Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Reconditioning Brook Saddle

I recently got this older Brooks saddle that is very worn out. It is almost to the point of cracking, so I want to save it. Is there a type of product I can use on it, besides the actual Brooks leather conditioner? Such as leather shoe conditioner, or something I can soak it in? I can post pictures of it, if it will help with an answer.

Thanks guys.

stem cells

or just placenta

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/general-mercedes-benz/1364725-reconditioning-my-leather-seats.html

One of these should get it fully restored:

http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/16424.jpg

I use mink oil... probably not the best choice, but has worked ok for me.

Peanut butter.

If it's surface cracking, no big deal. I would go ahead and spring for a small tin of Proofide (the Brooks stuff). If the cracking is along the edge (i.e., notches in the edge of the leather) it's probably just a matter of time until the saddle splits. I have a 45 year old B72 that split like that so I had to replace it.

Peanut butter.

i tried mayonnaise, but i will give that a shot!

If it's surface cracking, no big deal. I would go ahead and spring for a small tin of Proofide (the Brooks stuff). If the cracking is along the edge (i.e., notches in the edge of the leather) it's probably just a matter of time until the saddle splits. I have a 45 year old B72 that split like that so I had to replace it.
I might actually end up doing that. Cant really find anything specifically for bike seats

hummus duh

Goat brie. NOT cow brie. Trust me, you don't want to put cow on cow.

Do you guys have cobblers in the Americas ?

A good cobbler may be able to suggest a good product other than proofride or better still perhaps treat your saddle for you and repair it sympathetically.

Olive oil, wrap it in clothes with a rope. Should be fine after 12 hours!

Do you guys have cobblers in the Americas ?


Unfortunately most of our cobblers are underage Chinese children who live abroad.

I put some time in on a dirty, cracked, rodent-chewed, flaring, unidentified leather saddle off a 60's Peugeot recently. This is what I did:

1. Soaked it in water a couple of days. This was to rehydrate the leather and soften up the caked-on grime on the top of the saddle. After soaking I wrapped a bunch of zip ties around it to help fight all the flaring that was going on.
2. Cleaned it. I used wet cloths and Lexol leather cleaner 'cause that's what I have on hand for my shoes. I kept cleaning until I couldn't really rub any more grime off, but wasn't rubbing away the leather.
3. Conditioned with Lexol leather cleaner 'cause that's what I yadda yadda...I applied a number of times as the leather really soaked it up.

Then I rode it a while. The flaring returned so I tied it with a leather boot lace. It's been improving, but I still get some brown marks on light pants so I'm thinking of applying some Sno-Seal to try to give it a "sealed" surface kinda like a new Brooks.

Sounds like a lot of hassle. I'd rather just buy a new seat.

Btw. are there any Brooks-style leather saddles that are cheaper than actual Brooks? I'm kind of tempted to get one, but I'm not sure I want to spend so much on a saddle right now, especially since I've never actually sat on one so I don't even know if I like it.

Velo Orange makes some.

Thing is, VO and Cardiff are the only competitors with remotely comparable products, and neither option is all that much cheaper. I don't know about Cardiff, but VO saddles had some quality control issues at the outset. Brooks has been delivering a high-quality product for a very, very long time, so if you're going to shell out this kind of money for a saddle, why not go with them? If cash is the issue, there's a heap of much more affordable, perfectly functional saddles out there.

Brush peanut oil on to the underside of the saddle, when that dries apply a coat of mink oil to seal. For real.

Sounds like a lot of hassle. I'd rather just buy a new seat.

Exactly. If Brooks had gone out of business years ago and their saddles were no longer available, I could understand trying to restore an old one. However, fortunately, they still make them using the same meticulous manufacturing methods and high quality leather. They are absolutely the best, and although there are a few imitators that aren't bad, Brooks saddles are in a class of their own. Considering what some modern plastic saddles cost, the price for the basic Brooks models is very reasonable. Just stay away from expensive nonsense like titanium rails and signature models.

Velo Orange makes some.

Nothing at all against Velo Orange but those saddles look a lot better than they actually are.

Just stay away from expensive nonsense like titanium rails and signature models.

Do you think the versions with copper rivets make any difference or is that just style too?

Well sure, but i didn't want a new saddle, i wanted an old French one and I strongly prefer fixing things to replacing them if possible. Probably 45minutes total.

Also, the op was looking for restoration tips, "buy a new one" doesn't seem that helpful.




Sounds like a lot of hassle. I'd rather just buy a new seat.

Do you think the versions with copper rivets make any difference or is that just style too?

The hammered copper rivets are smoother and a little less noticeable on your backside.

The hammered copper rivets are smoother and a little less noticeable on your backside.

I have 2 Brooks Pro saddles with standard unhammered rivets and don't notice them at all. You don't really sit on the rivets, anyway, although they might chafe on some fabrics since they are not completely flush.

On my Team Pro I can feel the second and fifth rivets. Not a huge deal but it bugs me a little at times.

I got some nasty saddle sores from the big brass rivets on my Pro. The edges of two of the rivets were a little proud of the surface of the leather once it had broken in. I bashed 'em with the side of a socket wrench 'till they were flush, 'cause that's how you treat a limited-edition saddle when it makes your skin chafe while in the middle of India.

They actually still look great, even after bashing.

Get a bottle of Neatsfoot Oil (leather conditioner used for baseball gloves, etc). It's cheaper than any saddle-specific foppery, but works great. Flip the saddle upside down and wrap it in tinfoil, then fill the foil up w/ oil. Let that thing soak for several hours, if it can come back, it will.

If you have a Wilson's leather store in your local mall they sell bottles of leather conditioner, it’s always worked great on my leather jackets. Or just get any good quality leather conditioner. Leather is leather, Brooks isn't special.