Originally Posted by
Davet
Turn the nut so it begins to tension the leather, then 1/4 turn more. Done. Unless the saddle gets really wet, tensioning is done only a couple times a year and then only a partial turn. Never a lot a once.
this is correct except for one thing, after the saddle is broken in you shouldn't have to retension it except maybe once every 5 years depending on the saddle and the rider weight, but you can tell if the bolt becomes lose when it's time. I have a Brooks B17 Ti and I haven't touched the adjustment in about 6 years but I only weigh 164 and the B17 uses thicker leather than my Swift Ti does, but even the Swift I only adjust it about every 3 to 4 years.
The only reason besides weight and leather thickness why a person should have to adjust a Brooks more often is if the saddle is being treated with oil which essentially the saddle is becoming ruined over time. And never adjust the saddle if it's wet.