I think that the leather used in Brooks saddles has definitely changed over the years, with an emphasis on having a saddle that softens up rather quickly. The first Brooks saddle that I owned, which came as standard equipment on a 1977 Schwinn Deluxe Touring Paramount model (I still have this bicycle), was a Brooks Professional. This was the old small rivet model, before they began making the cooler looking big rivet types. It took forever to break in the saddle, at least 2000 miles.
At that time, some Brooks saddle users resorted to extreme measures to obtain a softer saddle. One in particular that I recall, from an article that appeared in Bicycling magazine, involved the removal of the leather from the frame. The article detailed pounding the leather to soften it and soaking in neat's foot oil. Then reattaching the saddle with larger rivets. Whew.... I believe that Grant Peterson has commented that the leather used in some of the newer versions of the Brooks saddles is not as thick as those previously used. Jim Cloud On Feb 18, 9:54 am, charlie <[email protected]> wrote: > We have six Brooks saddles in our fleet and some are thinner leather > than others. Different cows I suppose!!!!!! > My Champion Flyer broke in within 50 miles, my first B17 took around > 500 miles and the one on my single speed has well over 1000 miles and > is still hard as a rock but oddly its the most comfortable of all. I > only used one application of Proofhide as recommended and use a cover > in the rain or when its really hot to reduce sweat damage. I weigh 255 > pounds so I have to be careful with my saddles. A light rider may > never put much of a dent in one of the thicker specimens. > Some people use odd break in procedures.......I've even heard of warm > motor oil being used. Definitely not what I would recommend. Think of > your Brooks saddle like a good pair of work boots, its just thick > leather and needs to be cared for properly. > > On Feb 17, 7:56 pm, chris love <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > I just bought a used Brooks B17 and I'm curious how it should feel > > before I raise a stink. Seller claimed only 250 miles on the saddle, > > so I assumed it would be super tight, yet it feels to me like its > > saggy. When I press in the area of the saddle just behind where the > > soft parts land, i.e. the widest part of the saddle, should it give? > > This one gives so much that the side flaps flare out a fair bit.- Hide > > quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
