Hi Annette, and fellow OBC'ers, Glad to help.
I've been told in no uncertain terms that to use oil on a Brooks saddle will surely ruin it. The other consideration is to re-apply a coating of Proofhide to the under side of your saddle after riding in the rain, after it's had a chance to dry out first. The water off your rear wheel might wash away the coating of Proofhide. Using fenders is one way to limit this, or, your could always stuff a plastic bag up under the seat, between the seat rails, thereby acting as a barrier. Haven't tried this option myself, but it occurred to me awhile ago and seems like a worthwhile consideration. Also an alternative to stressing the leather by rolling it with a bat or similar device, I've had great success letting the saddle sit under a good strong sun, after a liberal application of Proofhide. This way, the sun heats up the leather, and seems to draw the Proofhide into the leather. In turn, this greatly eases the breaking-in process, allowing you start off riding a new saddle as if you've already got 1,500 kms on it - the distance often quoted as required before the saddle's "comfortable" and broken in. The Brooks web site is pretty helpful, and is at: http://217.72.163.226/~brook5076/html/ As Bob Simpson mentioned, Proofhide can stain your shorts. For this reason I use very little on the top side, and when I do, I rub the living heck out of it to limit the surface residue. This way I've been pretty luck, and not stained my other-than-cycling shorts. Bill At 11:16 AM -0400 5/9/2002, Annette Bradfield wrote: >Bill: > >Thanks for the info - from the replies I have had, Proofride seems >to be the product of >choice, although a few people are convinced that oil is the best option. > >Also, helpful tip about white shorts after labour day, I'll remember that. > >Annette > > > > >On Sep 4 , Bill Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> Hi Annette, >> >> Brooks saddles are indeed divine. I've been riding on them for a >> good eight years, and have them on both my bikes. If I had more >> bikes, I wouldn't consider putting any other saddle on them. >> >> You really shouldn't put anything other than 'Proofhide' on it, as >> any oil products will cause sagging. Essentially, Proofhide is good >> old dubin, but is wax based; not oil based. >> >> I tend to put a good coating on the underside of the saddle, with any >> excess on my fingertips being rubbed into the top side. On the >> underside, I leave the excess to simply be absorbed over time. >> >> As for the topside of the saddle, Proofhide can stain any shorts or >> pants you might ware to ride in, though. So don't where your best >> whites. ... then again, it IS past Labour Day ... >> >> Cheers, >> >> Bill Taylor >> >> At 9:52 AM -0400 4/9/2002, Annette Bradfield wrote: >> >Does anyone have any advice regarding how to care for a Brooks >> >leather saddle? I have had >> >it for a few years and despite not having put anything on it, it's >> >pretty comfortable. >> > >> >There seem to be lots of different opinions. Sheldon Brown >> >(<a >href='http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html'>http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html</ >a>) recommends doing >> >something to keep it from >> >drying out (ie: Neatsfoot oil), but some people have told me that >> >oiling it may make it > > >too 'saggy'. Has this happened to anyone? Any saddle-horror-stories? > > > > > >Annette Bradfield > > > ------------------------------------------------- For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------- ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
