Classic & Vintage - Brooks Team Pro Help

Ok,

so I did something some might call dumb, I bought a used Brooks Team Pro. Guy said it had seen 200 miles and I believed him, so I agreed tentatively on an $85 price. I saw it and sucked it up and paid it, but I'm starting to have buyer's remorse. Mostly because it looks like it's seen more than 200 miles.

Actually, I should say only one side of it looks that way. Unless this guy had his right ischial removed or something my running theory is that he leaned the saddle against a pipe, railing or otherwise for storage and it's been that way for some time. Didn't seem to ever have been proofided.

To be honest it rides nice, I just did 20 miles on it to check it out and it feels pretty good. I like the shape overall better than the B.17, especially with any saddle-to-bar drop. But I feel like I'm missing out on what's so important, the formative stages.

Does anyone here know of a way to get the Team Pro back to it's original, un-tainted form? I did tighten the frame a bit, maybe a half a turn total, and then Proofided it. I'm hoping it will adopt my shape with some good, ole ass sweat. I'm afeared I'm dreamin', and I should have spent $40 and had me a new one.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Pics?

Ok,

so I did something some might call dumb, I bought a used Brooks Team Pro. Guy said it had seen 200 miles and I believed him, so I agreed tentatively on an $85 price. I saw it and sucked it up and paid it, but I'm starting to have buyer's remorse. Mostly because it looks like it's seen more than 200 miles.

Actually, I should say only one side of it looks that way. Unless this guy had his right ischial removed or something my running theory is that he leaned the saddle against a pipe, railing or otherwise for storage and it's been that way for some time. Didn't seem to ever have been proofided.

To be honest it rides nice, I just did 20 miles on it to check it out and it feels pretty good. I like the shape overall better than the B.17, especially with any saddle-to-bar drop. But I feel like I'm missing out on what's so important, the formative stages.

Does anyone here know of a way to get the Team Pro back to it's original, un-tainted form? I did tighten the frame a bit, maybe a half a turn total, and then Proofided it. I'm hoping it will adopt my shape with some good, ole ass sweat. I'm afeared I'm dreamin', and I should have spent $40 and had me a new one.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

I think all you can do at this point (other than what you've already performed) is ride it and hope after a couple hundred miles it straightens up. If it rides comfortably then whatever bend in it is a cosmetic issue. :(

If it were me, I wouldn't have bought it without an inspection period to actually look it over. Secondly if you got it by auction then I would have bailed out on the bidding when it touched $50 for when you factor in shipping you're talking a price not much under a brand new saddle. In fact, I scored a brand new Brooks Flyer from my LBBS (Large Box Bicycle Store /I.E. Sun & Ski Sports) for right around $85 about a week ago.

In an auction situation I would withhold bidding on a saddle unless the pictures are clear and the person auctioning it is extremely meticulous in their description dictating every bump, hump, scratch and hide imperfection.

Sirrus, no need to kick me while I'm down :(

I know I didn't purchase well. FWIW, the cheapest Team Pro I've found is $119 from LickBike. Wallbike is $150 even. So, I saved $35 over a new one....

Not saying it's justified, but...if it had been new I would say so.

It's ok comfy, I only did 20 miles. It didn't feel broken in, but misshapen...so I'm going to ride it until it feels broken in and if it isn't broken in to my rear then I guess it's toast.

Has anyone ever laced a Team Pro? I've seen and own a laced B.17. but I don't see why I couldn't do my team pro...

One thing you can do (since it's already deformed) is wet the saddle and
try to form it back into the original shape (or something close to that), let it
dry (slowly) and then start the break in period.
FWIW I've bought some old Brooks and Brooks like saddles I find they do
tend to form to whoever is riding them, i.e. it's going to form to your
butt given time, miles and butt sweat.

Marty

Yep, wetting the leather and reblocking it is the only way to restore the shape. I've done this in minor ways on B.17's in the past (especially after I left some big divots in it after a ride in the rain), as well as a Swift that I bought used.

The Pro tends to be stiffer, and I haven't had one lose shape at all. It seems hard to believe that one would need to lace a Pro in the same way that a B.17 often needs. This might be a way to try reblocking the saddle... moisten it, and wrap up the skirts to force them together. It will retain this shape (somewhat) when it dries.

Steve K.

Wow, thanks guys....so, wet it and re-block. How wet are we talking about? Like dip it in a bucket wet or spritz it with a bottle wet?

Ok, tell me if what I did was good or not.

I put my Team Pro in a bucket of water for, maybe 15 minutes. It was thoroughly soaked, and the shape came back like magic, like it had never been ridden.

Suddenly I realized the previous owner probably left it in the rain, then maybe rode it or put something on it to deform it and it dried like that. The leather is in great shape, looks like 200 miles is accurate (compared to my 2K mile B.17 or my 1K mile B.17 Imperial).

My plan is to let it completely dry, apply Proofide and then hit the bolt with a turn if it feels like it needs it or if not then just ride it until it does.

Am I on the right track?

If so I feel like I've found the fountain of youth for many Brooks issues. Obviously there are more elaborate break-ins that can't be un-did by simply soaking them, but this one seems to be working.

Sounds like you might have given it life. Do you have before and after pics? I'm kind of interested in seeing the difference. :)

Good luck, and please keep all of us Brooks fans posted. It's a fabulous saddle, if you can get it straightened out.

Sounds like you might have given it life. Do you have before and after pics? I'm kind of interested in seeing the difference. :)


Unfortunately no...I'm kind of a putz with the camera. Never have one on me, never know where it is, and miss most of the great picture opportunities of my life.

I got the 15 month old to sleep and took the opportunity before the thought struck of taking a picture.

I'll definitely let y'all know how it works out, though. Thing is still pretty soaked a few hours later, so we'll see in the a.m. when I awake if Santa brought me a gift or not!

climbhoser,

Be careful with tighting the front nose nut. Just my guess, but a drying Brooks will shrink, so it shouldn't need any adjustment. Wait until you have Proofide it and riden it a couple of nice hot rides this summer, then a 1/4 turn only. Best of luck and happy riding. I've never met a Professional I didn't like!
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/Super%20Sports/BrooksHoney.jpg

It was dry this morning and held it's shape. I Proofided it and left it to soak in. No tensioning yet. Ill give it the 30 miles test tomorrow morning and let y'all know how it holds up!