Hi all, I bought a Raleigh Century in a junk store because it had a Brooks B72 saddle in good condition. Question: if the saddle has been ridden and already started to conform to someone else's butt, what are the prospects for it to adapt to mine? Also, I took it to the LBS and the owner advised against putting any treament on it to weatherproof it or preserve it or anything...do you have any comments?
Thanks
Robert

Yeah,
Slap some Proffide on, it needs some Proofide every couple years.
You shouldn't have any problems if it's in good shape. If you don't have fenders and ride in the rain, proofide the bottom. My only concern is the owner's comments. The leather should be somewhat stiff. Is it soft?

If the leather is really dried out you may have a prolbem. I agree that Brooks Proofhide , usually sold in a small tin can, should reinvigorate the saddle. I disagree that the saddle would have conformed to the previous owner's rear end that much. All depends on the condition of the leather.

Dry can be repaired---cracked can't.A saddle that has been taken care of last a long time---one left out to decay will not---so really depends on what you got .

It looks to be in good shape but the seat post is too short so I don't yet have a good sense of what it will fit like. It looks like it has some very shallow ischial depressions but it's not too obviously deformed. Today I went to a couple of stores but I wasn't able to buy a straight replacement post that works with the seatpost clamp. The bike store measured the seat tube opening at 25.8, and they only had a 25.4 post and the built in clamp didn't work with the double seat rails.
I also want to find our more about the Raleigh Century, but I guess it's way too new for this forum.
Thanks
Robert

I think there is a good chance that the saddle will feel nice straight away. It will probably be more comfortable than a new saddle.

I have seen leather saddles re-form to the buttocks of the new owner.

You can feel good about your purchase.

When I got a used Brooks (and I mean USED) it took about 1 mile for it to conform to my butt. Just ride it. You will love it.

Thanks, all.
R