kind of slippery, so I'll try the proofhide. Now I have to go read up on the correct position - I think I have the tilt correct, but I'm not sure about the front-to-back position where the rails attach to the seat clamp. I tried to match the other one, but along with the slipping, it probably needs tweeking.

I'm grateful to everyone's contributions to this post. There's a lot of good information here!

[stella]

dachshund,

re: the slipperiness of the saddle: I don't know if anyone else experienced this, but, even with the proofhide--my saddle was slippery for about the first 100 miles. Now, it's perfect!

when you get pics--post 'em!

[Bikingmomof3]

My Books B 17S literally just arrived. as soon as I get the boys off to their various events, I plan to brave the heat and take my saddle for a test run.

[Kitsune06]

I wonder if it would be feasible to take a very, very fine steel wool (the type used by jewelers) to scuff the surface? This is just a guess, because the only leatherworking I've done has been with boots, but after oiling, the 'blackness' would still be there, it'd just be a hair rougher. Any thoughts?

I'm gonna propose to my DPITA that I get the Brooks as a gift to myself after managing the LIVESTRONG ride Sunday. My parts will be begging for any kind of relief, anyway

[Bikingmomof3]

Kitsune,
I have no idea how that would work, I know very little about leather. All I can tell you is my new saddle is very, very slippery. I found myself "clenching" a lot to compesate for the slipperiness of the saddle.

Keep us posted on your race!

[Kitsune06]

I'm still sort of concerned about being able to get back on this saddle for descents. It's quite wide... but do I really have to make the choice between sitbone comfort and being able to make descents? I guess I'll talk to Bill unless you ladies have any input...

[KnottedYet]

After I used proofhide about 3 or 4 times and rode about 50-80 miles, the slipperiness really improved.

I've got about 150 miles on it now, and no slip problems at all. (and it's starting to form to my butt, so comfy!)

[dachshund]

Here she is.

[Bikingmomof3]

she is gorgeous! What sort of saddlepack are you using?

[stella]

beautiful bike! The saddle looks great on it, too!
Way to go dachshund!

[KnottedYet]

Oh, beauuuuuutiful!