Hi Everyone,

I'm a lover of Brooks Saddles. I like them when they are super stiff. Dimples are fine, but once/if the leather gets soft, they're not comfortable for me anymore. I've been buying team pros lately because they seem to be the stiffest, but the last team pro I got softened up < 250 mi, which makes me sad. I didn't even proofhide it.

I was looking at one of those Gyes/VO/Cardiff/Origin8/etc leather saddles, and they seem really really stiff. Is there anyone else like me who has had good experience with other tensioned leather saddles and can advise?

And finally, a last question. I've got an old brooks conquest which has finally given up the ghost and is soft. Can I buy a team pro and swap the frames? I remember at some point a few years back someone was offering a service like this in this forum...

Thanks!

You want to talk to rhm - I have a saddle he made and it's STIFF as heck - thicker than a pro for sure.

The only other suspension saddle I've done well with is Berthoud - and they are a bit thicker than Brooks.

What did you expect, Aaron? RHM stands for rock hard material, after all. Or recycled, hand made. Or my initials. These things are open to interpretation.

int19, I can put a new piece of leather on your Conquest and it'll be as stiff as you like it.* Please contact me by private message if you're interested.



*please, gentlemen, no twss jokes!

int19, how do your saddles get soft so fast? Do you let them get wet, or do you put oil on them?

I'm generally pretty nice to my saddles. I try to only proofhide them once a year, but some years I forget. I try to keep them from getting wet with a cover when I ride in the rain. I guess it's mostly that I'm fat and I ride alot : )

Here's a sample size of two. I rode a Cardiff Cornwall (B-17 clone) for about 2500 miles, and it never softened, but I only weigh 170 lbs and don't mash. It did have a rear rail weld failure, though. This appears to be a chronic problem on these saddles.

I also rode a Gyes imitation of Swallow for ~800 miles on my fixed gear. It needed re-tightening a few times to retain its shape, and the leather was thinner. It was comfortable, though. I sold it.

Cool, thanks for the info. I think I'm going to take RHM up on his offer to recover some saddles with the thickest leather he can find : ). I checked, and it does seem that the newer pro that was a softie is thinner than the other one, so that's probably why.

Here's a Rock Hard Material photo...

I've been using this saddle more lately - did three 20 mile rides on it this week - and I think I'm conforming to it. I'm not sure it will conform to me!

I prefer stiff/hard saddles too.....I think it comes from those years I spent in the school of Architecture in college where I sat on rock hard, mostly steel Mayline drafting stools all day....and most of the nights in design studios.....
.....That's why I believe those stories about former POWs sometimes initially finding it easier to sleep on cold, hard bedroom floors instead of their mattresses after they were freed....

Aaron, I have that same stamp on my rhm saddle. I think it's #31 , but I could be way off. It will conform in time.

I have a Wrights W3N that I got NOS off of eBay about a year (?) ago - another member got one too. Wrights was owned by Brooks at some point and many models are nearly identical. It's very stiff but has conformed just enough that it's so comfortable I don't even feel it. Not much prep either, just some SnoSeal on the bottom.

For some reason (OK because it looks evil cool) I got an NOS Wrights Swallow yesterday. I'll see how that treats my skinny (6'0" 175lb) butt, and within a short time one will be for sale (shameless plug).

Sweet jesus that's a nice looking saddle! Now I'm super excited.

It's very cool...RHM is, deservedly, gaining quite the rep.

Thanks for the assurances Tom - it's a great saddle, but it IS stiff. I love the stamp in the skirts...so dignified.

Yes, RHM is the man for a rock hard saddle. I have #35 , a recovered Selle Anatomica. The leather is thick. Haven't put enough miles on it for break in yet.


RHM Custom by Yo Spiff, on Flickr

^^^ That's an incredibly good looking saddle! I tried an anatomica and the leather was too soft - total hammock. A Rudi special might make it livable.

You RHM saddle owners must be a bunch of wusses complaining about the hardness of Rudi's master piece creations.

Where's your fortitude? Where's your willingness to throw back to the 1960s when men were men and their rumps were made of steel, and not some sort of CF nanny boo boo powder puff stuff!

RHM #10 . Only men of steel may apply their rumps.

Thread bump for Meister Rudi-
This generous and talented individual has figured my needs out. Impressed.... rather I love it. I do ride a mix and style of bikes, some clunkers to mediocre level grade but this bike with RHM's saddle is my go-to for distance. This ride just begs me to push for more. I sneak my miles in whenever possible but 60,80, 100 milers are comfort like a 20 miler. It may be the combination of frame and tire selection (tubular / clincher) but this saddle has positively surpassed my expectations.




Now to the thread issue:
My latest dilemma is figuring out a woman specific saddle for our vintage Santana tandem. A test of patience and understanding, but its not a good day with a whiney stoker. Disregarding the looks of modern saddles on a classic, I've had her try any number of saddles but the magic hasn't happened. I hope not to part with the bike and I can't stand to see this machine idle. Even though its dressed with the best of vintage and beautiful, this particular Santana is for riders.