where would i be able to bring my brooks saddle to have it altered, trimming the side? shoe/leather shop? i've seen the link on the fixedgeargallery but i don't have the skills to do it on my own. how much would it run?

I shoe shop could do it for you. I Don't know how much. You can mark it off with pencil or a dry erase marker.

I recently trimed mine with a dremmel tool and cutting bit. Fairly easy, if you ask me. The hardest part was figuring out how much I wanted to trim. You could try starting off by triming a little until you get a feel for it, as I did.

As ehenz mentioned, it's a fairly easy task. I will be trimming another saddle tomorrow and maybe I can post step by step illustrated instructions on how to go about.

George

I guess that I can understand doing something to make a bike truly custom, but can someone explain to me the thoughts behind "butchering" their Brooks. These aren't cheap seats so I am jsut curious as to the motivation to take that much of a chance.

Thanks.

My reasoning behind this is while these saddles are the most comfortable for me, I simply don't like the looks of these saddles with all that leather. It's more leather than I need. That's why I butcher them without sacrificing comfort. It's purely aesthetics and nothing more.... My wife thinks they look really cool.

George

STEP 1:

Determine and mark the trim line using vinyl tape. Do this on one side of the saddle only. You'll be using this cut out piece as a template to mark the other side.

Step 2:

Go out to the patio and start trimming using your favourite power cutting tool. I'm using a Dremel tool with a diamond cutting disc. It's easy, fast, and clean.

I can't bear to watch this. I think I would have rather watched my son get circumcised.

Step 3:

Use that cut piece as a template and mark the other side of the saddle with a fine marker or whatever and cut.

STEP 4:

The removal of the Brooks badge is optional if you don't plan on trimming the rear end. Otherwise, use needle nosed pliers and gently bend and break it off.

STEP 5:

Again, use tape to mark the cutting line. Make sure your cut mark is slightly below the metal frame. You're only slicing just a tiny thin piece here. Proceed with cutting... Don't worry about those tiny rivets which used to hold the badge. The cutting disc will cut right thru them.

Oh, by the way, I don't want to be held responsible for any screw ups. Modify your Brooks at your own risk....

With all due respect, I think it looked much better before.

Don't worry about it........my bikes prefer chopped saddles too. As long as my bikes are happy, I'm happy.

George

It's your saddle.

Unclechet likes! Would you mind sending in a finished photo?

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

Hey thanks dobber, I've been to that site before but never looked at that feature. I think chopped Brooks saddles can look good. Nice how-to fixer.

ROUGH CUT COMPLETE

This is not finished yet. Final shaping and sanding will take place today. Finished saddle will look much sleeker than this. I left more leather on this chop job compared to my other recently completed antique brown Professional shown in the FixedGearGallery.

George

Well you do nice work. I'm gonna give it a shot on an old Brooks I've got. I just hope mine comes out somewhere as nice as yours. I've got to go mow a couple of yards now, then hopefully on a ride later. Once again thanks for the thread.

The Fixer

Great job on your Brooks saddles, they look very nice!

I recently cut up an old ADGA leather saddle that I use on my fixie (I don't have the nerve to do it to one of my Brooks!). The results are not pretty (the saddle was very ugly to begin with) but it is so much more comfortable than before. I'm glad I did it. Well, I guess I didn't have anything to lose!

It does look nice, but now it's lost that full Brooks vintage look, which is priceless in my eyes.

I think this one's done....

I think that looks sooo much better trimmed. I have had 3 brooks pro saddles and I had never heard of trimming them until just recently, but it looks slick. Great job, George, I am going to do it.

Greg

Greg,
Good luck trimming..... with enough patience, it's an easy task. My very first trim job was a B17 over a year ago and was surprised how well it turned out. Since then, I've trimmed 2 other B17's, 2 B17 Narrows, 3 Professionals, including this one this weekend, a Swift, and just last week, a sprung Conquest Mtb saddle.
I think I'm crazy. I'm currently obsessed with buying and butchering Brooks saddles. I think I need help. I know this thing will wear out in a few months time and I'll be riding stock, unaltered Brooks saddles again....

George