Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - "Butchering" a Brooks B-17

My new Soma Rush frame arrived today and am building her up... I have almost new Brooks B-17, which I aim to cut down a bit. I found some info on the practice on fixedgeargallery, but would like to know if anyone has done this? How much weight can you lose from the hide?

- B

"How much weight can you lose from the hide?"

Not enough to make a difference, IMO.

I don't know that the intent is to lose weight but to reduce the amount of leather that is on the sides of the B-17 and make it more like the Swallow or Swift which are both a much more expensive saddles, thereby saving yourself a considerable amount of bucks. The net weight loss is minimal.



fixedgearhead

agree with fixegearhead; the swallow was basically a chopped saddle for 'high' performance riding (less leather is less chafing). Dont think the intention was ever to lose weight; chopping (and the swallow for that matter) was in practice long before the current (mis) belief that weight is a significant factor in performance.

The swift is a diffent story; modern market wants light; ergo the swift.

I think the swallow, or even a chopped saddle looks plenty cool. No harm in that. But the 17 (or any other brooks) already has plenty of character stock.

My new Soma Rush frame arrived today and am building her up... I have almost new Brooks B-17, which I aim to cut down a bit. I found some info on the practice on fixedgeargallery, but would like to know if anyone has done this? How much weight can you lose from the hide?

- B


There is another thread on here where the fixer shows some pics of a cut down saddle. He also talks about how it is done, and the durability. They are the same pics as the pics on the fixed gear gallery page.

The only thing that I see to argue against the butchery is longevity/integrity. The weight/thickness of the B-17 leather is thinner than either of the other saddles mentioned. I have all three of the above saddles on various bikes and the leather is different. There is a central stiffener on the Swallow also. Not on the Swift which has T.I. rails. Be careful what you wish for. You could get a really nice swayback leather saddle after all is said and done. Then the only thing you can do to rectify the problem, is lace up the center span which is an old time remedy for sagging leather saddles. Not to discourage you but, Caveat Emptor.

fixedgearhead

Here's an old B15 I butchered just a couple days ago. This saddle was well broken in and after trimming the skirts and the rear, I pulled the saddle about a half turn at the nut. Since it is an old saddle, I may have to lace it up.....but so far, no sagging.

When you cut away the leather from the sides of the saddle understand that you will likely expose the saddle clamp.

Why is this a problem? Well, it was for me. I have an American Classic seatpost and the saddle clamp would rub my inner thigh slightly as I pedalled. I was using a Vetta SL saddle at the time. Eventually, I cut holes in a couple of nice bibs this way.

I'd like to think the rubbing is due to my massive quads, but I think I'm a normal roadie this respect. The saddle was not slid back unreasonably either.

I'll keep my saddle just the way it is to protect my shorts.

When you cut away the leather from the sides of the saddle understand that you will likely expose the saddle clamp.

Why is this a problem? Well, it was for me. I have an American Classic seatpost and the saddle clamp would rub my inner thigh slightly as I pedalled. I was using a Vetta SL saddle at the time. Eventually, I cut holes in a couple of nice bibs this way.

I'd like to think the rubbing is due to my massive quads, but I think I'm a normal roadie this respect. The saddle was not slid back unreasonably either.

I'll keep my saddle just the way it is to protect my shorts.
This exposing of the rails and clamp is no different from those skimpy plastic & leather saddles that are out there.

George

This exposing of the rails and clamp is no different from those skimpy plastic & leather saddles that are out there.


Right. And it was on a Vetta SL where this was a problem for me.

The comfort of my Brooks B-17N is wonderful, but I also appreciate the side pieces that protect my shorts from rubbing my seat clamp and causing premature wear.

I have a number of Brooks saddles currently atop my bikes. These include a Pro-Select, a Pro, a B17, a B17N and a Conquest. In the past 35 years it has seldom taken me more than a few initial rides on a new bike/frame to decide to dispense with the plastic saddle supplied. Much as I am impressed by the look of the butchered saddles, I would be wary of foreshortening the life of such a wonderfully functional product, or possibly creating comfort issues where none presently exist. Again, whilst I think I understand the marketing strategy behind Titanium railed Brooks saddles, they are of little interest to me. Cost and weight are not serious issues but longevity and comfort are- and I like the way they look straight from the box.

There is a great tradition of cutaway leather saddles I am pleased to see revived....it just isn't for me.

How much weight can you lose from the hide? - B
Bikkhu....
Since you brought up the weight issue, that made me a bit curious myself. I found the three major pieces which I cut out from the B15 pictured above in my trash and decided to weigh them. Scale shows 48g but including the seatbag loops which I ground off and from all the sanding, I would imagine total weight savings to be around 75g. I'm not a weight weenie so this doesn't really matter. The only reason for these chop jobs I do is strictly for the cool factor and nothing else.

Just out of curiousity...

Is there any bike shops that know Brooks saddles inside and out that perform this "butchering" service. I'm to scared to do this myself.

I have a fairly new B17 (which I don't want to cut up), but a non-cycling co-worker of mine has a Brooks (which he hates!) he is going to give me (I don't know what the model is). I hope he comes through, I gave him a gel saddle in anticipation of it!

thanks for the advice... I am trying to decide wether to put in the B17 I have, butchered (=cheap), dish out for a Swift (=nice!) or try a Selle Italia Storika, which is 98 euros at the moment...