Bicycle Mechanics - Used Brooks saddles?

I have my eye on a couple of B17s on Ebay, but I'm concerned about the saddles taking the shape of their previous owner. Will it just break in to my backside like a new one would, or quicker because it's softer, or slower because it has to change shape again? Anything I should look out for, except Proofide and tensioning spanners?

I've seen this question before, and realistically I don't
have a good answer to it. That said what I'd recommend
is look for the NOS or gently used (not fully broken in)
saddles. Some of the NOS saddles will be more difficult
to break in (especially the brooks pro). I think the entire
break in process is the fibres stretching and thus the molding to your specific anatomy. I would guess a prebroken in saddle would adapt quicker.

Marty

I have my eye on a couple of B17s on Ebay, but I'm concerned about the saddles taking the shape of their previous owner. Will it just break in to my backside like a new one would, or quicker because it's softer, or slower because it has to change shape again? Anything I should look out for, except Proofide and tensioning spanners?

I can't speak for used Brooks saddlesas I've never had one. However there are places that sell new Brooks saddles quite reasonably http://www.permaco.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/race.html?L+scstore+njjn1436ff3ee03e+1079369735 is where I bought my last two B-17s. Good pricing and very prompt delivery. I have 6 bikes, including a tandem, and all are equipped with Brooks.

Hey Marty, I should have my 'new', re-done Kirk in a week or two.

Dave,

you gonna post pictures at Serotta or here?
I almost fainted when I read your open statement and
kind of omitted the "used".

Marty

Dave,

you gonna post pictures at Serotta or here?
I almost fainted when I read your open statement and
kind of omitted the "used".

Marty
Marty:

I'll post pics first on BikeFanClub photo gallery: http://www.bikefanclub.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?Cat= then a little while later on the Serotta custom bikes gallery.

I have a new maroon B-17 that should be perfect with the colors on my 'TerraPlane' Kirk. No, don't ask, that's what Dave has named it.

I bought my Brooks Pro in near-NOS condition 30 years ago, and my Competition in well-broken-in condition 3 years ago on eBay. Both continue to serve me well.

Of course, vintage means used and abused. It was dried out and had a couple badly scraped corners. I treated it with Oberhuafs, recommended by Rivendell, and it feels great. At $17 it was an easy way to dabble in the magic of Brooks. I wouldn't worry about it conforming to another's butt.