General Cycling Discussion - Brooks Saddles

How are the brooks saddles? I was thinking of putting one on. Do they take awhile to break in?

I recently installed a B17 Narrow, and its still breaking in (so can't give a full review yet), only 100-150 miles on it probably. They take at least a couple hundred to break in, if you have soaked them in something like neatsfoot oil. I've heard its more like 500 miles if you use Proofide.
I've never heard a bad review about a Brooks, for what it's worth.
Sheldon Brown probably has a few things to say on the topic, http://sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
This is definitely a question for the Search function. Meaning, you aren't the first person to ask it. Not by a long shot.

There used to be a ton of user reviews at www.wallbike.com, but I can't currently find them.

On the other hand, I *did* see both 'Pre-Aged' Brooks saddles...

...and this little number called the Banana Guard:
http://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends/jpg/bananaguardopen.jpg
Hehehehe...

I have a b-17, it is not a soft saddle-- actually sort of hard. But soft isn't really comfortable, the thing is well designed to fit my anatomy, at least. Right out of the box it's just like i said, hard. It is always a hard seat but it conforms to your body and softens some.

I'm totally sold on them. Soft cushy seats feel good in the store but hurt your ass after a few miles.

a cult seat for the anachronistic retro rider. If they were half as good as the fanatics say you would expect to see at least one pro rider on one. Thanks, but I'll stick to cycling advancements in all areas, including my saddle.

a cult seat for the anachronistic retro rider. If they were half as good as the fanatics say you would expect to see at least one pro rider on one. Thanks, but I'll stick to cycling advancements in all areas, including my saddle.

Or a well built saddle for those that actually understand what a saddle, not a seat, is.

a cult seat for the anachronistic retro rider. If they were half as good as the fanatics say you would expect to see at least one pro rider on one. Thanks, but I'll stick to cycling advancements in all areas, including my saddle.

So what variety is your saddle?

Selle Italia Flite Kit Carbonio and Selle Italia SLR

Hard plastic BMX.
Blue to match the fenders.

Enjoy

Expensive and heavy, look nice though.

On mtbr.com and roadbikereview.com, Brooks receive very high marks. I don't have one, but from what I understand, they're best in warmer drier climes. They wouldn't fair well on my commuter nor my mtb, as each get very wet very frequently.

a cult seat for the anachronistic retro rider. If they were half as good as the fanatics say you would expect to see at least one pro rider on one. Thanks, but I'll stick to cycling advancements in all areas, including my saddle.
Does that include derailleurs?

I have B17 that I got because it was relatively inexpensive and I liked the look of the leather saddle, rather than being a retro-zealot. Minimum break in time for mine. Break in times tend to vary as the leather between saddles isn't always exactly the same thickness (apparently). It served me well on a three week bike tour and my 20 km daily commutes. I find the dye in the leather does tend to come out a bit, which is a minor pain as mine is racing green. This may not be as much of a problem with the black or natural colours. As well, because it's leather, you need to protect it from heavy rain etc whereas you may not need to do that with a saddle made with all the latest cycling advancements. No regrets buying mine.

If they were half as good as the fanatics say you would expect to see at least one pro rider on one.

wow.. what a lame way to pick gear... should we all trade in our bikes for lance armstrong treks? nothing wrong with a lil style.. and the brooks look cool.. and according to people they are a nice spot for your ass to rest.. what more do you want..

Mentioning the word "Brooks" on this forum is like ringing Pavlov's little bell. We all salivate and weigh in with our opinions. Some call the Brooks an ass hatchet. Some would rather give up their own children then hand over their Brooks. I'm one of the weirdos in between. I've got two of them. Like them both but they did take some breaking in. Or maybe they didn't break in. Maybe my butt broke in. Anyway, if you buy one at www.wallbike.com, you can return it if you don't like it. Best way might be to find out for yourself.

my question is if properly proofhided do they stand up to water? i was thinking of one for my commuter but it gets ridden in the rain and my last brooks-like saddle (5 dollar garage sale score) just kept stretching and stretching till it was useless in a few months (i am guessing this was because i never treated the leather?)

so, any rainy day riders happy with their brooks?

Selle Italia Flite Kit Carbonio and Selle Italia SLR

Both of which are also "hard saddles"- and very comfortable- at least the SLR- my personal fave. Too bad I can't get more mileage out of mine.

...and this little number called the Banana Guard:
http://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends/jpg/bananaguardopen.jpg
Hehehehe...

Wow. Reminds me of the penis catch for Little Donny in that Upright Citizen's Brigade sketch. But, you know, for those that are less endowed.

Thanks, but I'll stick to marketing advancements in all areas, including my saddle.

:rolleyes:

a cult seat for the anachronistic retro rider. If they were half as good as the fanatics say you would expect to see at least one pro rider on one. Thanks, but I'll stick to cycling advancements in all areas, including my saddle.Pros ride, what they are payed to ride.

My butt says that only a Brooks is good enough. Nothing else matters!

my question is if properly proofhided do they stand up to water? i was thinking of one for my commuter but it gets ridden in the rain and my last brooks-like saddle (5 dollar garage sale score) just kept stretching and stretching till it was useless in a few months (i am guessing this was because i never treated the leather?)

so, any rainy day riders happy with their brooks?

I have a brooks on my rain bike. But, I carry two swim caps to serve as covers should the need arise. First I put on a latex one for the water-proof protection, then a lycra one so I can ride normally without sticking to a rubber seat. When I'm off I take the lycra one with me. If I'm lucky I remembered a towel so I can dry before I ride (but that applies to any seat) ... or I can ride it uncovered b/c I'm on it. So far, so good. It's only been about 6 months of rain service. The bike also has fenders so the underside stays relatively dry. I've heard from others that that can be a big factor in the wet leather stretch game.

my question is if properly proofhided do they stand up to water? i was thinking of one for my commuter but it gets ridden in the rain and my last brooks-like saddle (5 dollar garage sale score) just kept stretching and stretching till it was useless in a few months (i am guessing this was because i never treated the leather?)

so, any rainy day riders happy with their brooks?

I've raced with a brooks pro for over 20 years, rain, hail and shine. No problem if you lightly proofhide the thing every couple of months - takes no more than a few minutes. The aversion to wet weather is pure nonsense in my opinon if you look after it a little.

just kept stretching and stretching till it was useless in a few months

I "butchered" the sides of my B17 and I'm afraid this is happening to mine. only time will tell...

I bought a brooks saddle about three weeks ago, right out of hte box it was the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden. I want one for all my bikes.

I have 2 and have never been disappointed

I "butchered" the sides of my B17 and I'm afraid this is happening to mine. only time will tell...

If you decide to cut back the skirts as I've done on my Pros and B17, you need to drill 4-5 holes on both sides of the bottom edge and lace it together with a shoe lace, leather strapping or whatever. Cutting the skirts significantly alters the flexibility of the saddle but can make it even more comfortable if you know what you're doing.

I have been riding my brooks B17 in the rain.. I have one of those screw on fenders to keep the water of the bottom side..

I have used generous amounts of proofide on the top and bottom.. No problems with stretching.. I make sure to wipe it down if it gets wet.. The proofide works very well in beading the water..

my question is if properly proofhided do they stand up to water? i was thinking of one for my commuter but it gets ridden in the rain and my last brooks-like saddle (5 dollar garage sale score) just kept stretching and stretching till it was useless in a few months (i am guessing this was because i never treated the leather?)

so, any rainy day riders happy with their brooks?


What do you mean, Brooks-like saddle? Is it a Brooks, or not? That's the topic of discussion.

On mtbr.com and roadbikereview.com, Brooks receive very high marks. I don't have one, but from what I understand, they're best in warmer drier climes. They wouldn't fair well on my commuter nor my mtb, as each get very wet very frequently.

Brooks of England. Not exactly a dry, warm climate. You just have to think of it like leather hiking boots. You can take them everywhere, they will last longer than anything else, but you have to care for them. Conditioning them annually, maybe more, and when it's rainy use a plastic bag cinched and tied at the seatpost or use a saddle cover.

They would be fine for your intended purposes.

If you decide to cut back the skirts as I've done on my Pros and B17, you need to drill 4-5 holes on both sides of the bottom edge and lace it together with a shoe lace, leather strapping or whatever. Cutting the skirts significantly alters the flexibility of the saddle but can make it even more comfortable if you know what you're doing.

hmmm i slightly butchered the skirts on my team pro similar to a swift, not sure if i should be worried about stretch or not. seems fine so far. where's the fixer when you need to talk brooks butchering?

I rode a Brooks Pro for a couple weeks and found it to be very uncomfortable, for what it's worth. I sit pretty far forward on my saddle and the Brooks was cutting off circulation to my, uh, "stuff." The one I was riding had been broken in for about 3yrs of riding so it wasn't a problem with it being too stiff. I am very skinny though (5'9", 118) and I think that that might have affected it for me - too wide or something. I ride a selle italia flite now.

As for the water issue, a Brooks is fine to ride in the rain but not okay to leave out in the rain. The ones that you see on old bikes that are collapsed lost all of their ability to hold tension because they were left out in rain. So if you plan on leaving your bike outside in the rain then you need some hardcore Brooks coverage.

Do not buy Brooks before you try out Titec Ithys Amore. Why? Because, in my experience Titec is atleast as comfortable as B17 (both are quite similar in hardness) and it does not crap out if you expose it to rain (the way Brooke does). To be more specific about the comfort part, I found that Titec has a flatter surface on the top and so provides a better perch than Brooks. I bought brooks based on tons of positive reviews on roadbikereview.com, but I was quite disappointed. It was not all that great. I suspect the love affair with Brooks has to do with either Brook's old world charm or the fact that white people go gaga over products handmade by other white people (more points if it is from england) or both. My main complaints are that it was not as comfortable as I was led to beleive (even after breaking it in, and after numerous adjustments), and it did softened up once (really scary) when I left the bike outside and it rained. How can people wax on a product that cannot take rain? I was asked to put a 'carradice' cover on top, which I did, but then it was even less comfortable.

...with either Brook's old world charm or the fact that white people go gaga over products handmade by other white people (more points if it is from england) or both.
Lollerskates.

I have a brooks b17 that was lightly used when i bought it and i'm sure i'm still breaking it in but it is not uncomofrtable in any way. Here's an idea, put a really uncomfortable saddle on for a few days, then change it to the brooks and i'm sure you will be happy with the brooks.

I suspect the love affair with Brooks has to do with either Brook's old world charm or the fact that white people go gaga over products handmade by other white people (more points if it is from england) or both.
I will have to second this as one of the funniest comments I have read here in a while.

i put a plastic bag over my brooks when it rains. not only does it stay dry but it also hides from potential thieves.

Brooks of England. Not exactly a dry, warm climate.

My thoughts exactly. I am considering buying one, but I am a bit concerned with its durability in winter. I would imagine with proper care it would do well... just need to find out what that "proper care" is.

I am also moving this thread to General discussion. ;)

--J