Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Proofide for Brooks saddle

I just ordered a Brooks saddle. I have read about putting proofide on it when you get it. My question- is this stuff included with the saddle or will I have to buy it separately? I don't think my LBS carries it either.

Thanks.

It does not come with it. You will need to order separately. Good luck.

Just order it on-line and ride the saddle in the meantime.

Just use Sno-Seal, it's way cheaper, pretty much the same stuff, and you'll be able to find it at most outdoors/shoe stores.

My sister picked up a Brooks B17 saddle a week ago. I got some baseball glove oil/conditioner and we soaked the saddle for 30 minutes and put it on. It was noticeably softened up. Drastic, but nothing too damaging.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html

My sister picked up a Brooks B17 saddle a week ago. I got some baseball glove oil/conditioner and we soaked the saddle for 30 minutes and put it on. It was noticeably softened up. Drastic, but nothing too damaging.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html

This is a horrible idea. You'll ruin the saddle this way.

I've used both Sno*Seal and Proofide on my many Brooks saddles. Whatever you use just don't use a lot of it as you'll over-condition and soften the leather.

I have used Neatsfoot leather conditioner for both Brooks saddles that I own without any problem.

I have used Neatsfoot leather conditioner for both Brooks saddles that I own without any problem.

Why would you want to soften the leather? It's supposed to be rather hard.

Why would you want to soften the leather? It's supposed to be rather hard.

+1

We ain't sitting on a baseball glove.

i used saddle soap. recommended to me by the crusty old track guy at the LBS. worked a treat. waterproofed it pretty well and gave the leather just enough give for to get a nice arse groove going. that being said, mine is an early 70's team pro that is considerably harder than a b17 or other new brooks gear.

Why would you want to soften the leather? It's supposed to be rather hard.

+1

Theses saddles only need conditioning to repel moisture.
If you want soft saddles get a gel saddle.

just got some proofide yesterday, it was fun to shine it up
i heard about using sno-seal but i does it really have the same ingredients that proofide has?

mine was comfy from day one without any sort of treatment besides just riding it

just got some proofide yesterday, it was fun to shine it up
i heard about using sno-seal but i does it really have the same ingredients that proofide has?

mine was comfy from day one without any sort of treatment besides just riding it

I highly doubt Sno*Seal has the same ingredients as Proofide. FWIW, I started using Sno*Seal on my Brooks saddles in the early 1990s when Brooks saddles and of course Proofide were difficult to get as Brooks wasn't doing so well at the time. I've seen no negative results with Sno*Seal.

Obenauf's LP (check at your local tack & stable, if there is one near you) or Sno-Seal are both hella cheaper than Proofide and won't wreck the leather like oils and silicone treatments will.

**** brooks.
Too much hassle, and if you have to actually ride your bike and get it wet....

It's also **** ton heavy compared to other more comfortable saddles.

"There are probably lots of other liquid oils that would work as well-RAAM pioneer Lon Haldeman uses SAE 30 motor oil, but his saddles tend to wear out after only 300,000 miles or so (according to Cyclist Magazine). Paste or wax type leather dressings, such as Brooks Proofide, Sno-Seal, and saddle soap will work, but it takes much, much longer to break in a saddle that way."

"You can just pour the oil on and rub it in by hand, or for a more drastic approach, you can actually soak the saddle. The easiest way to soak a saddle is to turn it upside-down on a sheet of aluminum foil, then form the foil up around the saddle for a snug fit. Pour in a whole 4 ounce can of Neatsfoot oil or whatever oil you prefer, and let the saddle soak for 30 minutes to an hour. "

"The soaking technique is best for thick, hard-to-break in saddles such as the Brooks Professional. For most leather saddles the pour-and-rub technique is adequate. A saddle only needs baptism by immersion once. After that, some oil should be poured onto the saddle and rubbed in by hand every few weeks. Once the saddle has become soft and comfortable it is only necessary to oil it lightly every few months to keep it from drying out. "

"Note; treatment and break-in of leather saddles is not an exact science, and there are those that claim that some of the products I've listed are harmful to leather. If absolute safety is your primary concern, using Brooks Proofide according to directions is probably the best approach...but you may find that the break-in period is un-necessarily long with this approach.

The worst thing you can do is to neglect the saddle and allow it to dry out and crack."

I use Obenaufs

http://www.rivbike.com/images/products/full/0000/1031/31-344_obenaufsbig.jpg

from rivendelle...



Country of Origin

United States

It's made for the leather boots of firefighters, but is widely regarded as the best leather preservative around. Even Russell recommends it, and when Russell recommends a leather goop, my friend, you know it's good.
A thimblefull will treat an entire saddle. It has beeswax and propolis (something else bees make, and a super preservative). And some other stuff, but basically we're talking about the best thing to put on nearly any leather, and certainly any Brooks saddle. We prefer it to Proofide, Brooks's own leather goop. Made in Idaho. One 4 ounce tube will treat about 90 saddles, or a few saddles and lots of boots, belts, and baseball mitts.
A new saddle doesn't need it, but after a few months, put some of this on it. Topside and underside. What the heck.

fwiw i commuted all winter n the rain on a brooks, and there was no lasting damage. you just have to take care of it a bit more.

I have a handful of brook saddles and have never needed to soften them up. I only use proofide.. One good coat on the bottom and another on top.. Buff the top and ride.. I usually proofide the top about once a year or so..

The saddles are supposed to firm.. I feel that there is this huge mental obstacle when it comes to Brooks saddles.. You get the saddle and do the knock test with your fist and your mind says "oh my god this thing is hard, it is going to be terrible to ride this leather seat from hell".. People start perusing websites to find out how to break them in and there are many theories and techniques..

I personally have not found any of the brooks saddle to be uncomfortable out of the box.. If it was, it was usually an issue of having the saddle to level.. I prefer to have the saddle pointed slightly up..

When you ride the saddle it will break in..

they are not really a hassle at all i just started riding mine like any other saddle, not really concerned about the weight thing

you don't have to treat the saddle often, i treated mine yesterday and probably wont again for a couple months

IMO you should follow the care directions in the saddle packaging - use Proofide, don't over do it, just keep it as dry as possible and re-apply every 6 months or so. I'd also trust Sheldon knows what he's talking about, too.

Riding it in bad weather is hardly a big deal - a plastic bag can work when parked or riding, and there are these wonderful devices invented to keep water from spraying up/out called fenders, which definitely help.

If you're a weight weenie, your Brooks would have Ti rails and be a swift cut or some such... it seriously isn't a big deal. If I load my two cages with full water bottles it's probably about the same if not more... Comfort > weight.

yep. 2 years later my brooks swift flexes like a chinese acrobat...

"A thimblefull will treat an entire saddle. It has beeswax and propolis (something else bees make, and a super preservative)."

As a beekeeper, I would not recommend propolis. It is composed of sap from trees, thus making it extremely tacky. It is used by bees to "glue" hive components together. It is a good antiseptic, but it a huge ***** to clean off woodenware.

geesh, i used mayo there you have it
use some mayo and make sure to put it on and then sit on it for a while to really work it in

**** brooks.
Too much hassle, and if you have to actually ride your bike and get it wet....

It's also **** ton heavy compared to other more comfortable saddles.

I have Brooks saddles on both my commuter/distance rig and my fixed gear, and I "actually ride" both of them in all sorts of weather. Clip on fenders for the fixie, hard-mount fenders for the commuter, and an $8 saddle cover for when it's raining.

I can't argue with the weight, though. The B-17 Champ. Std. is a brick; but it's the most comfortable long distance saddle I've ever put my butt on. I'm doing a double on my B-17 Imperial this weekend, and I've done 40 mile training rides on my fixed gear with a B-17 CS. There's plenty lighter weight, but nothing is more comfortable.

Why would you want to soften the leather? It's supposed to be rather hard.

I didn't use Neatsfoot to "soften" the saddle but to help break it in.
I used Neatsfoot over 25 years ago to break in a Brooks saddle, and it held for all these years.

One of the reasons Brooks recommends Proofide -- in addition to water protection -- is to help break it in.

The use of Neatsfoot is not necessarily to soften leather, but to prevent dry-crack associated with aging.

I didn't use Neatsfoot to "soften" the saddle but to help break it in.

What's the difference? When you 'break in' a Brooks saddle, the leather becomes more pliable (softer) at the contact points with your arse. Neatsfoot is just doing that to the whole saddle, making it more likely to cause problems with sag and hammocking.

not hammocking!
it will turn into a banana hammock in no time

proofide discussions are fun

I have Brooks saddles on both my commuter/distance rig and my fixed gear, and I "actually ride" both of them in all sorts of weather. Clip on fenders for the fixie, hard-mount fenders for the commuter, and an $8 saddle cover for when it's raining.

I can't argue with the weight, though. The B-17 Champ. Std. is a brick; but it's the most comfortable long distance saddle I've ever put my butt on. I'm doing a double on my B-17 Imperial this weekend, and I've done 40 mile training rides on my fixed gear with a B-17 CS. There's plenty lighter weight, but nothing is more comfortable.

You can get small mountain bike gels that are more comfortable and weigh less. or even just racing saddles.
They don't look like what everybody else has but......oh well.

IDK, I think the whole brooks craze is fashion over function and it's not that fashionable to begin with.

IDK, I think the whole brooks craze is fashion over function and it's not that fashionable to begin with.

Do you even ride one?

I haven't proofided either of my brookses for over a year and they're both doing fine. I gave both of them a very thorough "hot proofide" treatment in the sun when I got them and it's gone a really long way. I probably used too much; just a little dab will do and you just need to run fenders and keep a cover on if you park your bike outside in the rain. I recommend the aardvark cover from velo orange over the official brooks cover.

What's the difference? When you 'break in' a Brooks saddle, the leather becomes more pliable (softer) at the contact points with your arse. Neatsfoot is just doing that to the whole saddle, making it more likely to cause problems with sag and hammocking.

???

Proofide does nothing to promote the breakin of the saddle. Softening leather promotes the breakdown of the fiber structure. Something you don't want happening with a saddle supporting weight.

Really?

The official manual booklet that accompanies every single Brooks saddle specifically states that every "new Brooks saddle should be treated with Proofide to help assist the break-in."

It sounds like a lot of people assume that Neatsfoot breaks down the fibers of the leather. This is only true in the case of *over-saturation* with substances like mineral oil, mink oil or similar oils. Applied appropriately with the correct amount, application of Neatsfoot results in the same treatment result as Proofide.

Many members seem to be consumers and perpetuators of false information.

My natural ass makes comfort with my Brooks when I buy it tomorrow. I heard haha that you should put nothing on the saddle. I could understand a light whatever for preservation purposes but that's about it. Your just going to have to work in out people. I will let everyone know how my Brooks adventure is after I have one.

Wow this thread blew up.

I have since ordered the proofide, I will use it, then ride the thing, and get back to you about it..and also down the road.

thanks for the replies.

IDK, I think the whole brooks craze is fashion over function and it's not that fashionable to begin with.


Do you even ride one?

Of course he hasn't, and judging by his quote he seems to think people really liking their Brooks saddles is a new thing associated with FG fashion. He sounds like another angry college kid who thinks he's dong it 'his way'. Urgh.

I agree with him. It says "Since 1866" on the box. Fashionista poseurs since 1866, that is! Ha!

Basically everything Sheldon Brown says has been told to me as well from a former Cat-3 racer. Everyone has their approach, I dont have patience to sit on a saddle and have my ass hurt for hundreds of miles because I want to take a slow approach.

I have since ordered the proofide, I will use it, then ride the thing, and get back to you about it..and also down the road.


bummer. I was going to recommend Mink Oil (its actually a paste). Available at just about every supermarket on the planet.

I've used Neatsfoot oil but now the saddles keeps staining my pants :( I have to wear different pants and change them when I arrive at work... (ridden it for 200miles or so)

no stainy with proofide
just get the cool little maintenance kit and be done with it peoples

No staining whatsoever with Neatsfoot, even with khakis or jeans.
Neatsfoot, Proofide, or whatever method, it's all good. Just don't saturate the stuff like a Saturday night binge event.

You can get small mountain bike gels that are more comfortable and weigh less. or even just racing saddles.
They don't look like what everybody else has but......oh well.

IDK, I think the whole brooks craze is fashion over function and it's not that fashionable to begin with.

Saddle choice is one of those questions, like brakes/no brakes or helmet/not, which is sure to piss off everyone after a while. Your last sentence is a perfect example of what it all really boils down to: I think....

I can't stand gel saddles, especially if I'm spending more than 8 hours on my bike. I haven't found a plastic shell saddle that matches the comfort of my Brooks for rides over 100 miles. I don't care about the weight, because over the distances I'm riding I have no problem with the extra weight for the comfort factor.

Saddle choice is one of those questions, like brakes/no brakes or helmet/not, which is sure to piss off everyone after a while. Your last sentence is a perfect example of what it all really boils down to: I think....

I can't stand gel saddles, especially if I'm spending more than 8 hours on my bike. I haven't found a plastic shell saddle that matches the comfort of my Brooks for rides over 100 miles. I don't care about the weight, because over the distances I'm riding I have no problem with the extra weight for the comfort factor.

+1
i am thinking about a second brooks for my singlespeed, i have a cheap saddle with some squish to it which is fine for short jaunts but tends to be annoying after a while

Of course he hasn't, and judging by his quote he seems to think people really liking their Brooks saddles is a new thing associated with FG fashion. He sounds like another angry college kid who thinks he's dong it 'his way'. Urgh.

are you asking if i have used one or do i use one?

I'm out of college thanks, and it's not about "my way".
I've given distinct reasons why it's not practical to use one.

It's too heavy.
It's too much of a hassle to care for and use.
It's not that comfortable really in my experience.


There are better saddles for less money that are easier to use.

It's like using chuck tailors to play basketball in because it's vintage and "hip" instead of using a comfortable basketball shoe that supports your foot. Except, it's not hip when every muppet on earth has one. But a lot of FG culture is like that, and hey if you have your bike just to show it off that's one thing.

yes it is fashionable but it also very functional and extremely practical
i don't find myself riding to the coffee shop to show off my saddle, some of us who enjoy riding our bikes like to improve the ride so we can ride longer not just to the coffee shop for crumpets, althouth i do enjoy a good crumpet

yes it is fashionable but it also very functional
i don't find myself riding to the coffee shop to show off my saddle, some of us who enjoy riding our bikes like to improve the ride so we can ride longer not just to the coffee shop for crumpets, althouth i do enjoy a good crumpet

How is it functional when it's just a leather seat?
It doesn't have a cut out, or a groove to protect your taint nerves, it isn't rain resistant, and it's heavy.

People just assume you MUST have a brooks to ride a fixed gear.

meh, i like mine a lot, it provides good support and my butt is not complaining or my taint, the leather is not supposed to get soaked but i use fenders or cover it with a plastic bag when it rains, it's not too much of a hassle considering what the saddle gives back

not everyone who rides a fixed bike has a brooks but there are a lot of fans
maybe you should try one out you might enjoy it

just ride what you want

How is it functional when it's just a leather seat?
It doesn't have a cut out, or a groove to protect your taint nerves, it isn't rain resistant, and it's heavy.


You are missing the point because you are NOT talking out of your @$$.

It doesn’t need a groove. It's contoured and suspended. The pressure points are dispersed and it moves and breathes with the taint.

dudes -- i've been riding a Brooks on my road bike for 3+ years, i tried -- really tried -- to resist posting here but there seem to be some grave misconceptions floating around.

the issue of weight doesn't bother me, nor should it really affect anyone not racing professionally, we're talking about 1/4 lb. differences here. come on.

secondly, the issue of comfort is irrelevant until you've ridden the damn thing for at least 100 miles. the leather is *supposed* to be stiff as ****, that way once it finally conforms to your buttcheeks it will keep that form. there are no specific pressure points at all once you've gotten to this point -- including on your taint nerves. that's true comfort in my opinion. ergo, don't ride a Brooks once or twice (especially if it's modeled on someone else's buttcheeks [unless it's a hot chick's buttcheeks]) and go around talking smack about how they aren't very comfortable.

i never conditioned my Brooks. i've left it in the rain, sun, etc. granted the gloss isn't what it used to be but it isn't like these things will curdle if you don't slather on some overpriced leather conditioner on it. there is simply no "hassle" to speak of.

as for the "fashion" aspects, this is simply a ******** point to be arguing so from here on out everyone who brings it up is a ****** par excellence and should stick to attending Modest Mouse shows instead of riding bikes and getting in my way with your foolishness.

the end.

How is it functional when it's just a leather seat?
It doesn't have a cut out, or a groove to protect your taint nerves, it isn't rain resistant, and it's heavy.

People just assume you MUST have a brooks to ride a fixed gear.

It's functional because when you don't sink into an over-stuffed foam or gel padded seat, you don't have to worry so much about cutouts or grooves to protect your nerves. You aren't crushing them because you're contacting the saddle at the ischial protuberances (your sit bones) the way you're meant to perch on a saddle.
Now, a more agressive position will roll you forward to a point where you might be putting pressure on these nerves. The B-17 isn't a saddle designed with high-speed racing in mind, although the B-17 Imperial prototype does have a cutout to keep your dangly bits from falling asleep.
It isn't rain resistant? Last I checked, cows stand out in the rain all the time. A little bit of water isn't going to kill your Brooks... You're just not supposed to get them drenched, and then go ride on them. It's easy enough to keep a cheap ($8.00) saddle cover in your bag or stuff a plastic grocery bag up under the seat rails for when it rains.
Again, I won't argue the weight. If you want a light saddle, Brooks ain't it. I ride Brooks saddles because I find they're comfortable for very long distance rides. I can spare the extra weight since my distance rig already weighs over 30 pounds.