General Cycling Discussion - New brooks, just got it wet

I have had an old Brooks saddle for a while but never used it. I put it on my fixed gear about two weeks ago and have riden it about four times and am slowly breaking it in.

So far it is uncomfortable but not untolerable.

When I know it is going to rain and I still want to ride I take my fixed gear because it is lower maintence and handles better. I went for about 25 miles yesterday and it rained for about half of the ride. I did not even think about getting the new saddle wet until I was well into the ride.

The question is, is it ok to ride these in the rain. The brooks website says to let it fully dry, then apply proofide. The website does not say much else about riding these in the rain.


Also, do you think it is ok to have a brooks saddle on a rain bike.

As long as you keep up the Proofide treatments, and always let it dry and then apply Proofide if it gets very wet, it will be fine. A new Brooks should be Proofided and polished frequently (every other ride, say) during the break-in period.

On a rain bike, you'd want to have a plastic bag to cover the saddle if you have to actually leave it outside.

A little dampness is no big deal. We all sweat.

RichC

Where can I get proofide. Do I have to mail order, or is it pretty common stuff that would be carried in a store?

Any place that sells Brooks saddles. No place that doesn't. It's a Brooks product, made specifically for their saddles.

RichC

Dont use anything else. There may be some valid leather wax alternatives, but I dont know of any yet. People try plenty of other concoctions, but most of these do more harm than good.
I ride my Brooks in the rain with no cover, but my bike has fenders, and I keep a stash of plastic bags between the saddle rails. I put one over the saddle when I park it, and during the ride te bags protect the underside from splashes.
Dont forget to proof the underside of the saddle.

Your rock-hard new Brooks will be fine.........

Normally if your rain bike has fenders- as it should- your ass will do the rest in terms of saddle protection:) The plastic bag thing is a good preventative but I don't recommend it as an alternative to fenders, more a supplement.

I also recommend Proofide (but I use neatsfoot oil- it's a bit quicker but possibly wears out the saddle faster- like in 20 years instead of 25! LOL)