stien

Well I got a Brooks Professional on a flipper and it's clearly not going with it.




While it would look pretty good on a celeste Bianchi, I'm not too certain it would be so comfortable. I'm pretty happy with a more modern saddle on there, but would love a Turbo to complete the look. Whhaddaya think C&V? Move the modern saddle to the winter beast and Brooks up the Bianchi? Trade the Brooks for a Turbo? Or just hawk it like everything else I own?

toytech

A seat only belongs on a bike if it fits your a.. if you don't like the feel flip that sucka and buy a pair of used turbo's

unterhausen

that looks like a great saddle. I'd proofhide it and go

stien

I'll have to try it out, never really ridden a brooks very far before.

XR2

Hell I'm broke and in need of a decent saddle. Whadaya want fer it?

CMC SanDiego

I bought an old Brooks for a song and a dance a couple of years ago, now I've got 6 of them on just about every bike I own. I've got two B15s, two B17s, a Professional, and a sprung B67. Beware, once you try it you may be hooked.

cyclotoine

That one looks pretty concave. I feel like I can "feel" the cantle through the leather just looking at it. Don't be put off brooks if you don't like it. Just my experience I like them fresh and flat across the top.

rhm

Looks fine to me. I'd ride it a while, then decide. I've bought better ones for $25 on ebay. But I've also bought worse ones for $50 on ebay.

shrinkboy

i'd say give it a good try-- i bought a bike once because it had a copper Brooks Pro on it, because I knew the saddle alone was almost worth the cost of the bike. to me, the saddle is one of the most comfortable i've ever been on-- could truly be on it all day. and i still have it hooked to the Dawes Echelon...

cudak888 

What's wrong with it? I have a nearly NOS '73 that has about the same contour to it. True, the large rivet variants look slightly different from the small-rivet; it's an optical illusion.

-Kurt

Wanderer

Yep, I'd treat it heavily with Proofhide, adjust if necessary, and ride it happily.... Looks to be in real good shape.

rhm

I'm not sure about the proofide. If it's dry and uncomfortable, and/or you fear it might crack, then proofide is indicated. But judging by the photos, it may already be soft; in which case you need little (or no!) proofide.

Wanderer

Proofhide is more of a protectant than anything, resembling a wax or polish - Proofhide will not harm a Brooks saddle.

rhm

You may be right, but the last two new Brookses I bought, I applied proofide to the underside as instructed somewhere on this forum, and (perhaps as a result) they got much too soft. I had to retire the B17 on my commuter bike after a half year (1500 miles?). The Flyer on my tandem lasted longer in time, but about the same in miles. I never rode either one wet. Now, needless to say, I don't know whether they were junk from the start, or if they were good saddles that I ruined with proofide, but they're way too soft now, and the experience has made me pretty leery of too much proofide.

stien

Alright well I took it for a spin around the block with good results. It's not soft at all, pretty hard actually but I'm used to that. I wear cycling shorts so I really don't care, but should I proofhide it then?

rhm

Oh, sure, if it's good and hard, go for it. Rub some proofide in the top, then polish it up. Good score! A used Brooks Pro is IMHO the best saddle there is.

Wanderer

Heck, Brooks guarantees them longer than that - you should send them back.

I've had my Brooks since 2008, and ride about a thousand miles a month APR thru DEC, and mine is still VERY stiff, but broken in to me nicely.

I followed Brooks recommendations to the letter - heavy coat underneath, leave it alone - and coat annually on top, buff when dry.

I hear horror stories about people using other stuff ---- not for me!!!

Never a problem