Need Help with my Brooks Saddle!

[KnottedYet]

Make sure you oil the half-ball and socket in the nose shackle. And do all the contact points in the nose mechanism while you're at it.

I thought for the longest time that my springs were making noise (because that's where it seemed the sound was coming from.) A call to Bill at Walllingford Bicycle Parts, and he told me about the secret half-ball and socket. I had no idea that's what was inside the nose shackle. (Just in front of the adjustment nut)

Oiled that up with Boeshield and the noise was gone.

[blackhillsbiker]

I thought for the longest time that my springs were making noise (because that's where it seemed the sound was coming from.) A call to Bill at Walllingford Bicycle Parts, and he told me about the secret half-ball and socket. I had no idea that's what was inside the nose shackle. (Just in front of the adjustment nut)

Oiled that up with Boeshield and the noise was gone.

I did the same thing. Oiled the heck out of the springs, then tracked down the squeaking to the nose bolt. I oiled that and the squeak never returned.

Deb

[Bill Laine]

Hi Everyone

Brooks saddles usually get noisy because the leather has stretched and the tension mechanism has become too loose.

Oiling the saddle with a little spray oil is good for calming the sounds but you still need to adjust the tension. Brooks sends the wrench with new saddles for a reason.

If you are facing the saddle you want to turn the nut clockwise. If you can see the pin and nut you want more threads in front of the nut to tighten the saddle. Since the tension pin isn't anchored it can spin if the tension is too loose. Sometimes holding the end of the pin with your finger will hold it enough. Sometimes you need to use pliers on the unthreaded part of the pin to hold it. Once you get a little tension between the nosepiece and the tension shackle the pin should stop turning.

Just turn the nut a little and ride the saddle to see how it works. If the tension is right you should be able to push the seat down almost a quarter inch with your thumb. If you have pulled it too tight you will see the hard ridge of the nose extend back into the seat. If you think you have the tension right but it still squeaks then it's time for a little squirt. Oil without tensioning is masking the problem but it isn't solving it. Most broken tension pins are a result of the tension being too loose.

I know that a noisy Brooks can be annoying, and dealing with the noise can be frustrating. I hope this helps.

Regards

Bill Laine
Wallingford Bicycle Parts
New Orleans