Fifty Plus (50+) - It's a Brooks in a Box

http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Brooks-002.jpg

And out, too...
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Brooks-003.jpg

Got it on Saturday -too late for my Saturday ride (which was a brute, btw... in a good way)- so I threw it on the bike on Sunday and took it out for its maiden voyage Monday evening. After 12 miles what my first impression? The saddle is hard. Damned hard... and incredibly slippery. The nose was a bit down in front and just kept sliding all over the place. Granted, I haven't Proofrided it or anything... just straight out of the box and on to the bike. I don't want to grease it up until I know I'm not returning it.

But when I got my butt in -what I think is- the right spot, I knew it. You can really feel the ol' sit bones as 2 discreet points of contact. But oddly enough, the saddle just feels -I don't know- right? It is comfortable in a weird sort of way. You are perched on it and the legs swing completely free. There is no wasted energy going into flexing a cushy saddle. You push down on the pedal and the power just goes straight to the road. I feel more efficient. Why, I hardly even noticed the extra weight ;)

I played with the adjustment a little just a bit ago. Obviously it still needs some tweaking - the nose looks too high. Feels OK but I know I should have it a little more level. Stupid Bontrager post seems to have no level, though; it's up at the nose or down. We'll see how that plays out.

Looks pretty darned good on that bike, though.

I have all of my Brooks saddles set slightly nose high. Everything seems to just fall into the right place with the saddle set up that way.

+1 on the Bontrager seat posts. I wish they had a bit finer adjustment.

Enjoy your Brick, er, Brooks.


Edit: If it feels OK, why should you have it a little more level?

It looks great on the bike!

I had the same problem with mine being slippery. Like you I haven't put anything on it but since I don't plan on returning it I probably should do it and see if the slickness goes away. It's on my older Trek and I don't ride it too often.

Brooks just has that "old school" look -- doesn't look quite right with a newer style bike. Sorry for the blasphemy...

The slickness will gradually lessen as you ride and sweat on it. I can't remember noticing the Proofide making that happen sooner or later. That seat does look a little more upward slanted than I put mine when new. At any rate, you'll be able to move it closer to level as the slickness subsides. It does look good on there. Welcome to the cult. ;)

The slickness will gradually lessen as you ride and sweat on it. I can't remember noticing that the Proofide making that happen sooner or later. That seat does look a little more upward slanted than I put mine when new. At any rate, you'll be able to move it closer to level as the slickness subsides. It does look good on there. Welcome to the cult. ;)

Women don't sweat:rolleyes: How will I ever get rid of the slickness:)

Women don't sweat:rolleyes: How will I ever get rid of the slickness:)

Just douse it with your water bottle before the next ride! :rolleyes:

Women don't sweat:rolleyes: How will I ever get rid of the slickness:)

You can "glow" it away. :p

My first impression of my first Brooks was exactly the same - hard and slick. It was immediately more comfortable than the old saddle. That is, it was less uncomfortable than the old, and somewhat uncomfortalbe in a different kind of way. After 150 miles, I never noticed the saddle again.

Actually, I find the slickness to be a desireable trait. I can easily move around on the saddle in response to different riding conditions. Why would you want to get rid of that?

I think the black saddle nicely sets off the blue bike. If you like it after riding it the first time, I predict you are a convert and may soon be preaching the gospel according to bullhide to the unwashed.

I think the black saddle nicely sets off the blue bike. If you like it after riding it the first time, I predict you are a convert and may soon be preaching the gospel according to bullhide to the unwashed.

Well, let's not get carried, now, T-man :lol:
Not hating it and liking it are two different things. Though, there absolutely are things I liked about the Brooks right out of the gate. Others I'll have to wait and see. I'll take it again tomorrow night and see. At this point it has more than earned the opportunity... I'll not be making any snap decisions. Sounds like I'm on the right track, anyway. As for the color... yeah, I couldn't agree more. Honey wouldn't have quite fit the color scheme. COLOR SCHEME???? Oh no, I'm becoming OCP!!!! :eek:

Au contrare! Honey could be gorgeous with that blue frame, IF you matched it with honey-coloured bar tape. It could be quite striking!

Just make sure the puppy doesn't chew on it.

Au contrare! Honey could be gorgeous with that blue frame, IF you matched it with honey-coloured bar tape. It could be quite striking!

A blue bike with a honey brown Brooks? That's just silly. :rolleyes:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/RB-1/th_DSCF2141.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/RB-1/DSCF2141.jpg)

Just douse it with your water bottle before the next ride! :rolleyes:

Good idea. I do carry a spray bottle of water in my bike bag....that will work.

Actually, I find the slickness to be a desireable trait. I can easily move around on the saddle in response to different riding conditions. Why would you want to get rid of that?

I can just see myself sliding over the handle bar or sliding off the back on an emergency stop:eek:

Well, let's not get carried, now, T-man :lol:
Not hating it and liking it are two different things. Though, there absolutely are things I liked about the Brooks right out of the gate. Others I'll have to wait and see. I'll take it again tomorrow night and see. At this point it has more than earned the opportunity... I'll not be making any snap decisions. Sounds like I'm on the right track, anyway. As for the color... yeah, I couldn't agree more. Honey wouldn't have quite fit the color scheme. COLOR SCHEME???? Oh no, I'm becoming OCP!!!! :eek:

Color coordination isn't a sign of OCP:p It's very important in how the bike performs....just ask any woman. My black Brooks looks great on the gray/black Trek.

Glad you're happy with your purchase. Just ignore the fashion police and ride whatever you want to ride. Although, I would have gone with the honey....;) The funny thing is that while you're riding it's pretty hard to care what color your seat is. Once off the bike, however, the visual appeal is a highly personal thing. As I said, I'm gald you're happy with your purchase. Hope you get thousands of comfort miles from it.

A blue bike with a honey brown Brooks? That's just silly. :rolleyes:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/RB-1/th_DSCF2141.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/RB-1/DSCF2141.jpg)

Wellllllll... OK... point taken.
Being more specific, black was the only way to go with the '07 Reno's Blue/White/Black color scheme. For me. And, no Deeg, I don't really want to get into retaping my bars (though, yes, that would look really nice)


If it feels OK, why should you have it a little more level?

That's a good question, wish I had a good answer for it but you're right.
I guess I'm just going by how it looks, which is totally immaterial, really.
More to the point, I guess I won't really know until I give it a good ride. I haven't done much more than a couple of laps in front of the house to check the overall adjustment. I think another 12 miles is in order tonight. I'll report back.


Just make sure the puppy doesn't chew on it.

:eek::eek: Oh, heavens, NO! Then, that might help to break it in a little quicker, no?

Au contrare! Honey could be gorgeous with that blue frame, IF you matched it with honey-coloured bar tape. It could be quite striking!
That's exactly what I would like to do on my black Giant, but the bars on it aren't the type you tape. I still might get the honey saddle tho'. I think Brooks saddles are beautiful and elegant-looking.

The black one looks great on your blue bike.

That's exactly what I would like to do on my black Giant, but the bars on it aren't the type you tape. I still might get the honey saddle tho'. I think Brooks saddles are beautiful and elegant-looking.

The black one looks great on your blue bike.

I couldn't agree more. Timeless, beautiful, and elegant.
And hand made the same way for over 100 years. Can't beat that.
And, what can I say? I'm a sucker for leather and rivets

And, what can I say? I'm a sucker for leather and rivets

A bit on the kinky side....

A bit on the kinky side....

Yeah I was thinking a little TMI... :D

Yeah, yeah,yeah. Men sweat - women glisten. :D

Here's the low-down on the slickness thing:
Leather saddles are finished smooth for a reason. It's not just looks and ease of maintenance. Every time you move on the saddle, the slick surface allows air to get between you and the leather. This aids in the natural wicking action that make these timeless products so popular among those who take the effort to get used to them.

My advice is to do nothing that would reduce the slippery surface. Riding it will polish off finish in just the right places in good time. If you are sliding out of position, that's an adjustment issue. It looks like you have the right idea. The peak should be higher than the seat portion, which should be level with the ground - at least as a starting point.

The waxes, unquents, salves, creams, oils and other concoctions that people use to treat their saddles are all of some use, but none are strictly neccessary. I use SnoSeal on the bottom sides and an occasional clear boot polish on the tops to maintain the slick finish. Others use Proofide. Still others use mink oil or other leather treatments. The fact is, a new Brooks needs nothing, really. For many months and 3000 miles, I never put anything on a B17. I have two other 17's and two 67's that all had SnoSeal for wet weather, but there is no difference in actual ride as a result of having "treated" the leather.

Being an Ex-Marine- there is a tip for softening up leather. You "P" on it. Softens the leather a treat but does attract the flies.

Being an Ex-Marine- there is a tip for softening up leather. You "P" on it. Softens the leather a treat but does attract the flies.

Please, do not take Stapfam seriously. Those Brits do things a bit differently across the pond... :D

Being an Ex-Marine- there is a tip for softening up leather. You "P" on it. Softens the leather a treat but does attract the flies.

Ehhhh yeahhh... think I'll just "ride it in"

So, in looking at the photo of the saddle on my bike,yes, I see that the "seat" part is pretty darned level.
In just lapping around out front last night I noticed that, even with the nose up a bit (or more than a bit, maybe) I didn't notice any discomfort in the -uh- Johnson Zone. I guess I'll find out more tonight. Might have to play with the fore-and-aft a bit more after I just ride normally and find where my butt wants to go.

I did notice that the leather already has a little crease or wrinkle in it. I am on my way :)

I can just see myself sliding over the handle bar or sliding off the back on an emergency stop:eek:


That won't happen with clipless pedals.;)

Please, do not take Stapfam seriously. Those Brits do things a bit differently across the pond... :D

Someone stop George before he...George...GEORGE!!

Ahhhh... another 1/2 hour and I get to go home and try this baby out again
Tick tock tick

edit: OK. I'm back from another 13 mile butt pounding.
You say that it only gets better from here?
Well, then, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship :D
Not quite dialed in yet -the nose could come down a tad (if the Bontrager post will let it)- but I figure after 100 miles on Pacifica roads it'll be right in the pocket.

I've joined the cult as well. :D My honey Champion Flyer came in today. I LOOOVE the smooth classic look! I trust the comments and advice of fellow BFers who ride Brooks. Now I need to get some color matching bar tape. (no...I really do need new bar tape). I'll update after I've been on it for a while.