The_Mickstar

I see in the other posts that there are those of you that have been modifying your leather saddles. Where can I find info on how, exactly this is done? Has anyone that's done it taken pics along the way?

Thanks.

Steve

goodall

This article should do the trick:

https://fixedgeargallery.com/articles/brooks.htm

roadfix

The only diff is I now use a dremel tool with a small cut-off disc....It makes it much easier to cut contoured shapes... I have not used a makita grinder since that B17 chop job.
A few forums member here have used exacto knives instead. They do the job as well.

merlinextraligh

I don't get this. Presumably the purpose of butchering it is to make it lighter, but if you're riding a brooks seat in the first place, you can't be that concerned about weight. Why take an attractive, comfortable 500 gram saddle, and turn it into a less attractive, potentially less comfrotable 400 gram saddle?

Hawkegirl

I also used the dremmel and found it worked well. I could not find my sciving tool for the edges afterwards, but I used my finger nail and that worked just fine.

I love it, and am about to do it to another one.

roadfix

Hmm.....good question...

bmike

You could just buy the Swallow, at 366 grams.

I didn't really look too hard at how much it weighed. I considered chopping a Pro, to change the look, and to make it a bit more suitable with the bars below the saddle. I ended up getting the Swallow - because I liked the shape and think it comfortable so far. (just mounted it yesterday...)

***Butch***

People chop them primarily for looks, not weight.

Markio

Whats the deal with brook saddles anyway?

bmike

Comfort. Durability. Aesthetics.

The_Mickstar

OK. I'm interested in trying out a Brooks for the comfort factor. (Yes, I've read about the break-in period, etc.) And, I'd love to get the "sportier" look that these butcher jobs provide. (No, I can't/won't pay for a Swallow.) However, being a clydesdale (although a light one at 205lb), I have a few concerns...

1. Is it better to trim these saddles after they're broken-in and the leather is stretched more closely to it's final shape?

2. Does trimming the skirts lessen the effectiveness of the tightening nut on the nose of the saddle?

3. Are you guys adding any support (binding, etc) to the underside of the saddle?

4. Do the trimmed saddles still feel, perform, last like an untrimmed saddle?

Thanks.

Steve

Michigan

Here's some pics of my butchered B17N if it helps. I cut it with an exacto then rounded the edges over with a rough file. To answer your questions; 1- I'm guessing it doesn't make any difference, 2- There's slightly less leather to stretch, so I guess the nut must work better, 3- I'm 170 and don't need the underside flap you see on the swallow. I don't notice it sagging at all. If I was 200 I'd put the flap in. There's enough leather on the B17 to do that, 4-I only put a couple hours on it while it was untrimmed, but it feels the same.

The_Mickstar

Excellent idea to use a flap as support (as opposed to lacing). That'll provide a much sleeker look, and probably be a bit easier to accomplish and make it look good.

Just out of curiosity... How difficult is it to perform such a job with an Exacto knife? That leather looks pretty darn think. Seems like an Exacto would have a tough time getting through it.


Steve

Michigan

I first went at it with a dremel and the small abrasive wheel that'll cut through just about anything, but it scorched the leather. So I took an exacto with a #11 blade and found it cut very easily and I had more control. Make a series of shallow cuts. If you make a flap, I think you'll have to score a line about halfway through on the underside of the leather so it bends sharp enough that its not too visible when the saddle is mounted.

The_Mickstar

Thanks, again. I may have to give this a try. Now, I just need to figure out which Brooks will fit me best.

Steve

bmike

Check the Singlespeed Forum... I seem to remember a post by someone who flapped a saddle - didn't score it though... something about a small block of wood and moistening the area to help the folding process... I could be mistaken.

bmike

Thats a nice looking saddle.

Serpico

are the rails "higher" on a B17 than a swallow? swallow is too narrow for me, but I don't like the skirts on the B17--but sometimes when people butcher B17 they look really high up on the rails.

bmike

I was concerned about this coming from the Team Pro, as I had my saddle height just right.
When I mounted the Swallow and checked everything, the two appear to have the same height off the rails. The Swallow's rails are much longer than the Pro, allowing for more adjustment for / aft.

I'm not sure how it compares to the B17.

biker7

I have tried a few different Brooks as well as many plastic saddles. I will likely ride a Brooks the rest of my life. If you are a big guy, I say try the B-17. The good thing about Brooks is they come in different configs...and widths in particular. No narrow saddle works for me. I currently have a B.17 and B.17 Champion Special which are both great saddles...kind of like a slightly wider Team Pro which is too narrrow for me...can ride one but just not as comfortable as the B.17. The Swallow is even narrower or better for more narrow hipped riders who run a fair measure of forward pelvis tilt.
Also, Brooks as with other saddles are very sensitive to tilt in terms of perineal pressure so be sure to have a good adjustable seat post. As to modifying...I am an inveterant modifier but have resisted because I believe all models of Brooks have evolved to their current config for a reason but applaud the creativity of guys on the forum who like to mod them. I did remove the bag loops on my Champion Special however with a dremmel which is no small feat without hacking the adjacent leather as I prefer the clean look of no bag loops.
HTH,
George

Serpico

My concern is a B17--a butchered B17 seems to have a LOT of cage showing, compared to a swallow. I think the rails are higher/deeper/whatever on a B17.

Anyone have a swallow and a B17, to compare?

bmike

The B17 has long "skirts" on the side... and the Swallow is cut differently than the B17... so they may have similar rail heights. I've noticed on butchered B17's and Pro's that significantly more rail shows.

Like I said, the height was right on from my Pro to the Swallow... at least as accurate as I could measure it and feel it when I pedal.

I like the look of the rails showing, over the "skirt".

steppinthefunk 

HEre's a pic of my Butchered B17. The rails are higher than other saddles... But still, I think the B17 is still the best candidate for a butcher project...

bmike

Nice!

deeridiot

Stepinthefunk, that is the coolest B17 mod I've seen so far. I'm getting some chafing from the skirts on my B17 so I'm looking to butcher it soon. Do you have more pictures of this mod?

Thanks