Can I save this Brooks?
 

So a friend of mine gave me a used brooks swift. The only problem is that he used it on a 24hr mtb race durring a serious rainstorm. It has since dried and hasn't been used for a while. It doesn't look too bad, but you can tell its worn down. The tension bolt is in the halfway position. So there isn't alot of room left. I awlays thought these were firm saddles, but i can push this one down with my hand and the sides flare out. I rode it today and its comfortable but i think it should be firmer.

1. Should i tension it untill the sides don't flare?

2. Can i tie the bottom of the saddle so that it doesn't flare? (i heard something baout this but can't find any info)

3. Buy a brooks pro and start fresh?

i think you should try tying it, fixer will probably chime in on this, but you can find some photos here:

http://www.wallbike.com/content/butchering.html

make sure you use some string with very little stretch, like hemp twine, and punch the holes with a good leather punch, and far enough from the edge that you don't risk ripping the skirt

Sounds like it's still good to me. I would tension it up until it feels firm, DO NOT overstretch it! Everybody I've talked to recommends like 1/2 to full turn of the tension bolt. But this obviously varies since this saddle you've got seems like its seen some neglect. I can see some flex on mine when I push down on it. I'd also get some Proofide and get that leather conditioned again. Brooks saddles are incredibly durable and last for many years. I wouldn't write it off until the tension bolt has nothing left to offer and the leather has gone limp.

Viola! For some reason i couldn't get to that page. BUt the link you prvided worked. After im done with my second job im going to give that a try.
Thanks!

Does it look like this? ;)

http://img223.exs.cx/img223/6264/attachment2co.jpg

so, what's the deal with brooks saddles, anyway? i think i'm not getting something. why would i want to spend extra money for a saddle that weighs twice as much as a cheap one and gets ruined by RAIN? i ride a lot (in rain, sometimes, too), and i am perfectly comfy on my stripped down road saddle. so what's the deal? are they for heavier riders?

even in its current shape, its the most comfortable thing i've ever ridden. I took my fizik arione saddle (great saddle) off to put on this brooks swift.

You just don't know what comfort is...

yeah, that might be true. maybe i'm better off not knowing. it's the same reason i don't fly 1st class --i know i'll get spoiled and need it every time.

ignorance is bliss.

do you really believe what you're saying? do you actually follow that "ignorance is bliss" mindset?

i can't imagine living that way. avoiding knowledge, just incase it hurts.

oops, someone forgot their sense of humor today.

but seriously, i'm happy with my comfort level with my stripped saddle, why would i change?
i'm always looking for ways to minimize my fixie, not add to it.

I ride a Swift, it is very nice.

Be careful with the tensioning it can ruin the saddle.

here is another way of looking at it and it might freak some people out.

Since it was ruined by water use water to fix it.
Wet the saddle again so you can reshape it to the way you want it to look.
After it looks right let it dry for a long time. tie it if you have to.
Push the bum dents back out at the same time.
After it dries treat the saddle with Proofide and let it sit a while before riding again.

Leather is a natural thing it can be reshaped. Do you remember getting a new baseball mitt ?
You would treat the leather put a baseball in it, but the glove between your matress and box spring and a day or so later you the mitt had a pocket for the ball. Or am I the only one who did that ?

Tony

True, when I was in highschool, I made gun and knife holsters by wrapping the pistol or knife in wax wrap and then wetting the leather and shapinf it over the item, then letting it dry and oil treating it.

Well the saddle is now tied. Man that made a world of difference. I was even able to back off the tension a little bit. Best idea in my opinion for the swift saddle. Thanks guys.

Well I don't have a brooks or even a leather saddle but I still have problems with rain, so what I do is I put a plastic bag over the seat.

When riding you shift around more but for letting it sit outside while you are at work or a store it works perfect.

wow, taking guns and knifes to school to make holsters.....nope, not in my school where a swiss army knife could get you tossed out.....

Never thought of putting baseball mitt under mattress, i just wrap it in ace bandage w baseball in pocket, but I think i'll try the mattress thing, on my wifes side of the bed.....

[but for letting it sit outside while you are at work or a store it works perfect.[/QUOTE]


one word----"showercap"

Lets just say highschool was a while back :)

Obviously, this is back when most students, parents, & school admistrators had common sense...

this is funny....and sad....but most of all.....true....