Proofide for Brooks saddle
07-09-08, 05:07 PM
#52
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Originally Posted by 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.
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.
Where ever do I find the 15 minutes every year to give the saddle a good Proofide application.
Comfort is a personal experience. 8-10 hours in the saddle is all I need to give it a thumbs up.
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This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
07-09-08, 05:22 PM
#53
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My father has been riding on a leather saddle that came original on his Schwinn Varsity over 40 years ago. He has never put anything on the saddle and it has gotten ridden in all kinds of weather and yet it is still holding up remarkably well. He also says that, to this day, in 40 years, he has not found a more comfortable saddle than his leather one. That's all info I need regarding good quality leather saddles. As soon as I can find one out here in the SW burbs of Chicago I'm all over it.
07-09-08, 06:41 PM
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Most companies make a lot of money selling accessory items. It's smart business because many consumers buy into it.
These companies try to sell specialized accessories that are, under their brand clothing, no different than generic items found elsewhere for less cost.
Go Proofide if you want, but do not mistaken its result to be anything more special than that of Neatsfoot.
These companies try to sell specialized accessories that are, under their brand clothing, no different than generic items found elsewhere for less cost.
Go Proofide if you want, but do not mistaken its result to be anything more special than that of Neatsfoot.
07-09-08, 06:45 PM
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I'm not sure what kind of fashion statement one can make with a large and heavy brown saddle. I ride on a Brooks because it happens to be the most comfortable saddle I have tried, and I discovered it years ago on a geared bike. Sounds like a functional choice to me.
07-09-08, 08:01 PM
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I had to clean mine when I got it, it's off a '72 Raleigh and had mildew growing on it. But I cleaned it and treated it with Lexol (horse saddle stuff) and I'm starting to get it broke in. It sucks when its broke in to someone else's but though.
07-09-08, 09:36 PM
#57
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I love how this thread turned into an anti-hipster war when all I asked about was proofide for the leather.
Anyway, I realize that a lot of companies make extra money selling "special" accessories and emphasizing their importance. I figured the stuff isn't THAT expensive, and since ordering online is convenient anyway + I know nothing about leather, whatever. As far as me buying the seat because it's fashionable, I only know ONE other person who has a FG bike and even knows what a brooks saddle is. Who am I trying to impress. I bought the thing bc i hear theyre comfortable and my current saddle (an avocet) has been hurting my ass on any ride over 5 miles. Don't like Brooks, don't get one. Pretty simple.
Anyway, I realize that a lot of companies make extra money selling "special" accessories and emphasizing their importance. I figured the stuff isn't THAT expensive, and since ordering online is convenient anyway + I know nothing about leather, whatever. As far as me buying the seat because it's fashionable, I only know ONE other person who has a FG bike and even knows what a brooks saddle is. Who am I trying to impress. I bought the thing bc i hear theyre comfortable and my current saddle (an avocet) has been hurting my ass on any ride over 5 miles. Don't like Brooks, don't get one. Pretty simple.
07-09-08, 10:25 PM
#58
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I have two Brooks B-17s and I love them. The first one is on my fixed gear commuter, the second on my Xtracycle. I applied Proofhide a few times to the first one, the second one I've been riding without for a few days and have just now applied the Proofhide purely for the element protection. I am a bigger rider (6'3" and 235lbs) so I think I tend to break them in pretty well just by riding. Anyways they are the most comfortable saddles I've ever used and they "disappear" under my butt and never give me trouble.
Brooks says use Proofhide, the saddles cost $75++, what the hell... one of those tins seems like it will last a good long time so why not? If they recommend it, and they've been around since 1866, then I think they know what the heck they're talking about
Steve
Brooks says use Proofhide, the saddles cost $75++, what the hell... one of those tins seems like it will last a good long time so why not? If they recommend it, and they've been around since 1866, then I think they know what the heck they're talking about
Steve
07-09-08, 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Mayday328
My father has been riding on a leather saddle that came original on his Schwinn Varsity over 40 years ago. He has never put anything on the saddle and it has gotten ridden in all kinds of weather and yet it is still holding up remarkably well. He also says that, to this day, in 40 years, he has not found a more comfortable saddle than his leather one. That's all info I need regarding good quality leather saddles. As soon as I can find one out here in the SW burbs of Chicago I'm all over it.
07-12-08, 11:02 AM
#60
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Originally Posted by powerband
Most companies make a lot of money selling accessory items. It's smart business because many consumers buy into it.
These companies try to sell specialized accessories that are, under their brand clothing, no different than generic items found elsewhere for less cost.
Go Proofide if you want, but do not mistaken its result to be anything more special than that of Neatsfoot.
These companies try to sell specialized accessories that are, under their brand clothing, no different than generic items found elsewhere for less cost.
Go Proofide if you want, but do not mistaken its result to be anything more special than that of Neatsfoot.
Neats consist of rendered animal lard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neatsfoot_oil
SnoSeak is a wax
https://setonresourcecenter.com/msds/...6/wcd006ee.htm
__________________
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
07-12-08, 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by dobber
Big difference. I put SnoSeal on items I wish to seal and protect (boots, saddles), Neats on items I want to condition, softening.
Neats consist of rendered animal lard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neatsfoot_oil
SnoSeak is a wax
https://setonresourcecenter.com/msds/...6/wcd006ee.htm
Neats consist of rendered animal lard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neatsfoot_oil
SnoSeak is a wax
https://setonresourcecenter.com/msds/...6/wcd006ee.htm
I'm not against the use of Proofide; I merely want to point out that a Brooks saddle does not become useless after using Neatsfoot or other well-known leather conditioner.
07-12-08, 04:13 PM
#62
Perineal Pressurized
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Originally Posted by powerband
I'll give you that. However, softening leather with Neatsfoot does not render a Brooks into a hammock. The leather may become supple, but the fibers do not break down to cause sagging, otherwise my 25 year-old Brooks saddle would show sagging. It does not, after years of treatment with Neatsfoot.
Everybody has there own experience for sure. In your case your probably conservative in your applications.
__________________
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
07-12-08, 06:07 PM
#63
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hehe, this thread cracks me. people swear by every answer under the sun as far as care.
when i first got my saddle a couple years ago, and asked several long-time brooks seat owners - the same thing resulted - every answer under the sun from do-absolutely-nothing to dunk-it-in-oil.
what i decided on was to err on the side of low-maintenance. I haven't applied anything yet to it, but i probably will apply some obenhauf's once it shows any signs of dryness.
when i first got my saddle a couple years ago, and asked several long-time brooks seat owners - the same thing resulted - every answer under the sun from do-absolutely-nothing to dunk-it-in-oil.
what i decided on was to err on the side of low-maintenance. I haven't applied anything yet to it, but i probably will apply some obenhauf's once it shows any signs of dryness.
07-13-08, 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by wnatw
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.
I will probably try to restore it a bit in the future when I've got some down time, but until then it rides just fine without being high maintenance.
