Brooks + rain = ?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Brooks + rain = ?
yeah, another brooks thread.
I know I'm not supposed to get it wet, but even when I'm riding and its raining, the back section where all my rivets are gets rained on. Should I find some waterproof seat protector to slip over it or am I worrying too much?
I know I'm not supposed to get it wet, but even when I'm riding and its raining, the back section where all my rivets are gets rained on. Should I find some waterproof seat protector to slip over it or am I worrying too much?
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i think applying something like wax to the leather itself would proably damage it and cause it to not breath(and breathing is why leather is so good)
#4
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by citypigeon
i think applying something like wax to the leather itself would proably damage it and cause it to not breath(and breathing is why leather is so good)
#5
(((Fully Awake)))
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ~Serenading with sensous soliloquies whilst singing supple sentences that are simultaneously suppling my sonnets with serenity serendipitously.~ -Serendipper
Posts: 5,589
Bikes: Guerciotti Pista-Giant Carbon-Bridgestone300- Batavus Type Champion Road Bike, Specialized Hardrock Commuter, On-One The Gimp (SS Rigid MTB/hit by a truck)- Raleigh Sports 3-speed,Gatsby Scorcher, comming soon...The Penny Farthing Highwheel!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ebay has natty Brooks seat covers on sale from across the pond. They look great, I think I'll order one to preserve the old 1930's Pro.
__________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
無上甚深微妙法 .... 百千萬劫難遭遇..... 我今見聞得受持
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
無上甚深微妙法 .... 百千萬劫難遭遇..... 我今見聞得受持
#6
Paste Taster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 4,392
Bikes: , Jury Bike, Moto Outcast 29, Spicer standard track frame and spicer custom steel sprint frame.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
mink oil ya know the stuff you buy it for your boots
#7
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 5,155
Bikes: rockhopper, delta V, cannondale H300, Marin Mill Valley
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Some leather treatments (mink oil for example) may soften the leather too much, causing the saddle to sag. Wax based dressing like Sno-seal probably OK, but Brooks recommends that you only use Brooks Proof Hide on their saddles.
#8
Senior Member
I slather a bunch of Proofide on the underside of the saddle and just leave it, don't wipe it off. Not sure if that prevents water damage. I've ridden in the rain quite a few times and it still appears good as new. Did you check the Brooks' website for info?
#9
Crapzeit!
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#10
Senior Member
Originally Posted by TNCLR
I slather a bunch of Proofide on the underside of the saddle and just leave it, don't wipe it off. Not sure if that prevents water damage. I've ridden in the rain quite a few times and it still appears good as new. Did you check the Brooks' website for info?
Some leather treatments do indeed clog the pores and can ruin leather over a long period of time. Sno Seal is good stuff. It has a lot of bees wax in it, much like proofide. I used it on my hiking boots which were immersed in water daily on hiking trips.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think the Brooks and water thing is a little over hyped. It is leather not spun sugar. When you are not riding it, cover it in rain. When you are riding, as long as it has been properly treated, it should be fine. Brooks are popular among touring cyclists and randonneurs, folks that are not really shy about riding in a little weather.
#12
MADE IN HONG KONG
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,763
Bikes: some but not enough
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I made severial mistakes over the last few years w Brooks saddles:
1. Very Old B-72, I used neetsfoot oil and proofide. Got caught riding in the rain and riding with the saddle wet. the leather around some of the rivets started to tear.
2. Spontanious Spash and Dash got the better of me and now there are stains on a honey champ flyer. I had this saddle since new and have used Proofide exclusively and periodically.
Other notes:
1. saw lots of brooks and Wrights in Amsterdam that appeared to have been lefted out inthe rain and snow forever. Many were totally sagged but strangely not torned
2. Snowprof is good stuff, used it on my leather jackets for over 20 yrs
1. Very Old B-72, I used neetsfoot oil and proofide. Got caught riding in the rain and riding with the saddle wet. the leather around some of the rivets started to tear.
2. Spontanious Spash and Dash got the better of me and now there are stains on a honey champ flyer. I had this saddle since new and have used Proofide exclusively and periodically.
Other notes:
1. saw lots of brooks and Wrights in Amsterdam that appeared to have been lefted out inthe rain and snow forever. Many were totally sagged but strangely not torned
2. Snowprof is good stuff, used it on my leather jackets for over 20 yrs
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Pompano Beach
Posts: 169
Bikes: IRO Jamie Roy, Beater1, Beater2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Mine gets wet on nearly every ride (rainy season) I use proofride on top about once a week, just a very light coat polished in, did the underside w/o polishing heavy when I first got it. It's holding up beautifully after about 2000 wet miles.
#14
shot
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 297
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by barba
When you are not riding it, cover it in rain.
#15
park ranger
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: mars
Posts: 1,794
Bikes: recumbents
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
hte brooks care book says put proofhide on the top, let it sit a while, polish it out.
on the underside, apply proofhide and just leave it...
if it gets wet let it dry naturally.
on the underside, apply proofhide and just leave it...
if it gets wet let it dry naturally.
#17
in grind we crust
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: brooklyn and anywhere
Posts: 204
Bikes: de rosa prestige 1982 track, de rosa prestige 1982 road, olmo team 1985 road, hoffy track, faggin track, 1981 bianchi piaggio track, d'accordi road, bob jackson singlespeed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
if it's going to be POURING, i just put a plastic bag over it. sure, it looks like hell, but it keeps it dry. and keeps dye off of my pants.
#18
Triathlon = Eat/Bike/Nap
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Pixxxburgh, PA
Posts: 1,100
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by stephenhatesyou
if it's going to be POURING, i just put a plastic bag over it. sure, it looks like hell, but it keeps it dry. and keeps dye off of my pants.
#19
Senior Member
I have never put a plastic bag over any saddle I own. Leather, plastic whatever. If it can't take a little rain it doesn't belong on a bike.
#20
Triathlon = Eat/Bike/Nap
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Pixxxburgh, PA
Posts: 1,100
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mattface
I have never put a plastic bag over any saddle I own. Leather, plastic whatever. If it can't take a little rain it doesn't belong on a bike.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 1,126
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If Brooks can't handle getting wet, how can it handle sweat? Don't worry about the rain.
Proofide the saddle once a month and you will be fine. I've done that for years.
Proofide the saddle once a month and you will be fine. I've done that for years.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 2,188
Bikes: Land Shark, Level Professional, Tsunami singlespeed, Giant Reign 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
don't get it wet! brooks aren't made cow leather, they're made of
i found this out the hard way:
i found this out the hard way:
#23
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 26
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by marcelinyc
What**********??? A bike seat that cant be exposed to rain**********?? go brooks!
However, I've been riding a Brooks Pro now for a week or so and I'm really loving it. I can only imagine how comfortable it will get over time. Looks beautiful, too.
#24
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
I use those cheap shower caps that you get from the motels. It is small an has an elastic band to keep the cover on. As far as riding in the rain, I don't worry about it. I treat mine with a heavy coat of proofhide on the bottom and a light buffed coat on the top.
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#25
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 5,155
Bikes: rockhopper, delta V, cannondale H300, Marin Mill Valley
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Originally Posted by mcatano
Thank goodness they don't have, like, a vested interest in selling Proofide. I'd hate to think I was getting less than impartial advice on saddle care.