My new brooks saddle is really loose
 

I searched the forums for my specific problem but couldn't really find anything. I got my saddle about 2 weeks ago and at first it was very comfortable. But in the past week or so it has sagged so much that my butt is pretty much on the back rail. I sweat a lot and it got wet a few times so I'm thinking this may be it. I'm also 220lbs so that may also be part of the reason it sagged so much so quickly. I proffhided it a couple times and everything. This is really frustrating as this is the 4th seat I've used on my bike and I'm really wanting it to work. Did I ruin it by riding it wet or something? Thanks for the info.

If properly treated with "Proofide" it shouldn't be soaking up any moisture. Leather will stretch if it gets wet enough so maybe that's the problem.

Brook's saddles have a two year guarantee so you may be able to get it replaced. The "Professional" is reputed to have the stiffest leather.

My Brooks have been ridden in torrential downpours and on long hot sweaty rides and have not sagged significantly. You may, for whatever reason, need to tighten the adjusting screw in the nose of the saddle. Brooks makes a special wrench for this adjustment that is intended to take out sag. It's unusual to need to do this after only 2 weeks, but it sounds like it's worth a try. Just don't get too ambitious about it or you can ruin the saddle.

I have 4 Brooks, the oldest one, a Profesional, is now more than 30 years. I still using it on my new folding bike. Never have such problem nor have to adjust the tensioning screw. I weigh 73 kg (160 lbs) and use them in the tropic in the rain some times.

What model is yours? The cheaper models use thiner leather. Or maybe they don't make them like they used to!

I have the B17 right now. Maybe I'll get a professional now. I just put on my koobi for the time being until I can get a new saddle. It did strike me as odd that the leather got so soft so quick. I guess when breaking in the new one I'll keep 2 seats and just ride the brooks 10 miles a day or less untill it is broken in. I bike at least 20 miles a day usually just commuting so I may have just tried to do too much too soon. I did tension it up some once it was nice and dry but that didn't seem to help it out too much. I'll see what the company I bought it from says about what I can do. Thanks for the info.

Rivendell sells a rain cover for Brooks saddles. Also while Proofide is great to use, too much can create a problem by over softening the leather. You should only use a small dab and rub in real well, after that you shouldn't have to reapply it again for a year. I have also used a neutral shoe polish wax to seal the leather. I do use the seat cover though if I'm going to ride with the possiblity of being rained on.

One thing to remember about Brooks saddles: if you use any other leather treatment other then Proofide your warranty will be voided-this does not apply to wax.

I weigh 210 and have had not problems with my numerous Brooks saddles, 1 B17 and 3 Team Pros, one "Pre-Softened". Although they have gotten pretty wet, I have been fanatical about Proofiding so the leather itself has nevers soaked up any water that I could tell.

Froze, what is your basis for the statement that excess Proofide can over soften the leather. In my experience, contrary to popular belief, Proofide does not soften the saddle at all, nor is it designed to do so. I go through an extensive Proofide regimen when my saddles are new. Applying repeated applications with very gentle heat to soften the Proofide and encourge absorption. I repeat this every few months. I will admit that I have only been riding these saddles for 3 years, but so far they are still so hard the Team Pros feel and sound like wooden boards when I knock on them. I have noticed that the B17 is not as hard as the Team Pros but still quite firm.

Those of you new to Brooks saddles, you DO NOT want to soften the leather in any way. Softening the leather will cause it to loose its shape and eventually lead to failure. Many Brooks users will tell you that "breaking in" a Brooks saddle has less to do with the saddle than with "breaking in" your butt to be comfortable on the saddle.

Sounds like the saddle got soaked through and then stretched by 220lb! I know of a lady cyclist who made a B17 into a perfect saddle by leaving it in a sink of water overnight with a brick on top. The wet leather stretched into a shape that was kind to her ... undercarriage.

I've had a couple of B17s and a B67 and have never had anything except comfortable miles...after the first 100 or so. Proofide three or four times a year.

I have only owned a Brooks (the Swift) for about 2 years myself. I got my information (not the saddle) from Rivendell about the Proofide. Here's part of what they said, most of it I got from their Rivendell Reader they mail out about 2 years ago just before I bought my saddle. Anyway read this: http://rivendellbicycles.com/webalog...ies/11055.html

I had a Brooks saddle about 30 years ago and that thing I never treated with anything and it was fine; and I lived in a moist climate at the time in Santa Barbara CA along the Pacific Coast where it was foggy almost every morning when I did most of my riding.

The reader also said NOT TO USE even Proofide while breaking it in!! They thought the leather saddle broke in better if it was done naturally. I don't know it that's true or not, but I did it anyway. It took about 500 miles for the seat to breakin, then once I knew it was broken in then I treated it with the Proofide.

Also for the poster that mentioned the water soaking...DO NOT DO THIS; this will ruin your saddle and Brooks does not recommend that either, in fact they will void your warranty if you do or use anything else other then Proofide or from what they told you do. I think Brooks has been making their saddle for over 100 years...do any of you think that possibly just possibly they know more about their leather bicycle saddles then any of you do? DISCLAIMER: you have the right to do what ever you want to your Brooks saddle...but just remember, Brooks also has the right to refuse your warranty claim.

Here are the care instructions that Brooks packages with the saddle:

"...If you follow these simple instructions your saddle will adapt itself to you and retain its support and comfort. A new saddle should be treated with Proofide to help assist the 'breaking-in' process.
Proofide helps keep the leather supple as it is specially formulated from natural ingredients to condition, preserve and showerproof your saddle. Proofide is the only substance that should be used to care for your saddle.
Apply a little Proofide to the finished side of the leather. Allow the Proofide to permeate until dry and then polish off. Proofide should be used several times during the 'breaking-in' period and every 3-6 months thereafter. (On bicycles not fitted with mudguards, an intiial application to the underside of the saddle will be beneficial, this need not be polished off).
...
You should protect your leather saddle from moisture. If a wet saddle is ridden the colour may stain your clothing. Allow wet saddles to dry naturally. Never tenion or Proofide a wet saddle.
Correct leather tension will ensure our saddle retains its shape and comfort. A special spanner is availale for this. To tension turn the nose bolt nut 90 degrees at a time, check tension. Over-tensioning a saddle will overstretch the leather fibres and may destroy their structure. Little and not very often is the key. Remember, once the end of the nose bolt is reached, the saddle can no longer be tensioned.
...
Your Brooks saddle is guaranteed for two years from the date of purchase against defects in manufacture or materials. If you believe you have a claim under this guarantee, you should retrun the saddle to the place of purchase along with your proof of purchase."

I have a Team Pro that you would have to steal off my bike if I where to part with it. I used the proof hide per instructions and have been in love ever since. One of the best tips I can give is to put one of those plastic grocery bags under the saddle between the rails and tie it over it in a rain. Then you just sit on the bag over the saddle. BTW I weigh 245 and ride an all Al frame bike and this is the best money, out side of realy good bike shorts, I have spent! :)

I only skimmed the above posts, but have you tried tensioning the saddle?

Hmm. Well, I did read the bit you link to. I certainly would never claim to know more about anything bicycle related than Rivendell, but I just don't see how Proofide could ever have such an effect. Even with the gentle warming I describe above, which included numerous applications per day for several days, my Team Pros are still rock hard. Note that I don't let the saddle get hot, just warm enough for the Proofide to soften for easier spreading.

Yes I know. I was trying to make the point that IF you get it wet then it WILL stretch like a b*st*rd. Sorry if I offended you by inadvertently hinting that Brooks might not be omniscient.

I am a long term Brooks user, though I can't match 30 years. A recently bought steel railed B17 seemed to be softer leather than my other, 18 year old, saddle and it has sagged a bit (i'm about 170lbs). Even more recently I have put a titanium railed B17 on my new bike and done about 2500 miles on it. This saddle is pretty stiff leather and has kept its shape totally, it is nevertheless very comfortable.

In my experience, neither sweat nor proofhide makes much difference to Brooks saddle softness.

I'm wondering if this is defective leather that is not breaking in but breaking down.
Now I'm a pretty devout Brooks advocate, but I have heard of some problems with
Brooks, and if memory serves the B17 in particular.
I've never had a problem with sweat, nor proofide. What I do know is a problem is
if you ride it in the rain,and the UNDERSIDE gets wet from spray/rooster tail. Wet leather
will stretch and sag. I don't think tensioning will fix a stretched out saddle like this. . .
be interesting to hear what Brooks says.
Who did you buy it from?

Marty