Questions re lacing and hacking a Brooks
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
13 Posts
Questions re lacing and hacking a Brooks
I just started riding a Brooks Pro and, even though not broken in, I'm diggin' it. Now I'm wondering, as I always do, about mods to Brooks saddles. I did a search and found limited information. I would appreciate your experience lacing or hacking, any advice you have, as well as photos.
Many Thanks
RFC
Many Thanks
RFC
#2
BEHOLD! THE MANTICORE!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 54914
Posts: 1,796
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I recently chopped up and laced a B17, it turned out OK, but it was kind of hard to get both sides the same and get the lacing holes placed evenly
#4
BEHOLD! THE MANTICORE!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 54914
Posts: 1,796
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
just for the hell of it? It looks kind of cool and I was in need of a project on a cold February night, and I can't afford a Brooks Swift or Swallow at the moment
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,878
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1857 Post(s)
Liked 664 Times
in
506 Posts
There was a real good thread on BF about Swalllowizing a B17, but I've had trouble finding it. Within the past three months, I think.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 252
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
13 Posts
Thanks all.
I went ahead and laced the Pro. It is a remarkably simple thing to do. I marked four holes on each side, drilled them out with an electric drill, and laced it up. I used leather laces, but am relatively confident they will fail before most materials. Even so, it will be easy to lace again.
BTW, I do suggest drilling the holes just a little larger than you think you need in order to make the lacing easy.
Because of the posts above, I want to try chopping a B17.
I went ahead and laced the Pro. It is a remarkably simple thing to do. I marked four holes on each side, drilled them out with an electric drill, and laced it up. I used leather laces, but am relatively confident they will fail before most materials. Even so, it will be easy to lace again.
BTW, I do suggest drilling the holes just a little larger than you think you need in order to make the lacing easy.
Because of the posts above, I want to try chopping a B17.
Last edited by RFC; 02-26-09 at 04:40 PM.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,768
Bikes: Cinelli, Paramount, Raleigh, Carlton, Zeus, Gemniani, Frejus, Legnano, Pinarello, Falcon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
Yeah, I've "swallowized" a few B17s; I heard it was common in the 50s. I copied another one I have...
Just put another on my Sears single speed, still in process.
Just put another on my Sears single speed, still in process.
#14
like we used to say
Before:
During:
After:
I will punch it and lace it as it's a little too flexy for my liking now. Note I'm currently 200lb.
During:
After:
I will punch it and lace it as it's a little too flexy for my liking now. Note I'm currently 200lb.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Posts: 5,342
Bikes: Still have a few left!
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 467 Post(s)
Liked 532 Times
in
267 Posts
I've done a few: here are pics of one on a Zeus I renovated & gave to my son: I don't lace & there isn't a noticeable difference in feel before & after. I'm a little guy @ 150 pounds & my son is taller but only about 20-25 pounds heavier. Haven't seen any sagging yet but lacing is probably a good idea if you are a big guy. Another bonus from butchering a B17 is the two side pieces can be shaped into a nifty, small mud flap. Don
PS: this was a 4-5 year old saddle, nicely broken in.
PS: this was a 4-5 year old saddle, nicely broken in.
Last edited by ollo_ollo; 02-27-09 at 10:40 AM. Reason: add info
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,878
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1857 Post(s)
Liked 664 Times
in
506 Posts
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
13 Posts
This may be a dumb question, but could one of you hackers trace, photograph, and post the outline of the pieces you have cut from a B17? Also, what is the best tool for cutting? Any other advice is appreciated.