How much break in on a Brooks before a tour?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
How much break in on a Brooks before a tour?
I'm leaving on a 11 tour in Oregon in less than 2 weeks and have a saddle issue. For some reason the Terry Fly on my touring bike is suddenly feeling hard and I'm getting numbness on even short rides. I never had the problem in the past and haven't adjusted anything in a several years. 2 years ago I did 2 week long tours and had absolutely no issue with it. Maybe the padding has worn out.
Anyway I have a Brooks B17N that I bought last fall and use on another bike. It has about 200 miles on it but doesn't have the usual sagged broken in look yet. In fact other than a little more flex and some fine wrinkles in the leather surface, it looks like it did out of the box.
Would I be crazy to use the Brooks on the tour this soon? It has felt generally comfortable to me since new but I haven't logged much more than 30 miles in one ride and not ridden it for consecutive days.
A long ride on it before I leave would certainly help but I don't know if I'll have that opportunity. Any experiences from Brooks owners who have toured on it early would be appreciated.
Anyway I have a Brooks B17N that I bought last fall and use on another bike. It has about 200 miles on it but doesn't have the usual sagged broken in look yet. In fact other than a little more flex and some fine wrinkles in the leather surface, it looks like it did out of the box.
Would I be crazy to use the Brooks on the tour this soon? It has felt generally comfortable to me since new but I haven't logged much more than 30 miles in one ride and not ridden it for consecutive days.
A long ride on it before I leave would certainly help but I don't know if I'll have that opportunity. Any experiences from Brooks owners who have toured on it early would be appreciated.
__________________
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
#2
ah.... sure.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Whidbey Island WA
Posts: 4,107
Bikes: Specialized.... schwinn..... enough to fill my needs..
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Until a saddle fits you or is broken in..... I would not take any saddle regardless of brand on tour. It's your ass so to speak.
#3
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,115
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I found my regular brooks was pretty comfortable the first time I used it. By then the sit bone positions were discernable, and I put pressure on them with a golf ball, gently pressed down with a few gentle taps from a mallet. Then I took off on a 1000+ tour.
The issue is whether the leather is a good fit, if you don't have adeqate pressure from your body parts it can take agonizingly long to get the fit. This is why shoes are stretched with tools. You wouldn't hammer a nail with your toes and it is also painful to try to stretch out a shoe or seat with similarly fragile body parts. The thing with the golf ball trick is not to overdo it. Underdo it to start with, and work up rather than going crazy on the seat the first time out.
The tour I am speaking of more or less started from my home, and I didn't care if I was forced back to home base and had to start again. It would have been unwise to try that starting on the far side of the country or world...
The issue is whether the leather is a good fit, if you don't have adeqate pressure from your body parts it can take agonizingly long to get the fit. This is why shoes are stretched with tools. You wouldn't hammer a nail with your toes and it is also painful to try to stretch out a shoe or seat with similarly fragile body parts. The thing with the golf ball trick is not to overdo it. Underdo it to start with, and work up rather than going crazy on the seat the first time out.
The tour I am speaking of more or less started from my home, and I didn't care if I was forced back to home base and had to start again. It would have been unwise to try that starting on the far side of the country or world...
#4
Senior Member
i really don't think you will have a problem ,if you reckon the padding did you say in your shorts are worn if so get a new pair of top quality shorts combined with the brooks you should be nice and comfy.
best of luck with the tour.
best of luck with the tour.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Montreal
Posts: 194
Bikes: Surly LHT and Opus Urbano
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's quite a dilemma that you have there. I don't know that you really could fix your problem with the B17 narrow: how is it going to feel softer than the Terry?
One hope though: did you start to use new bicycle shorts? That could be one explanation. Another one is that the chamois in your present bicycle shorts is loosing effectiveness. What you describe might happen also if you gained weight or got out of shape or simply did not ride as much as usual lately. Does any of these possibilities apply to your situation?
One hope though: did you start to use new bicycle shorts? That could be one explanation. Another one is that the chamois in your present bicycle shorts is loosing effectiveness. What you describe might happen also if you gained weight or got out of shape or simply did not ride as much as usual lately. Does any of these possibilities apply to your situation?
#6
Full Member
Personally, the only issue I find with new Brooks saddles is that I tend to slide around a lot at first, but it isn't a big deal. I feel pretty comfortable on mine early on, and I don't notice much change subsequently.
#7
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Brooks told me that the B17N may require up to 1000 miles to break in. I was still miserable after 400 miles and the vision of another 600 miles made me nauseous so I sold the saddle. Standard B17 may need half of that but I wasn't willing to experiment any further.
#8
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,115
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Without knowing Adam's situation specifically, that is exactly analogous to what happens in a shoe store every day. Get a customer who gets a near enough shoe that fits tight across the ball of the foot vs. the toes, and the toes are never going to stretch out a heavy box, while the ball of the foot might get the job done without any pain if the shoe was worn for several short walks. In either case, going mechanical on the problem with a shoe stretching machine should eliminate the problem pretty quickly. It's like if you try to build a deck with a nail file, vs a circular saw, your mileage to success will vary. Some people are just going to have a relationship to a leather saddle where their bones, weight, and position relative to structure in the saddle will create different break-in times. Using something less fragile than the butt to get the job done will pay off if you have the skill to do it.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How exactly do you think Brooks' saddles 'break in'??
(hint: by riding them on things like 11-day tours.)
If you want to work on the saddle form while you are riding, take a barely-damp washcloth and set it on the rear 2/3rd's of the saddle for ~5-10 mins before riding the first few days. The slight amount of dampness will help the saddle conform to your sitbones in the first few days, but will not make it so wet that it sags... the rest of the tour just ride it.
By the way, it should be pretty-durn comfortable from day 1. if its not, the adjustment is off, or it might not be the saddle for your keister.
(hint: by riding them on things like 11-day tours.)
If you want to work on the saddle form while you are riding, take a barely-damp washcloth and set it on the rear 2/3rd's of the saddle for ~5-10 mins before riding the first few days. The slight amount of dampness will help the saddle conform to your sitbones in the first few days, but will not make it so wet that it sags... the rest of the tour just ride it.
By the way, it should be pretty-durn comfortable from day 1. if its not, the adjustment is off, or it might not be the saddle for your keister.
#10
Infamous Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Two weeks is plenty of time to get the saddle properly adjusted and to determine whether it is acceptable to plant your ass in for x hours a day. Best way to break in a Brooks...besides proper position, is by miles and butt sweat...you can get a lot of miles and butt sweating in over two weeks too.
__________________
"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
#11
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
You're asking me? I'd take the Brooks. Nothing beats a brand new Brooks.
Anyone who wants to trade a new Brooks, either B17 or Flyer, for a broken in one: contact me.
Anyone who wants to trade a new Brooks, either B17 or Flyer, for a broken in one: contact me.
#12
Banned.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Uncertain
Posts: 8,651
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Two weeks is plenty of time to get the saddle properly adjusted and to determine whether it is acceptable to plant your ass in for x hours a day. Best way to break in a Brooks...besides proper position, is by miles and butt sweat...you can get a lot of miles and butt sweating in over two weeks too.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Neither here nor there
Posts: 126
Bikes: Balthorium G
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you were just going down to the local campground for a trial run, I'd say "Go for the Brooks". You can always take a bus home.
If you are going to put a few mountain passes between yourself and home, I think I'd reconsider breaking in the new saddle on the road.
I have a Brooks somewhere in my garage (along with some other Brand X units). It never did "Break In" to where it was comfortable. Thousands of kms later it was still and anvil. Of course that can happen with any saddle.
Like the man said"It's your ass".
If you are going to put a few mountain passes between yourself and home, I think I'd reconsider breaking in the new saddle on the road.
I have a Brooks somewhere in my garage (along with some other Brand X units). It never did "Break In" to where it was comfortable. Thousands of kms later it was still and anvil. Of course that can happen with any saddle.
Like the man said"It's your ass".
#14
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Perhaps I should have gone with the regular B17 not the narrow, or altogether a different one, but I was less than two weeks from my first tour and I didn't want to try another Brooks. I may still try another model in the future. I picked the B17N because it was the cheapest and lots of people reported good result with it. Perhaps that was a mistake. It was my perineum that suffered so it seems now that maybe it was too narrow, didn't engage my sit-bones properly? But I think if it had a cutout it'd be better since I'm pretty sure I was sitting on my sit-bones. My current saddle isn't any wider.
I was considering taking a "known good" saddle along if I decided to go with the Brooks. Just in case.
I did 400 miles, including two weekend overnighters, some dayrides and a few weeks worth of commuting and I just figured it's not going to work for me.
If you were just going down to the local campground for a trial run, I'd say "Go for the Brooks". You can always take a bus home.
If you are going to put a few mountain passes between yourself and home, I think I'd reconsider breaking in the new saddle on the road.
I have a Brooks somewhere in my garage (along with some other Brand X units). It never did "Break In" to where it was comfortable. Thousands of kms later it was still and anvil. Of course that can happen with any saddle.
Like the man said"It's your ass".
If you are going to put a few mountain passes between yourself and home, I think I'd reconsider breaking in the new saddle on the road.
I have a Brooks somewhere in my garage (along with some other Brand X units). It never did "Break In" to where it was comfortable. Thousands of kms later it was still and anvil. Of course that can happen with any saddle.
Like the man said"It's your ass".
+1. I'm lucky with Brooks, they don't give me much of a problem from the off, but I agree with chipcom. Do plenty of riding on it in the next two weeks and by the time you're ready to go, you'll know whether you're comfortable - and you'll have another 300 or so miles on the Brooks and it'll be well on the way to being broken in.
Last edited by AdamDZ; 06-29-10 at 04:49 PM.
#15
17yrold in 64yrold body
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 922
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have used a method similar to what positron described. I fold a microfiber towel in 1/4's so it is about 12x3in. Put it where your sitbones contact the saddle, and slowly pour enough water on the contact points to dampen the towel til it is moist to the touch. Now ride until the towel dries (the moisture will soften the contact points). I have 'broken in' 4 different Brooks this way, with no ill effects. It does not make the saddle so wet that it damages the leather, only softening it enough to conform to your sit bones.
#16
Professional Fuss-Budget
I have a B17 (regular) and a B17N (narrow) on my bikes.
The B17 got reasonably comfortable after about 100 miles. The B17N however has not softened up one bit, even after about 200 miles and chopping the sides off.
FWIW I'd say that if the Terry is an older saddle, just get a new one and deal with the B17N some other time.
The B17 got reasonably comfortable after about 100 miles. The B17N however has not softened up one bit, even after about 200 miles and chopping the sides off.
FWIW I'd say that if the Terry is an older saddle, just get a new one and deal with the B17N some other time.
#17
Immoderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: POS Tennessee
Posts: 7,630
Bikes: Gary Fisher Simple City 8, Litespeed Obed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I never had to break in my Brooks, it was really comfy from the get go. If it's not causing any discomfort on long rides, I'd say it's already broken in.
__________________
Originally Posted by Bikeforums
Your rights end where another poster's feelings begin.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 239
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#19
Eater of Food
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 103
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Follis Concorde Tandem, Surly Big Dummy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Like chasm54, Chipcom, and KrisPistofferson, I've never had break in problems with a Brooks. I have 4, and I find that they start comfortable, and just get better. You'll be fine if you ride a bunch before your tour starts.
#20
Infamous Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I won't say that I've never had break in problems with any Brooks. My Team Pro and my taint have been having a love-hate relationship for years.
__________________
"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
#21
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Anacortes, WA
Posts: 34
Bikes: Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I bought a new B17 Standard and, when riding that saddle, perineum pain begins within half an hour or so. I then bought a new B17 Imperial and find it to be very comfortable with no discomfort at all so far. I hope the first will become more comfortable once I give it a cut out similar to the Imperial.
#22
Hot in China
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: China
Posts: 961
Bikes: Giant Lava
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have done almost 1400 km on my Brooks B17 Standard. It was fairly comfy when I first got it, but as my sitbone dimples have grown, it is now lovely. It does minimize the choice of riding shorts, as it can be a tad slippery, but that isnt much of a problem.
The longest I have had my arse on it so far was 5 hours, and there was a little pain after that, but less, I think, than using other saddles I have used.
Looking foward to some longer rides on it now that it is broken in.
New LHT coming soon
z
The longest I have had my arse on it so far was 5 hours, and there was a little pain after that, but less, I think, than using other saddles I have used.
Looking foward to some longer rides on it now that it is broken in.
New LHT coming soon
z
#23
Eater of Food
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 103
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Follis Concorde Tandem, Surly Big Dummy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm not sure about this, but I think that Brooks riders who are suffering from any kind of pereneum pain are simply not getting their weight on their sit bones. Your body weight should never be on your pereneum (chode, taint, call it what you like) on any saddle. A cut out in a saddle should (in my theory) be unnecessary if your weight is properly distributed via a correctly angled and oriented saddle. Remember, before you flame me: this is just my theory.
#24
Infamous Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I'm not sure about this, but I think that Brooks riders who are suffering from any kind of pereneum pain are simply not getting their weight on their sit bones. Your body weight should never be on your pereneum (chode, taint, call it what you like) on any saddle. A cut out in a saddle should (in my theory) be unnecessary if your weight is properly distributed via a correctly angled and oriented saddle. Remember, before you flame me: this is just my theory.
My own taint issues with my team pro come from chaffing, usually when it's very humid and I am riding hard, but not wearing cycling bibs or shorts. I can ride all day without cycling specific bibs/shorts (with chamois) on a B17...not so much on a team pro.
__________________
"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
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 458
Bikes: LHT + FreeRadical
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm not sure about this, but I think that Brooks riders who are suffering from any kind of pereneum pain are simply not getting their weight on their sit bones. Your body weight should never be on your pereneum (chode, taint, call it what you like) on any saddle. A cut out in a saddle should (in my theory) be unnecessary if your weight is properly distributed via a correctly angled and oriented saddle. Remember, before you flame me: this is just my theory.