Touring - Wierd Brooks Question

I have a slightly unusual problem with my Brooks saddle. It's a B17 that I have had for about eight years now and it's still in excellent condition although I don't ride it all the time (I have nine bikes myself).

The problem is it's starting to flare out more, but on only ONE side. The other side is not flared out at all, like it's brand new. I never touched the tensioner on the front of the saddle. There is a noticeable difference when I look at the top of the saddle. My B66 is also starting to do this too after a couple hundred miles. Also on the saddles of my bikes that get ridden more than occasionally, the nose of the saddle "migrates" slightly to the right of the toptube.

The LBS guy who carries Brooks saddles says that I may have one leg shorter than the other. I just thought the crack of my butt was crooked :D

Anyway this is really aggravating. I just bought a new Brooks Conquest saddle (my FIFTH Brooks) for a 350- mile tour this summer (GOBA) and I don't want this to happen to it. Is there anything I can do about it? Should I still tension the saddle (I don't want to do this of I don't have to)?

I think the guy in your lbs is probably right. Don't touch the tensioner bolt as that not its purpose. You can do what was the practice with some Brooks' models in the 30's at which time some models had a line of perforations along the bottom of the "wings" following the curve. Cord was then threaded throught he holes and when pulled together drew in the wings preventing them from rubbing against the inside of the thighs. I suggest you do likewise (I would use a hot spike of some sort) then use whipping cord to pull the wings together. This should do the job and still look the business. I would also check out the leg theory, as if it's true you can get knee problems. George.

The LBS guy who carries Brooks saddles says that I may have one leg shorter than the other. I just thought the crack of my butt was crooked :D

Your saddle has hernia.... :D
Seriously, I think your saddles are simply comforming to your anatomy. I think they're doing their intended jobs of properly breaking in. I wouldn't worry about it unless they are causing you discomfort.

Edit: I once purchased a defective Brooks where the leather on one side was significantly softer than the other side. Bill from Wallingford acknowledged this defect and gave me a replacement.

Bill Laine at www.wallbike.com is a good guy and may have an answer for you. Give him a call or email. He probably knows as much about Brooks saddles as anybody. You can also get in touch with Sheldon Brown at www.sheldonbrown.com He runs the website for the Harris Bicycle Shop up around Boston.

From what I've heard, doing the lacing thing seems like the best idea. Those saddles are made from high-grade leather, so as long as you're careful, punching some holes in the "wings" shouldn't hurt them.

The above advice is very good.
Do remember that Brooks saddles are there for comfort first, looks second (stop looking at it), although they are works of functional art.
I guess if it's comfortable, don't worry too much how it looks.
~Roger~

If I remember, the old Brooks model B5N, had the perforations in it from the factory. Don't know why they stoped (probably cost,labour) but it's a good idea. I'll do mine if I ever need to. A good cobbler could do it properly.