Brooks Saddle Questions!

[Ritamarie]

So, it seems people love these saddles with a passion. Do they come in Men's and women's models?

[TrekTheKaty]

I love my brooks. Instant comfort and amazingly "absent" on long rides. Do some research in the equipment forum, but i just researched this again when i ordered my second Brooks. Don't order the women's. The brooks are famous for having short seat rails and the woman's is shorter and wider--making it even more difficult to adjust (and not necessary, by the way). I noticed they changed their website to say "S" for short, instead of women's--although they still have a woman's link.

PS, my DH hangs out on "another" bike forum. Someone posted that they weren't happy with their new Brooks. Another poster dared him to post that on the touring forum! They definitely have their following, but like all saddles, they're not for everyone.

[Biciclista]

If he/she doesn't like their Brooks, they can sell it. I never have spares because other people want them!

[Juliegoddess]

Well, my Brooks is beautiful again. NO squeaks, and the oil spot just disappeared on it's own. I'm delighted!

Now...my next question:

While riding up north in this heat wave we've been having here in the midwest, I stopped off by Lake Huron and just, well...JUMPED IN! I was SO hot. And it felt SO good!

But, I was worried about my Brooks with my wet butt on it for the five miles I still had yet to ride to get back to the cottage. This made me realize and take note of what my Brooks looks like when i'm done riding it any other day. It's usually saturated with a good dose of sweat!

It appears that the saddle dried out fine, with some water-staining, and a little bit of a weird, stiffer, almost dried-out feel to the leather on the part that got really wet. Should I apply some more proofhide on the saddle after it dries out from getting wet? And is all this sweating/drying out on the saddle going to ruin it?

~The Sweat Goddess

[Biciclista]

proofhide probably wouldn't hurt.
I can't imagine you were wet enough to hurt the saddle. my husband destroyed a saddle by riding ALL NIGHT and then all day in the rain. I'll bet you weren't on there quite that long.

[KnottedYet]

But, I was worried about my Brooks with my wet butt on it for the five miles I still had yet to ride to get back to the cottage. This made me realize and take note of what my Brooks looks like when i'm done riding it any other day. It's usually saturated with a good dose of sweat!

Didn't hurt mine doing a tri with a wet post-swim butt, nor training for the tri. Sweat just helps break in the saddle... A little more proofhide, and all is well.