Leather saddle question - Brooks Proofide absorption, Break-In
 

I have over 600 miles on my Brooks Flyer Special now and I noticed this round of Proofide application that the top side absorbed the Proofide on the sides of the wider part in the back a lot more and faster than the rest of the saddle. I know you're not supposed to put much on the top of the saddle, I just skimmed over it and let it sit over night before buffing (the manual says to lightly apply to the top, then buff when completely dry). My question is the rate of absorption - is that any sort of "indicator" that will show when the saddle is starting to get broken in? This is my first leather saddle and the more I ride it the better it gets, but I am a little surprised that at 600 miles that it isn't quite what I would call "comfortable", or maybe I am expecting something that is outside the characteristics of a leather saddle. I am still waiting for the "pressure points" to disappear - they have diminished, but still present, and not anything that kills my rides, I just am hoping they disappear completely and the saddle becomes a perfect fit.

This round of Proofide application? My Brooks saddles got one application, if that.

Your first indication that your saddle is breaking in will be two little patches where your sitbones sit that aren't as smooth as the rest of the saddle. Then gradually those two little "rough" patches will indent.


Is the nose of your saddle tilted up a little bit?

hey, thanks for this

I inverted mine (a 'Pro') and warmed it enough (oven) to melt the waxes , and it soaked it up like a sponge, then 30 years later It's fine. :thumb:

I beat my brooks with a plastic mallet to speed the leather fiber break in. Not recommended but worked fine for me.

I take my brand new Brooks saddle(s) and lay it out in the sun, once it is warm it gets a very heavy coat of Proofide on the underside and a lighter coat on the topside, set it back in the sun for a couple of hours, wipe the excess off the top and ride. I use fenders on my bikes so the underside stays well protected. I "might" give it a retreat once every 5 years or so depending on the condition of the saddle.

Aaron :)

I too am a "Brooks tallow ban" believer. Give it 100 miles or so. It'll come.

I PH mine once or twice a year...I don't think you can over do it. I had it now about ten years and I tightened it once very little because I heard bad things happened when you over tighten em. That was just last year.