Bicycle Mechanics - Brooks Swift Ti saddle issues

I've just bought a saddle that seems to have problems. The tension screw was half-way tightened, and the leather seems to have been softened too much.

If I loosen the screw, the saddle sways way too much, but, if I tighten it, the saddle splays out at the sides way too much.

What do you all think is the best plan to get it back into shape and usable?

Here are some pictures:

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Take it back and get a new one.

1st question----how old is the saddle? If new and unused or barely used, ask for an exchange.

Otherwise adjust the saddle for best tension on the leather, then put a locknut on from the back side of the bolt to stabilize it. 40+ years ago Brooks top end saddles included 2 nuts,, one to jack the bolt out, and the other as a locknut. It seems they've gotten cheap in the meantime.

BTW- for others reading this, over oiling the saddle with leather conditioner often cause excess stretch. use neetsfoot oil, or Brooks Proof-hide ot your favorite leather conditioner sparingly, lest the leather relax too much.

Used? 2 splay cures ..1, less leather.. cut away the skirt .. skiive the edge.

2 , punch holes and lace across the bottom to pull them towards each other.

Is it new and purchased from a Brooks dealer? Then send it back. Your comment about it having been softened too much makes me wonder if it is used.

It's used, off EBay.

As for returning it, that's not possible.

As for lacing it, where is the best place to do that? Toward the cantle plate? How high up should the holes be off the edge of the leather for resisting tears?

Thanks for the help!

Punch some holes along the perimeter of the leather, e.g.:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K3LsaGxYIZg/Sj9b8e91JYI/AAAAAAAAATA/-lYXs7vhQgg/s400/lacing4.jpg

^I've seen this before. I'm looking for something a little more "subtle", to put it mildly. I've putzed around with it and it seems that the laces in the middle of the mounting points of the rails will do nothing but frustrate me when I go to install the saddle. I'm hoping that someone has actually done this lacing, subtly, with either a Swallow or a Swift, which doesn't interfere with putting the thing on the seatpost!

Thanks for the opportunity to contrast what has been done with what I'm actually trying to achieve.

So you bought a home attempt at instant leather break-in. Because the leather is no longer rigid it has to be held in form some other way. Inelegant lacing is the only way I can think of. Out of curiosity why don't you send it back or call the credit card company?

Out of curiosity why don't you send it back or call the credit card company?

If the problems with the saddle were disclosed in the ebay auction, there would be no grounds for that. I don't know if they were disclosed or not, but the tone of the OP seems to be that there's no recourse, so it makes me think that it was no surprise that the saddle has problems.

I do know this: a Brooks Swift ti saddle is a very expensive item new, and will bring very good money on ebay if it's in good condition. I had one once, it was one of the few Brooks saddles I've ever used that just wasn't comfortable to me. I sold it on ebay and got a very good price for it; it was in great shape.

If the problems with the saddle were disclosed in the ebay auction, there would be no grounds for that. I don't know if they were disclosed or not, but the tone of the OP seems to be that there's no recourse, so it makes me think that it was no surprise that the saddle has problems.

I do know this: a Brooks Swift ti saddle is a very expensive item new, and will bring very good money on ebay if it's in good condition. I had one once, it was one of the few Brooks saddles I've ever used that just wasn't comfortable to me. I sold it on ebay and got a very good price for it; it was in great shape.

Exactly the issue. I saw that it was going to have problems. I didn't expect the issues to be this bad. I've actually had one before, and it was the best saddle I've ever owned.

BTW, I already have the punch. I'm just concerned about details about where best to put the laces before possibly ruining the saddle forever.

BTW, I already have the punch. I'm just concerned about details about where best to put the laces before possibly ruining the saddle forever.

This is how Brooks punch their Aged line

http://www.brooksengland.com/catalogue-and-shop/saddles/Touring+%26+Trekking/B17+Aged/

I took mine to a local western boots shopt and they punched it for few bucks.

^Thanks for the link, it appears that the holes are approx. 5-10mm from the edge. My saddle has a chamfer, so the holes should probably be more like 10mm from the edge, since the chamfer portion should be a little thinner.

I saw a post a few days ago about sending a brooks to a shop and they would replace the leather for around $90. So if you mess up the saddle, you still can have it saved somewhat.

40+ years ago Brooks top end saddles included 2 nuts,, one to jack the bolt out, and the other as a locknut.

Piffle!

I fixed the saddle today, eight holes and two leather boot straps laced through them and the saddle looks and behaves almost as good as a used one now. Thanks for the help!!