Bicycle Mechanics - Proofide ?

Hi,

I've got a Brooks B17 that is about 2 years old and it has never been treated with anything.

I think it's due for a spruce up and wondered what would be the best treatment for it ?

I've got some Renapur which is amazing stuff and some Nikwax which is usually ok for leather.

Should I use one of these, something else or is the Proofide definitively the best to use ?

Also, how do I tell if it is due a tightening ?

Cheers !!

:)

There is nothing magic about Proofide. Any real leather conditioner will work. I have used Lexol from an autoparts store for years because it breaks in the saddle immediately. Others use neatsfoot oil, motor oil (really!), and snowseal. In fact, Proofide is harder to use because it does not come in liquid form and has to applied with the saddle and the can of Proofide left out in the summer sun to warm up. That is why the Brits always thought it took years to break in a Brooks saddle, they had no summer sun....

I don't suppose anyone knows what is in proofide ?

TIA....

:)

Proofide is like Lexol, it is mostly pig fat with lye based preservatives. Not joking!

I don't suppose anyone knows what is in proofide ?

TIA....

:)


Ingredients: Tallow, Cod oil, Vegetable oil, Paraffin wax, Beeswax, and Citronella oil.

Ingredients: Tallow, Cod oil, Vegetable oil, Paraffin wax, Beeswax, and Citronella oil.

Thanks !

Any idea how to tell if the saddle needs retensioning ?

:)

Thanks !

Any idea how to tell if the saddle needs retensioning ?

:)

My experience with Brooks saddles is that it's probably a good idea to be very cautious about tightening them. I've got two B-17's and a Team Pro, and I've never tensioned any of them. I think if there's no obvious problem with the leather being noticeably loose or sagging, just leave it alone. I remember reading on Sheldon's site that an easy way to ruin a Brooks is to tighten it unnecessarily-

I use Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP on my Brooks and it works wonderfully. Either product will work, I just like Obenauf's.

I would not recommend Neatsfoot Oil (turns the saddle into a sling).

I would not recommend Neatsfoot Oil (turns the saddle into a sling).

Thanks for the advice.

Don't worry, I wasn't going to try it, or motor oil either (it rots leather).

:)

I think I'll try the Renapur on it as (looking at the ingredients) proofide doesn't seem to be anything special - I think Renapur is the best thing I've ever seen for leather.

If there is no solid reason for using only Proofide, I won't.

I think the saddle has sagged a little but I am also aware that the bolt should only be tightened a little and infrequently.

What to do ?

Cheers.

I've treated the underside with nikwax and the top with renapur.

I still suspect it needs tightening - is there any definitive way to tell if the tension is too low ?

TIA...

:)

Pure Neatsfoot oil certainly does not turn a Brooks saddle into a sling. Perhaps the neatsfoot oil compound does, I don't know.

Pure Neatsfoot oil certainly does not turn a Brooks saddle into a sling. Perhaps the neatsfoot oil compound does, I don't know.

It may not but it is organic in nature and encourages mould. That said I had one for thirty-odd years that I conditioned with neatsfoot oil.

I have my own blend of the original proofide ingredients: beeswax, tallow, citronella oil, vegetable oil (olive), paraffin (candle) wax and cod oil (smells like fish, therefore citronella is needed to get rid of the smell)

This home brew stuff works fine. It is much cheaper compared to the ridiculous high price of the original proofide (which is about 10 $ a can).

I guess any good quality product designed for maintaining a horse saddle would be ok for caring about your brooks.

I've treated the underside with nikwax and the top with renapur.

I still suspect it needs tightening - is there any definitive way to tell if the tension is too low ?

TIA...

:)

Ride it and see if it "holds you up" the way you would like. If not, give the screw a half-turn and try again. I'd assume the idea is to maintain the resilient feel as new without straining the leather. That said, I haven't really had one sag significantly ever.

Wear dark/old clothing for the first few rides after treating an older brooks saddle.

This home brew stuff works fine. It is much cheaper compared to the ridiculous high price of the original proofide (which is about 10 $ a can).

I don't doubt you're right but there is this to consider:

How long will that $10.00 can of Proofide last? Using genuine Proofide there's no debate about if I'm using the right product. There's no guesswork and I'm set for the rest of my life.

Brooks advises never tightening the saddle more than a quarter turn at a time. And be VERY cautious about over tightening.

Brooks advises never tightening the saddle more than a quarter turn at a time. And be VERY cautious about over tightening.


Thanks, I stand corrected!

a small tin of Proofide will lose its good smell before you use it up. A little goes a LOONNNG way.

Brooks advises never tightening the saddle more than a quarter turn at a time. And be VERY cautious about over tightening.

I am being cautious, which is why I haven't tightened it.....

:(

what about conditioning a white regal? anything good for not staining?