Brooks saddles?
05-07-08, 06:02 PM
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But.....a lot of water can really mess them up. Get a cover for you saddle.
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05-07-08, 08:09 PM
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with any luck it'll be dry this year and I can ride the roadie!
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-08-08, 06:52 AM
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Just got my B17 from Wallbike.com and "proofed" it and just took a short ride on our street.
I have to say it is pretty comfortable right out of the box. I do slip some. Does that stop pretty quickly? I think I have it adjusted pretty well and the nose is up some, so I certainly do not slide off forward.
It is supposed to start raining pretty soon and then for the next couple of days. I sure hope not. I would love to get a couple of rides in soon.
Thanks everyone for the help with this choice. I may regret not waiting for the new one with the cutout, but I just couldn't wait!
I have to say it is pretty comfortable right out of the box. I do slip some. Does that stop pretty quickly? I think I have it adjusted pretty well and the nose is up some, so I certainly do not slide off forward.
It is supposed to start raining pretty soon and then for the next couple of days. I sure hope not. I would love to get a couple of rides in soon.
Thanks everyone for the help with this choice. I may regret not waiting for the new one with the cutout, but I just couldn't wait!
The smooth slide of the leather saddle is a benefit. Enjoy it. It helps reduce friction and makes your ride a lot nicer. You are just not used to it yet after riding the synthetic saddles. You will be well advised to keep your saddle nose adjusted flat (not pointing up). Some pros actually point the nose down a little to help keep their weight on the pedals.
Rain - a little rain on top of the saddle isn't too bad. HOWEVER, when you ride in the rain, the water slings off of the tire and up onto the under-side of the saddle in great quantity. This is not good and this WILL ruin your saddle. If your saddle gets soaking wet and you ride it very far, it can get swayback just like an old horse.
the best solution is a fender. You don't need a full rear fender - just a 14" fender near the post tube is enough to keep your saddle from getting sprayed.
05-08-08, 08:17 AM
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Even with the fenders, rack, and bag the saddle was completely soaked. The leather was so flimsy that I was able to mold it back into shape with my fingers. I needed to have a cover for the saddle like you did.
Since I was a fair weather rider I wasn't prepared for heavy rain. I learned alot from you about how to ride in the nasty stuff including getting some Sealskinz socks!
Take some advice from someone who learned the hard way. If your going to ride with a Brooks saddle in the rain, have some fenders on your bike and a cover. I'll never make that mistake again.
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Last edited by Mariner Fan; 05-08-08 at 08:25 AM.
05-08-08, 09:06 AM
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I'd forgotten. We'll blame it on Cheri and the lack of fenders on her road bike, throwing road spray all over the place!
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-08-08, 09:30 AM
#32
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Thanks for everyone's advice.
Two more questions:
I almost always have a trunk bag on my bike. Should I still get a fender on the back?
I saw a saddle cover on the wall.bike site, but it said that it would slip off of a B17 if you tried to ride with it. What other saddle covers are available?
Two more questions:
I almost always have a trunk bag on my bike. Should I still get a fender on the back?
I saw a saddle cover on the wall.bike site, but it said that it would slip off of a B17 if you tried to ride with it. What other saddle covers are available?
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Mark
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05-08-08, 11:24 AM
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Thanks for everyone's advice.
Two more questions:
I almost always have a trunk bag on my bike. Should I still get a fender on the back?
I saw a saddle cover on the wall.bike site, but it said that it would slip off of a B17 if you tried to ride with it. What other saddle covers are available?
Two more questions:
I almost always have a trunk bag on my bike. Should I still get a fender on the back?
I saw a saddle cover on the wall.bike site, but it said that it would slip off of a B17 if you tried to ride with it. What other saddle covers are available?
If you're gonna be riding in the rain, fenders are useful for much more than protecting your saddle, or your back from a skunk stripe...they also keep the spray from coming up into your face, and most importantly, minimize the road slop getting into your bike's components.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-08-08, 11:45 AM
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Don't know if you remember Chip. I had fenders on my bike.
Even with the fenders, rack, and bag the saddle was completely soaked. The leather was so flimsy that I was able to mold it back into shape with my fingers. I needed to have a cover for the saddle like you did.
Since I was a fair weather rider I wasn't prepared for heavy rain. I learned alot from you about how to ride in the nasty stuff including getting some Sealskinz socks!
Take some advice from someone who learned the hard way. If your going to ride with a Brooks saddle in the rain, have some fenders on your bike and a cover. I'll never make that mistake again.
Even with the fenders, rack, and bag the saddle was completely soaked. The leather was so flimsy that I was able to mold it back into shape with my fingers. I needed to have a cover for the saddle like you did.
Since I was a fair weather rider I wasn't prepared for heavy rain. I learned alot from you about how to ride in the nasty stuff including getting some Sealskinz socks!
Take some advice from someone who learned the hard way. If your going to ride with a Brooks saddle in the rain, have some fenders on your bike and a cover. I'll never make that mistake again.
My nasty old Fujita "Belt" was just as ugly post ride as it was pre... so no problem there.
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05-08-08, 11:52 AM
#36
Prefers Cicero
Thanks for everyone's advice.
Two more questions:
I almost always have a trunk bag on my bike. Should I still get a fender on the back?
I saw a saddle cover on the wall.bike site, but it said that it would slip off of a B17 if you tried to ride with it. What other saddle covers are available?
Two more questions:
I almost always have a trunk bag on my bike. Should I still get a fender on the back?
I saw a saddle cover on the wall.bike site, but it said that it would slip off of a B17 if you tried to ride with it. What other saddle covers are available?
A trunk bag probably blocks only part of the spray, so fenders are still a good idea.
You could put the seat cover on the saddle if you are going to park it for any length of time in the rain, but when you are riding, your body is the seat cover.
05-08-08, 11:57 AM
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Only for a short while, as Mariner Fan and others, including me, have learned the hard way. Once that water starts running down your back and your shorts start getting wet, so does the saddle. If you are going to ride in a steady rain for any length of time, cover that Brooks with something more than your okole.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-08-08, 04:28 PM
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Thanks for everyone's advice.
Two more questions:
I almost always have a trunk bag on my bike. Should I still get a fender on the back?
I saw a saddle cover on the wall.bike site, but it said that it would slip off of a B17 if you tried to ride with it. What other saddle covers are available?
Two more questions:
I almost always have a trunk bag on my bike. Should I still get a fender on the back?
I saw a saddle cover on the wall.bike site, but it said that it would slip off of a B17 if you tried to ride with it. What other saddle covers are available?
To answer your other question "yes" a trunk bag will keep the rain from splashing onto the underside of your seat. One of my tricks is to put an old newspaper or magazine on my rear carrier when it rains (if I am riding a bike without fenders). It works.
05-08-08, 06:15 PM
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Mike,
Putting a cover over a Brooks in the rain is only way to go. Of course you take it off when the weather is dry.
Listen to Chip. He rides in all kind of weather and has the gear to do it well.
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05-08-08, 07:38 PM
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I do have a nice butt, don't I?
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
