bbentley

always ride with a saddle cover on your Brooks? I've heard so much about how comfortable the saddles are... and how easy they can be ruined if you get them too wet (would that include sweat?).

I was thinking about trying the B-17 with an Aardvark cover.

something like: https://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/my...r-an-aardvark/

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

FlashBazbo

I have never used a saddle cover on a Brooks, including riding in some incredible deluges -- I was 30 miles from home when this year's Nashville flood hit me and I rode all the way home. Other times, I have ridden centuries on my Brooks in near-100* temperatures. I have never seen a Brooks ruined or even damaged by rain or sweat.

A cover would eliminate a major benefit of a Brooks -- it breathes and dissipates sweat.

BetweenRides

Saddle Covers are for bike transporting, not for riding. I've never used one while riding. Getting a saddle wet doesn't hurt it at all as long as it doesn't stay wet constantly. Occasional application of Proofide or other leather treatment will take care of the leather for the times it does get wet.

rogerstg

I simply stuff a plastic grocery bag up under the saddle and use it if I'm riding in torrential downpours or if I leave the bike outside overnight or in the rain.

Guillotine007

I was thrown for a loop. I thought the thread was going to go like this:

"Hey Brooks Saddle riders....do you have any problems collecting your social security checks" OR "does going to early bird specials at the local Old Country Buffet get in the way of your riding times?"

/flamesuit donned

nancyj

If I had to park in otuside in the rain I would throw a shower cap on it otherwise - no - and I always took my bike inside with me whenever possible.

catonec 

I thought everyone here was a semi serious bike rider who loves and worships the $3000 beast that zipps over the land like a rocketship. leave it outside???in the rain??? plastic shopping bag???

ptle

I don't own a Brooks, but know a few people that do. The only time they use a cover (which was usually a grocery bag) was when it was raining or suppose to rain.

StephenH

I sweat a lot, so I've just kept a cover on mine full-time since it got hot. Otherwise, it would get completely and thoroughly soaked on every ride.

I noticed the first few months the shape changed a bit to get more comfortable, but then it started sagging beyond that point, so time to keep it reasonably dry.

On the last brevet, rain was in the forecast, and at least one tandem had rain covers on its seats as well.

"I thought everyone here was a semi serious bike rider who loves and worships the $3000 beast that zipps over the land like a rocketship. leave it outside???in the rain??? plastic shopping bag???"
Brooks saddles are not uncommon on utility bikes, on randonneuring bikes, on touring bikes, etc. My Raleigh Sojourn came with a Brooks saddle, and it's not a $3,000 bike.

"Hey Brooks Saddle riders....do you have any problems collecting your social security checks" OR "does going to early bird specials at the local Old Country Buffet get in the way of your riding times?"- As best I can tell, Brooks saddles appeal to a fair range of ages. They may not be common on racing bikes specifically, but then again, not many riders of road bikes are actually into racing, either. But seems like I've seen a fair number on fixed-gear bikes, for example.

chasm54

This.