Touring - Attention Brooks Brothers

What's everybody using to cover their saddle for rain protection? Lately I've been using the courtesy shower caps that you find in hotels - not the most durable but can't beat the price.

Mine's sucked up so much Proofide it repels water quite nicely on it's own. Water off a duck's back...

can you get proofide at a good bike shop or do you have to order it straight from brooks?

af895: Do you think proofhide alone is good for an all day stuck in your tent drenching?

xowl: I got my proofhide at Nashbar

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=10413&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

No LBS of the 30 I called in my city (pop 1million, the national capital) had either Brooks saddles or anything related. I ordered online from a shop in Toronto. I would imagine any shop that carries the saddles would have the Proofide. In short: it's not expensive and it doesn't void your warranty.

My bike comes in the tent with me at night BTW so I can't comment on an overnight drenching. I've left it outside in light showers and sprayed it with a hose though. The Brooks is the last thing I worry about getting wet!

I got me one of them Brooks saddle covers for a couple of bucks off Ebay.

>>My bike comes in the tent with me at night

Is that a perk of riding a folding bike or do you have a huge tent.

My nephew just started college in Ottawa. He's a bit of a triathlete, can you recommend a good local bike shop and pub.

I put one of the pannier's rain cover on the saddle.

>>My bike comes in the tent with me at night

Is that a perk of riding a folding bike or do you have a huge tent.

My nephew just started college in Ottawa. He's a bit of a triathlete, can you recommend a good local bike shop and pub.

Both. ;) It's a Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 3 tent and a bit of a stretch for touring (8lbs packed). But it's like having a home away from home so I put up with it. (that, and it makes a very nice den for two...now I just need to find a #2...)

We have a bunch of good LBS here, each with different specialties from commuter to fixie to triathalon. Happy to provide recommendations. Email is newDAWTspinDAWTcjATgmailDAWTcom. (replace the DAWTs and AT)

Cheers!
Chris

I use a better quality (thicker) shower cap for my Brooks.

Plastic grocery bag. Light, cheap and, if you have enough of them, good for getting rid of the garbage after dinner. (I actually carry several of them for garbage bags, too.)

Plastic bag. Didn't rain often enough in Sydney to justify worrying about a 'proper' cover.

Tin of proofride came with my B17.

I have one of the Velox saddle covers from wallbike. It stretches and fits tightly, and is completely waterproof.

http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/jpgs/veloxseatcover.jpg

The Saran Quick Covers seem to be designed/invented for cyclists. A box of 10 (3 sizes cost $3.50 at most grocery stores. The Large size works great as helmet cover, the Medium size covers my Brooks Champion Special, and the Small size covers my computer quite nicely. The colors aren't real pleasing but the plastic is sufficient in thickness/strength and the elastic is strong/stretchy enough to provide good fit and retention. I never tour/ride without a box of Saran Quick Covers in my trunk bag.

Plastic grocery bag. Light, cheap and, if you have enough of them, good for getting rid of the garbage after dinner. (I actually carry several of them for garbage bags, too.)

Do this one every day at work as it is a bit dusty there.

I use the handle bags too. I ride on them when the day is really wet. And the bike gets one every night, or when it is shipped.

The Saran Quick Covers seem to be designed/invented for cyclists. A box of 10 (3 sizes cost $3.50 at most grocery stores. The Large size works great as helmet cover, the Medium size covers my Brooks Champion Special, and the Small size covers my computer quite nicely. The colors aren't real pleasing but the plastic is sufficient in thickness/strength and the elastic is strong/stretchy enough to provide good fit and retention. I never tour/ride without a box of Saran Quick Covers in my trunk bag.

Great idea! Thanks!

Mine's sucked up so much Proofide it repels water quite nicely on it's own. Water off a duck's back...

Keep it oiled up with Proofhide or similar. The Brooks on my Mondia is 30 years old & is fine condition. It has been wet more times than I can count. Bob

My new, still uninstalled B17 Narrow came with a rain cover. It might be better idea to use a plastic bag instead, just to make it less attractive for those who cannot tell the difference between someone else's stuff and theirs.

I got my Proofide from the shop that sold me the saddle.

--J

- how about using a meat shower cap? (http://www.mcphee.com/items/11243.html)

Plastic bags work really well, though doubling is sometimes necessary. I have also used a MEC helmet cover in a pinch. I second the poster who suggested getting a Brooks cover off of ebay. They look great, and are specifically designed to roll up and hang underneath your saddle, so they are always there.

I use a swim cap sometimes. latex, not lycra!