My Brooks is destroying my clothes
03-10-12 | 04:59 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,787
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From: Hampton Roads VA
Bikes: '07 Trek 520, '09 Gary Fisher Triton, '04 Trek 8000, '85 Trek 500, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 510, '88 Trek 660, '92 Trek 930, Trek Multitrack 700
I have a black B-17 that I have ridden for more then five years. I ride regularly in kakhi work pants or shorts and have no problems. I find that Dawn dish washing liqued is an excellent grease cutter, working well on chainring stains and even for cleaning chains. Be sure to wipe off the excess proofide.
__________________
"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
Last edited by bhchdh; 03-10-12 at 05:04 PM.
03-10-12 | 08:57 PM
#30
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 819
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From: Upstate New York
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950
I've got two Brooks black saddles, and never a stain on my khaki cotton shorts.
03-11-12 | 12:10 AM
#31
Thread Starter
In the right lane
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 8
From: Des Moines
Bikes: 1974 Huffy 3 speed
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
Most leather saddles are dyed black. Oiling the saddle will partially dissolve the dye, which will stain on your clothes. This is why cycling shorts are black. Wear light colors at your own risk! If you must wear day-glo pink shorts, put a seat cover on the saddle.
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
03-11-12 | 09:05 AM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
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From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
^This.
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
https://sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
https://sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
The Profide I have noticed a residue shortly after using it. Its a water proofing agent. I do make sure to buff out the saddle really well after allowing the Profide to settle in over night. Again this is a problem with the product being applied to the saddle not Brooks brand saddles specifically.
03-11-12 | 12:01 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,401
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03-11-12 | 01:02 PM
#35
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
only recently have bike shorts not been black, for a reason..
I dont apply Proofide so often, in fact 30 years ago I treated my
Brooks Pro by heating the saddle in the oven to the melting point ,about 100F,
of the waxes in the stuff, saddle upside down, the big dollop of melted waxes
soaked in and then It has been fine ever since..
though in a wet climate , commuting, I don't have the saddle on a bike
I leave out in the rain under a heavy plastic bag.
you might throw a plastic bag over your saddle when you put on your Khakis ..
I dont apply Proofide so often, in fact 30 years ago I treated my
Brooks Pro by heating the saddle in the oven to the melting point ,about 100F,
of the waxes in the stuff, saddle upside down, the big dollop of melted waxes
soaked in and then It has been fine ever since..
though in a wet climate , commuting, I don't have the saddle on a bike
I leave out in the rain under a heavy plastic bag.
you might throw a plastic bag over your saddle when you put on your Khakis ..
03-11-12 | 02:04 PM
#36
Thread Starter
In the right lane
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 8
From: Des Moines
Bikes: 1974 Huffy 3 speed
I was surprised by the link posted by Six Jours. The response seems to be coming from Brooks support.
Written by Janet Jones from UK 7/9/2011
I am having a problem with my B17 ladies saddle in so much as it stains my clothing. I have used the proofhide on it from time to time, but I think the black colour must come out of it as the seat of my trousers, after riding the bike for a while, turns grey.
I have had the saddle for 3 years now and do not want to change it as I have broken it in nicely, but do need a solution. Do you have one? (apart from wearing black trousers all the time!!!)
A> All leather saddles (including the ones made by our competitors) stain light clothing over time. The best solution is to use a saddle cover when wearing light trousers. This is also the reason that cycling shorts traditionally are black, btw.
I am having a problem with my B17 ladies saddle in so much as it stains my clothing. I have used the proofhide on it from time to time, but I think the black colour must come out of it as the seat of my trousers, after riding the bike for a while, turns grey.
I have had the saddle for 3 years now and do not want to change it as I have broken it in nicely, but do need a solution. Do you have one? (apart from wearing black trousers all the time!!!)
A> All leather saddles (including the ones made by our competitors) stain light clothing over time. The best solution is to use a saddle cover when wearing light trousers. This is also the reason that cycling shorts traditionally are black, btw.
03-11-12 | 08:01 PM
#37
Mirror slap survivor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Florida
Bikes: Gunnar Sport, Surly Pacer, Access MTB, Ibex Corrida, one day a Simple City
^This.
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
https://sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
Here's a little quote from Sheldon Brown"
https://sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
I own a VO saddle , an Ideale, a Fuji Belt. All pretty dark. All leather just like a Brooks.
Applying too much Proofide is probably not a good thing and I'm probably guilty of this. And it's probably part of the staining issue. Some manufacturers (like my VO saddle) recommend a thin coating of Proofide every 3 months.
I believe this may be too much.
03-12-12 | 10:53 AM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,643
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
I use Proofide sparingly, wipe off the excess before riding, wear dark jeans (when I do wear jeans), and have had no trouble with staining. Oh, and I don't start libelous threads about problems I'm worried could happen. 
It would be like starting a thread titled "Gerv keeps kicking my dog!" when in reality, he just looks warily at it when riding by. See how this works?
It would be like starting a thread titled "Gerv keeps kicking my dog!" when in reality, he just looks warily at it when riding by. See how this works?
03-12-12 | 11:07 AM
#44
Mirror slap survivor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Florida
Bikes: Gunnar Sport, Surly Pacer, Access MTB, Ibex Corrida, one day a Simple City
I've applied Proofide exactly once to my saddles, and the youngest one is 3 years old. I'll tell you my trick. When I first got the saddles, I applied a coat of Proofide top and bottom, then placed the saddle in my car for a day. A day in a car in Florida is like sitting in a barbecue smoker for a day. I think it melts the Proofide right in.
To be fair, I've never allowed my saddles to get wet, other than from butt sweat. I carry a saddle cover, and if there's a hint of rain it goes on.
To be fair, I've never allowed my saddles to get wet, other than from butt sweat. I carry a saddle cover, and if there's a hint of rain it goes on.
03-12-12 | 11:46 AM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,694
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From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Brooks themselves state that "All leather saddles stain light clothing over time." Frankly, until I came across this thread, I thought that was common knowledge. I kind of doubt Brooks would look at this discussion as defamatory.
FWIW, I have some blue and green shorts, in addition to black, and I've had zero stain problems on those from my Brooks saddles (it's the truth, your honor!).
03-12-12 | 05:56 PM
#47
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,401
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I use Brooks saddles on a regular basis. Mostly I wear black wool shorts with them. But I also have a "dedicated" pair of khaki shorts that are permanently stained by my black Brooks saddle. I suppose this will be exhibit "A" in the lawsuit. Exhibit "B" will be the Brooks website warning that Brooks saddles will stain light-colored clothing.
I would've thought fans of English bike parts would have a better grasp of English.
I would've thought fans of English bike parts would have a better grasp of English.
03-12-12 | 07:16 PM
#48
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
My experience using black Italian leather saddles for a long time, is that over time they get dirty with accumulation of dust. At least once or twice a year, I notice the leather appears dry or leaves a dirt mark when wiped with a light towel. What I do is clean it with saddle soap (Kiwi brand), following the directions on the label. The result is a clean and moisturized leather that looks newer and leaves no dirt mark. I've not used Proofide, so cannot say whether or not it is the equivalent or different from saddle soap. Would anyone who's used both products comment on a comparison of Proofide vs. saddle soap? Thanks.
03-12-12 | 08:23 PM
#49
Thread Starter
In the right lane
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 8
From: Des Moines
Bikes: 1974 Huffy 3 speed
I use Brooks saddles on a regular basis. Mostly I wear black wool shorts with them. But I also have a "dedicated" pair of khaki shorts that are permanently stained by my black Brooks saddle. I suppose this will be exhibit "A" in the lawsuit. Exhibit "B" will be the Brooks website warning that Brooks saddles will stain light-colored clothing.
I would've thought fans of English bike parts would have a better grasp of English.
I would've thought fans of English bike parts would have a better grasp of English.
Apparently, Brooks leather is quite unlike any other. You believe you have a Brooks saddle, but do you have any evidence to back up your claim? From all testimony here, your claim is doubtful. I suspect your really sitting on an Ideale or a Gyes. Other, inferior saddles claim to be made of leather, but in reality are made from other hides, probably kangaroo or somesuch. There is only one true leather saddle... and it is a Brooks.
I need to ad the mods for forgiveness taking the name of Brooks in vain.
03-13-12 | 06:39 PM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Palmer, Alaska
I use saddle soap on my leather boots, but have only used Proofide on my saddle. I did, though, wonder if the saddle soap would work. I suspect that you'll be fine. I just wasn't willing to take the risk. One product to be wary of is mink oil. I learned the danger of mink oil early on, by ruining a pair of boots with it. Mink oil will soften leather to the point that it loses all shape. Stay away from it.