Originally Posted by geog_dash
The English leather and retro design seem to endow Brooks saddles with heirloom status. They're bicycle parts. They carry a lot of constantly moving weight. They get wet occassionally. The cow is dead, it's not going to heal. I've been enjoying my B17 for a year. Three or four more would amount to my money's worth, beyond that will be bonus. Then I'm sure I'll get another of the same. Enjoy the ride.
Well said.
About Sno-Seal: It is not a conditioner, it seals the leather against moisture with beeswax. That's all it does. It does not contain tallow like Proofide or Leather Care Wax-Oil. These
do condition leather to some extent. They also seal because they are mostly beeswax.
This pic shows a B-67 still warm from the oven after 5
very heavy applications of Sno-Seal to the under side, with two light coats on top. The soak-through is coming from the bottom side.
http://i2.tinypic.com/t9bg20.jpg
Same saddle after 600 miles. Your body heat, sweat and motion will bring the wax or wax/oils through. I maintain the slickness with neutral boot wax. Water beads up like a duck's back but I still cover my saddles when they're standing in rain. Also, I use fenders.
http://i2.tinypic.com/t8ahhi.jpg