Should I feel guilty about this?
 

Brooks Team Professional Honey

Before:
http://people.ucsc.edu/~rfkalams/1.JPG

A Dremel, A Saw Blade, Some Sandpaper and an hour later:
http://people.ucsc.edu/~rfkalams/final.JPG

(Note: The four holes on the side are holes for zipties (or string) to firm the saddle.)

yes.

you are one of those potheads that gets "great ideas" when you are stoned and actually goes through with them aren't you? Just kidding man, but you really should feel bad.

I feel as if you removed a **** load of support and strength by doing that.

naw, save the feeling bad till you actually sit on that thing.

actually, in case you haven't read any of my previous posts, i don't know sh1t about sh1t. let us know how it feels.

EDIT: GO BANANA SLUGS!

what the **** are you doing!?

somethting about that seat looks like it could give you a nasty bite in the nads

yeah, there's nothing really supporting those inside edges, so i think when you sit on it the cut-out will likely shut down a bit, kinda like a mouth eating your sack

You're replicating one of these? http://www.mcmwin.com/

http://host114.ipowerweb.com/~mcmwin...s/R0010006.jpg

http://host114.ipowerweb.com/~mcmwin...s/R0012732.jpg

Is this going to end up like the guy on fark who sat down in his slatted wood chair, getting his junk somehow between the slats and caught underneath the chair. Because, if it is, we really need to know.

Guilt is a wonderful feeling. But if you're going to indulge, I suggest something more meaningful than murdering your Brooks. Maybe try some schoolkids next time.

Jeez. You have a saddle that cost more than any 3 of my bikes together, and you do that to it? I kind of understand the cutout, though I don't think it's a good idea, but why would you sand it down?

I think it will just pinch your taint, but why don't you just go out and ride it and find out.

Brooks saddles are the worst period...

yes you should feed guilty. if not for the hack job than for the sandpaper. would you cut up a nice pair of leather shoes?

No need to feel guilty if it works.

it looks like it's carved out of wood now... so its got that goin' for it...

As first I thought it was carved out of wood.
And I was like, "why feel guilty over your cool widdle job?"

jeez you must have some crappy bikes. that's a $100 saddle.

please don't measure everything in life in beaters

+1. in fact, the post above yours is when i realized that his idea was the hole in the saddle, not a wooden saddle with a hole in it...in fact, it's not even wood.

is it?

That looks like it would feel like sitting on a fence post.

http://www.ciphotography.com/Gallery...nce%20Post.jpg

Some cow is rolling over in its grave right now.

if it works, good job. if not, maybe practice on a bargain bin model next time.

although i am curious why you don't want it smooth - for me, the smoothness has always been the best trait of the brooks.

what are you trying to do/prove?

all doubts about your identity have just been cleared up.

Okay, Okay, Okay....
 

....I don't think I should let this continue any further than it has already gone.

Here's the story:

In my quest for a comfortable saddle I've tried just about everything. I've ridden Rolls, Turbos, Flites, Max Flites, WTBs, SLR, SLR Gel Flow, Specialized, etc. This list really goes on, and on, and on. I've never found something comfortable for both short and long rides. I've known about Brook's saddles for many years but always found them hideous in appearance and couldn't, for the life of me, understand how that leather could be comfortable. Well, after getting tired of buying and trying new saddles I thought I'd give Brooks a shot. I spent quite some time researching which saddle was right for me. B17? Nope, only really comfortable for upright riding. Swallow? Ha, I'm not about to start selling off parts to afford it. I settled on the Team Pro. A week later I had it sitting in my room.

I researched and read everything there is to know about Brooks saddles. I used all the appropriate break in procedures, saddle height/tilt/foreaft adjustments that are critical to make the saddle feel right. Now, this f****ing thing was a b****h to break in, but once it was, it felt great. Except there was one problem.

Before I continue I was to say this: I am a firm believer in the idea of having the padding in your shorts, not your seat. If you've ridden for any considerable amount of time on a soft, fluffy, gelly seat, you'll understand. If you want to be comfortable on any firm seat you really should ride with a nice pair of shorts. Thing is, I ride 5 days a week without shorts, and I'm not looking to start, or change my saddle. So i wanted a firm, yet slightly flexible saddle.

Anyway, back to the problem. The thing with Brooks users is that they end up running the saddle level or slightly tilted up. You have to do this to keep from sliding off and end up putting a lot of pressure on your hands. So I had my slightly tilted, but I was expierencing way too much pressure on my perineum, not good. So I would go back and forth between level and tilted up, too much pressure on my hands, too much pressure on my perineum. I know other Brooks users have expierenced this as well.

Jesus, I just realized how long this is getting. I'll just cut to the chase.

Bottom line--Most comfortatable saddle I've ever ridden, period. The zipties keep it stiff while the long cutout allows each side to independently flex with each peddle stroke. No, it doesn't pinch. I sanded the whole seat because I'm going to dye the seat with leather dye, seal the pores and then polish it to a nice shine. No I don't recommend doing this. Yes the seat looks ugly. There is a company that does this, I recommend checking them out.