Bicycle Mechanics - Brooks b17 tension

I fooled around heavily with my tension nut. The saddle out of the box seemed a little bit too soft considering how hard they are supposed to be. My saddle squeaked, after adjusting the bolt it stopped. I did however heavily back off and then back on tension to the leather. The squeak is gone. I am guessing the saddle is probably fine. Sheldon Brown advises not to toy with the nut. I am a constant tinker. I hope I didn't do any damage. As long as I get 3 years on the saddle I will be happy.

I'm a constant tinkerer too but I've never touched the tension nut on any of my Brooks saddles. :)

You shouldn't have to "toy" with the nut but maybe once every 5 years and then don't turn it more then 1/4th of a turn. The "softness you felt was probably due to it breaking in. What did you use for presoftening and/or protecting the leather? Oil will make the leather too soft and lose it's hammock effect quicker.

...first time I've ever heard of someone thinking their Brooks was too soft out of the box. If you only expect to keep it three years instead of thirty, go ahead, wrench it up. B17's are cheap (as in inexpensive).

I've had my b17 for 3 years. FIrst ride 20miles, took it off. Tried again year two. 3 rides, still hated it, took it off. Third year I thought I'd give it one more shot. I pitched up the nose 1 notch on my seatpost,that help, then, I decided to tighten the nut a bit. It,s not to easy if you don,t have "the wrench". But with perseverence I was able to turn it about 1 1/2 turns. I now have an enjoyable saddle that I have used 4 times the last 2 were 30 mile rides. The first 5 miles or so it seems a bit hard but after that it becomes my most comfortable saddle. I'm very happy I fiddled with the nut. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Joe

I fooled around heavily with my tension nut. The saddle out of the box seemed a little bit too soft considering how hard they are supposed to be. My saddle squeaked, after adjusting the bolt it stopped. I did however heavily back off and then back on tension to the leather. The squeak is gone. I am guessing the saddle is probably fine. Sheldon Brown advises not to toy with the nut. I am a constant tinker. I hope I didn't do any damage. As long as I get 3 years on the saddle I will be happy.

I'd be careful about cranking too much. I bough a used brooks that was a bit loose, so I tightened it up, but the leather was so old it quickly split at the nose of the saddle. Better a little loose than tight.