Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - how to take care of a white turbo

whats the best way to keep the white leather white? what kind of products do you use?

It's kind of a lost cause in my experience. You can use saddle soap to clean it (good for surface grime and such), but the white will eventually wear off and reveal the grey underneath. There's also a Kiwi shoe whitener which claims to cover scuffs and such, but I never tried it and don't know what it would do to pants.

The best way to keep it white is to not sit on it. If you actually use this saddle, it won't be white anymore.

And I know that sounds like a smart ass response, but it's pretty much true.

The best way to keep it white is to not sit on it. If you actually use this saddle, it won't be white anymore.

And I know that sounds like a smart ass response, but it's pretty much true.

Not true. Over years, yes. But the easiest way to not dye your saddle is to not wear certain denim on it. I have black Urban Outfitters jeans that stain it to hell but blue Levis don't do barely a thing. Even then a quick wipe with Pine Sol will get rid of stains, and for deeper ones use a scrubbing brush and Pine Sol. You can keep it looking pretty new. Just be careful with grease around it, I got a few dabs of red bike grease on it and there are still faint orange streaks. This is on a white Rolls.

Not true. Over years, yes.

Did you just say that it wasn't true and then say that it was true in the very next sentence?

Obviously, if you only intend on riding this saddle for a couple of months or so, you can keep it looking pretty new. But if you actually ride bikes and intend on keeping the same parts after they go out of style, then it will most definitely lose the shiny whiteness.

paint it black

Did you just say that it wasn't true and then say that it was true in the very next sentence?

Obviously, if you only intend on riding this saddle for a couple of months or so, you can keep it looking pretty new. But if you actually ride bikes and intend on keeping the same parts after they go out of style, then it will most definitely lose the shiny whiteness.

Yes and no. It is a fallacy to think that you can NOT keep a white saddle white. If you follow a fairly regular cleaning policy it WILL stay very clean and (especially if you use some type of leather conditioner) it will stay shiny. However, over the long term some dyes will get deep into the leather and start to show other colors. There are plenty of examples of this on velospace.

I said what I did because your statement was rather borderline on clarity -- it is only logical that if you continually lightly stain white leather and then remove the stain, some will become deeply ingrained into the leather. However, it must be noted that I found your reply to causate too strongly use with wear. It seems with proper care and especially with some type of shield on the leather (I can't think of the brand name ATM) one can achieve a clean look over years of use.

edit: also if you want to get the maximum aesthetic value, you could likely dye a deeply-tarnished white saddle a dark color.

http://content.officemax.com/catalog/images/397x353/02000104i_01.jpg

Don't know if it would work but maybe get that special cleaner/protector that they make for white shoes.

I detail cars for a living and, so, I deal with lots of white leather. I would suggest wiping the saddle down with Simple Green every so often and then condition the leather with Lexol. Like others have said, a white saddle is going to get dirty no matter so ride and enjoy.

Not true. Over years, yes. But the easiest way to not dye your saddle is to not wear certain denim on it. I have black Urban Outfitters jeans that stain it to hell but blue Levis don't do barely a thing. Even then a quick wipe with Pine Sol will get rid of stains, and for deeper ones use a scrubbing brush and Pine Sol. You can keep it looking pretty new. Just be careful with grease around it, I got a few dabs of red bike grease on it and there are still faint orange streaks. This is on a white Rolls.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc55/majortaylor68/blackjeans.jpg

Mr.Clean Magic Eraser. Use the original kind, white on both sides. Don't get it too wet though.

I would find a trustworthy cobbler and talk to them - I am planning to take my white Flite by my local shoe guys and see what they can do for it. I got it free from a friend and it has little finish remaining. I have seen some amazing demonstrations where people have refinished very nice but completely worn-out dress shoes, and also where people have removed the finish from shoes and refinished in a different color.

I can't see why a leather saddle couldn't be protected and also revived every few years using cobbler's techniques. I'd also like to know what you need to do to keep the finish on the saddle and not on your pants. Obviously there is a technique for this, otherwise we'd have people with white and green and brown crotches from their leather saddles.

http://www.seejackshop.com/images/uploads/white_pants_for_sjs.jpg

http://www.seejackshop.com/images/uploads/white_pants_for_sjs.jpg

I think this is really the only long-term solution.

^^ what effect would wht pant on blk saddle have?

You know guys.... all joking aside, one can wear bottoms other than denim on his or her bike. Gym shorts in particular are good for riding and not leaving a mark on the saddle, although I hope you got a saddle bag, hip pouch, etc.

You know guys.... all joking aside, one can wear bottoms other than denim on his or her bike. Gym shorts in particular are good for riding and not leaving a mark on the saddle, although I hope you got a saddle bag, hip pouch, etc.

I feel enlightened. I never knew about anything other then denim for cycling. Would cargo shorts
be OK instead of having a saddle bag or hip pouch?

Cycling shorts.

I feel enlightened. I never knew about anything other then denim for cycling. Would cargo shorts
be OK instead of having a saddle bag or hip pouch?

I feel enlightened. I never knew a counter-sarcasm to my post full of obvious sarcasm could be so unfunny.

I have a white perforated leather Concor on one bike, and while I love how it looks, I am tired of having to think about what pants I'm wearing before I get on the bike. Didn't really think about this problem when I got the Concor. So I think I'm going to switch it out for another saddle, sadly.

I have a white perforated leather Concor on one bike, and while I love how it looks, I am tired of having to think about what pants I'm wearing before I get on the bike. Didn't really think about this problem when I got the Concor. So I think I'm going to switch it out for another saddle, sadly.

Or you could always just get it dirty. God forbid someone owns a bike that looks like it's been used.

I feel enlightened. I never knew a counter-sarcasm to my post full of obvious sarcasm could be so unfunny.


I love you. :love:


Relax.

I love you. :love:


Relax.

:love:

Or you could always just get it dirty. God forbid someone owns a bike that looks like it's been used.

god forbid someone owns a bike that has an aesthetic that pleases its owner.

Or you could always just get it dirty. God forbid someone owns a bike that looks like it's been used.

God forbid somebody should own a nice looking bike and want to keep it clean.