General Cycling Discussion - Does the black colour on a Brooks come off?

Hi,

I've just ordered a honey Brooks B17 for my commuter bike, but the shop doesn't have any left and will only get black ones.

Since I won't be riding the saddle with bike shorts I'm wondering if the saddle will turn my pants black?

Jesper

I'm pretty sure that the dye on a brooks won't come
off (at least mine hasn't and I've got some light blue
shorts).
Some Proofide may also do well to seal the dye.
For a definitive answer check out
Wallingford bikes (http://www.wallbike.com)
FWIW (and its alot) Sheldon Brown states the following
in his article on leather saddles

Most leather saddles are dyed black. Oiling the saddle will partially dissolve the dye, which will stain on your clothes. This is why cycling shorts are black. Wear light colors at your own risk! If you must wear day-glo pink shorts, put a seatcover on the saddle.

Marty

Hi Marty,

have you tried riding the saddle when it was a little wet from rain or something?

Jesper

Ive ridden mine while it was wet, and didn't notice
anything (may have been riding with black bibs tho).
I don't think the proofide breaks down the dye as much
as say, neatsfoot oil, that may be why I never had
staining issues.
If you're gonna be in wet environment alot I'd suggest
a cover for the saddle, I believe that Harris Cycles has them
(if not wallingford does).
Also make sure you Proofide the underside (and don't wipe
if off) to protect from water there.

Marty

As a matter of fact it does come off!!!!

But it takes about 15,000 to 20,000 miles before it starts showing:rolleyes:

I know its kind of late but I received the following
from Bill Laine from Wallingford Bikes when asked
about dye:


I think that the dye bleeding out of a saddle has a lot to do with how the saddle is treated.
If someone uses an oily leather treatment product like Neatsfoot
or Lexol the color is more likely to bleed out.
If someone puts on a _lot_ of Proofide with the expectation that
the saddle will get softer quicker then the color is more likely to bleed.

If you are conservative with your use of a wax-based leather
treatment, like Proofide, then color bleeding should be minimal.
Brooks says when you get a new saddle put on a heavy coat of
Proofide and wear your old shorts for the first few rides. After
that just use a little Proofide and the color should stay in the
saddle. (Normal Proofide use is a couple of fingernail scoops).

Marty

Thank you for the replies.

I asked the same question of the shop where I ordered the saddle. They obviously didn't think it a problem since I received a black B.17 shortly after.

Jesper