Originally Posted by Eggplant Jeff
Proofide seems to do nothing to waterproof the saddle. Sprinkleproof maybe... but if it is out in the rain, it gets soaked through. Riding home on it this way definitely stretched it out some. I really liked the saddle when it was new and nice and supportive, but as it has sagged it has gotten less comfortable. I'll try tightening the adjustment nut some more, I've only tightened it slightly. I also think I need it pushed back farther, which means dropping some dough on a seat post with more setback.
I dunno, at this point I'm sorta inclined to try a saddle that is made of a non-water-damageable material just because it is irritating having to put a cover on all the time, having to worry about riding it when it gets soaked because I forgot the cover or it leaked, etc.
Our experiences and feeling match - also on the seatpost setback, I still haven't found a seat post 26.6mm that has more setback than the one I have now. My seatbone imprints are visible but are overlapping the rear metal support, so as soon as the saddle sags, I slide forward on it.
Fortunately I live in a place with 7" of rain annually, the majority of which comes in specific months, sometimes days. That is why getting stuck in rain is rare, but leaves one unprepared with no cover.
I'll stick with the B17 and frankly if it gets ruined due to water after a couple years, I'll replace it as $65 is not expensive for a saddle, but if I had the higher end models that cost >$100 I'd be more uptight.
Al