CliftonGK1

What's the difference? When you 'break in' a Brooks saddle, the leather becomes more pliable (softer) at the contact points with your arse. Neatsfoot is just doing that to the whole saddle, making it more likely to cause problems with sag and hammocking.

jpdesjar

not hammocking!
it will turn into a banana hammock in no time

proofide discussions are fun

capolover

You can get small mountain bike gels that are more comfortable and weigh less. or even just racing saddles.
They don't look like what everybody else has but......oh well.

IDK, I think the whole brooks craze is fashion over function and it's not that fashionable to begin with.

dobber

Do you even ride one?

mander

I haven't proofided either of my brookses for over a year and they're both doing fine. I gave both of them a very thorough "hot proofide" treatment in the sun when I got them and it's gone a really long way. I probably used too much; just a little dab will do and you just need to run fenders and keep a cover on if you park your bike outside in the rain. I recommend the aardvark cover from velo orange over the official brooks cover.

powerband

???

powerband

Really?

The official manual booklet that accompanies every single Brooks saddle specifically states that every "new Brooks saddle should be treated with Proofide to help assist the break-in."

It sounds like a lot of people assume that Neatsfoot breaks down the fibers of the leather. This is only true in the case of *over-saturation* with substances like mineral oil, mink oil or similar oils. Applied appropriately with the correct amount, application of Neatsfoot results in the same treatment result as Proofide.

Many members seem to be consumers and perpetuators of false information.

f1x1e

My natural ass makes comfort with my Brooks when I buy it tomorrow. I heard haha that you should put nothing on the saddle. I could understand a light whatever for preservation purposes but that's about it. Your just going to have to work in out people. I will let everyone know how my Brooks adventure is after I have one.

Redline927

Wow this thread blew up.

I have since ordered the proofide, I will use it, then ride the thing, and get back to you about it..and also down the road.

thanks for the replies.

Cyclist0383

Of course he hasn't, and judging by his quote he seems to think people really liking their Brooks saddles is a new thing associated with FG fashion. He sounds like another angry college kid who thinks he's dong it 'his way'. Urgh.

DasProfezzional

I agree with him. It says "Since 1866" on the box. Fashionista poseurs since 1866, that is! Ha!

xg43x

Basically everything Sheldon Brown says has been told to me as well from a former Cat-3 racer. Everyone has their approach, I dont have patience to sit on a saddle and have my ass hurt for hundreds of miles because I want to take a slow approach.

stevo

bummer. I was going to recommend Mink Oil (its actually a paste). Available at just about every supermarket on the planet.

benbammens

I've used Neatsfoot oil but now the saddles keeps staining my pants I have to wear different pants and change them when I arrive at work... (ridden it for 200miles or so)

jpdesjar

no stainy with proofide
just get the cool little maintenance kit and be done with it peoples

powerband

No staining whatsoever with Neatsfoot, even with khakis or jeans.
Neatsfoot, Proofide, or whatever method, it's all good. Just don't saturate the stuff like a Saturday night binge event.

CliftonGK1

Saddle choice is one of those questions, like brakes/no brakes or helmet/not, which is sure to piss off everyone after a while. Your last sentence is a perfect example of what it all really boils down to: I think....

I can't stand gel saddles, especially if I'm spending more than 8 hours on my bike. I haven't found a plastic shell saddle that matches the comfort of my Brooks for rides over 100 miles. I don't care about the weight, because over the distances I'm riding I have no problem with the extra weight for the comfort factor.

jpdesjar

+1
i am thinking about a second brooks for my singlespeed, i have a cheap saddle with some squish to it which is fine for short jaunts but tends to be annoying after a while

capolover

are you asking if i have used one or do i use one?

I'm out of college thanks, and it's not about "my way".
I've given distinct reasons why it's not practical to use one.

It's too heavy.
It's too much of a hassle to care for and use.
It's not that comfortable really in my experience.


There are better saddles for less money that are easier to use.

It's like using chuck tailors to play basketball in because it's vintage and "hip" instead of using a comfortable basketball shoe that supports your foot. Except, it's not hip when every muppet on earth has one. But a lot of FG culture is like that, and hey if you have your bike just to show it off that's one thing.

jpdesjar

yes it is fashionable but it also very functional and extremely practical
i don't find myself riding to the coffee shop to show off my saddle, some of us who enjoy riding our bikes like to improve the ride so we can ride longer not just to the coffee shop for crumpets, althouth i do enjoy a good crumpet

capolover

How is it functional when it's just a leather seat?
It doesn't have a cut out, or a groove to protect your taint nerves, it isn't rain resistant, and it's heavy.

People just assume you MUST have a brooks to ride a fixed gear.

jpdesjar

meh, i like mine a lot, it provides good support and my butt is not complaining or my taint, the leather is not supposed to get soaked but i use fenders or cover it with a plastic bag when it rains, it's not too much of a hassle considering what the saddle gives back

not everyone who rides a fixed bike has a brooks but there are a lot of fans
maybe you should try one out you might enjoy it

just ride what you want

667

You are missing the point because you are NOT talking out of your @$$.

It doesn’t need a groove. It's contoured and suspended. The pressure points are dispersed and it moves and breathes with the taint.

wnatw

dudes -- i've been riding a Brooks on my road bike for 3+ years, i tried -- really tried -- to resist posting here but there seem to be some grave misconceptions floating around.

the issue of weight doesn't bother me, nor should it really affect anyone not racing professionally, we're talking about 1/4 lb. differences here. come on.

secondly, the issue of comfort is irrelevant until you've ridden the damn thing for at least 100 miles. the leather is *supposed* to be stiff as ****, that way once it finally conforms to your buttcheeks it will keep that form. there are no specific pressure points at all once you've gotten to this point -- including on your taint nerves. that's true comfort in my opinion. ergo, don't ride a Brooks once or twice (especially if it's modeled on someone else's buttcheeks [unless it's a hot chick's buttcheeks]) and go around talking smack about how they aren't very comfortable.

i never conditioned my Brooks. i've left it in the rain, sun, etc. granted the gloss isn't what it used to be but it isn't like these things will curdle if you don't slather on some overpriced leather conditioner on it. there is simply no "hassle" to speak of.

as for the "fashion" aspects, this is simply a ******** point to be arguing so from here on out everyone who brings it up is a ****** par excellence and should stick to attending Modest Mouse shows instead of riding bikes and getting in my way with your foolishness.

the end.

CliftonGK1

It's functional because when you don't sink into an over-stuffed foam or gel padded seat, you don't have to worry so much about cutouts or grooves to protect your nerves. You aren't crushing them because you're contacting the saddle at the ischial protuberances (your sit bones) the way you're meant to perch on a saddle.
Now, a more agressive position will roll you forward to a point where you might be putting pressure on these nerves. The B-17 isn't a saddle designed with high-speed racing in mind, although the B-17 Imperial prototype does have a cutout to keep your dangly bits from falling asleep.
It isn't rain resistant? Last I checked, cows stand out in the rain all the time. A little bit of water isn't going to kill your Brooks... You're just not supposed to get them drenched, and then go ride on them. It's easy enough to keep a cheap ($8.00) saddle cover in your bag or stuff a plastic grocery bag up under the seat rails for when it rains.
Again, I won't argue the weight. If you want a light saddle, Brooks ain't it. I ride Brooks saddles because I find they're comfortable for very long distance rides. I can spare the extra weight since my distance rig already weighs over 30 pounds.