Originally Posted by
Metric Man
Interesting...and I'm pretty handy with a blade and a Dremel.
Originally Posted by
NOS88
If you go this route you need to be more than "pretty good". I attempted such a retrofix on a Brooks Team Pro, and it's not as simple or easy as it looks.
Originally Posted by
Tom Bombadil
Indeed, because that "upgrade" service is not simply a cut out, they also laminate another layer of leather under the Brooks' leather. They use one of two different thicknesses of leather, depending upon the weight of the rider.
MM: The upgrade is really worth paying the 50 bucks. There is the fact that they add the laminate as Mr. Bombadil states, but also MCM has a patent on the shape of the slot (yes they actually patented the slot - go figure - try googling Patent 7,341,308). Plus you don't have to worry about how handy you are (I don't think that a dremel would be the best tool for the job anyway - likely to tear and burn the leather).
I've said it in other threads on this subject: for me, the B-17 was like trying to ride on a baseball bat. I tried a B-17N Imperial which was an improvement but not as comfortable as my original Selle Anatomica. So I sent the B-17 to get the surgery, and added the laces when I got it back:
I don't remember exactly how long the turn around was, but less than two weeks from my post office to getting it back.
I've ridden it almost 750 miles including a metric, and an imperial century and several shorter rides in the 40 - 50 mile range.