When wearing in a new brooks b17 is it ok to wear padded shorts?
05-02-17, 09:36 AM
#76
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My last trip I did with a friend that I have toured with several times before. He is always looking for ways to trim weight. The last two tours I did with him, he had his Titanium bike. This trip a few months ago he had a Carbon seatpost and a saddle with Carbon rails. But after a couple days he was wishing he brought his old Brooks.
Completely agree.
I have about 74 miles on my new Brooks Pro right now. With some careful use of moisture addition (minimal water) I have it broken in about two thirds to the shape where I want it. First layer of Proofide applied a few days ago.
If I recall correctly, you were the one that commented that small moist pads applied to the underside at the sit bone locations help accelerate the break in process. I tried that on this saddle, worked quite well.
Unsurprisingly, the cost is a turn-off for a lot of people. Yes, the investment in comfort is quite high intially, but these saddles can last decades.
And I have yet to identify any other non-leather bike saddle that can last that long and still be ridden the distances old Brooks saddles have been. Frequently, posters on BF are asking about replacement non-leather saddles either because theirs is so uncomfortable, or it is worn out (torn cover, permanently compressed foam, broken rails, broken plastic former).
So in the long run, the high initial investment in a Brooks saddle that breaks in and is comfortable and is appropriately cared for, will become cheaper and cheaper as the years go by. At least, in my experience.
And I have yet to identify any other non-leather bike saddle that can last that long and still be ridden the distances old Brooks saddles have been. Frequently, posters on BF are asking about replacement non-leather saddles either because theirs is so uncomfortable, or it is worn out (torn cover, permanently compressed foam, broken rails, broken plastic former).
So in the long run, the high initial investment in a Brooks saddle that breaks in and is comfortable and is appropriately cared for, will become cheaper and cheaper as the years go by. At least, in my experience.
I have about 74 miles on my new Brooks Pro right now. With some careful use of moisture addition (minimal water) I have it broken in about two thirds to the shape where I want it. First layer of Proofide applied a few days ago.
If I recall correctly, you were the one that commented that small moist pads applied to the underside at the sit bone locations help accelerate the break in process. I tried that on this saddle, worked quite well.
05-02-17, 05:02 PM
#77
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Unsurprisingly, the cost is a turn-off for a lot of people. Yes, the investment in comfort is quite high intially, but these saddles can last decades.
And I have yet to identify any other non-leather bike saddle that can last that long and still be ridden the distances old Brooks saddles have been. Frequently, posters on BF are asking about replacement non-leather saddles either because theirs is so uncomfortable, or it is worn out (torn cover, permanently compressed foam, broken rails, broken plastic former).
So in the long run, the high initial investment in a Brooks saddle that breaks in and is comfortable and is appropriately cared for, will become cheaper and cheaper as the years go by. At least, in my experience.
And I have yet to identify any other non-leather bike saddle that can last that long and still be ridden the distances old Brooks saddles have been. Frequently, posters on BF are asking about replacement non-leather saddles either because theirs is so uncomfortable, or it is worn out (torn cover, permanently compressed foam, broken rails, broken plastic former).
So in the long run, the high initial investment in a Brooks saddle that breaks in and is comfortable and is appropriately cared for, will become cheaper and cheaper as the years go by. At least, in my experience.
I had in mind that some spend much more on clothes, components, and the bike to have to worry about a $100 saddle. I agree on your other points, a small price to pay for comfort.
05-03-17, 10:54 PM
#78
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In 70's the budget racing bikes came with rock-hard uncovered plastic saddles--I tried a lightly-used Brooks Pro. A bit of front-back sway (far less than many B17's I see) but but in racing position was painful. Was impossible to tighten tension w/o marring nose thanks to the stupid nut placement. Plus the Pro is rounded on top, I don't understand why Brooks is wedded to round road saddles considering that many current racing saddles are flat on top. & if one tours mega-miles on a Pro etc the lowered sit-bone area increases the effect of the round shape.
05-04-17, 01:18 PM
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The C-17 I tried was too hard at the sit bones. Pretty much like a new Brooks Pro feels like out of the box, but the Pro will eventually break in where the C17 will stay the same.
Some people say that they do not need to break in a Brooks saddle. I suspect that those are the same people that will like the C series of saddles. But I need to break in my saddles.
Some people say that they do not need to break in a Brooks saddle. I suspect that those are the same people that will like the C series of saddles. But I need to break in my saddles.
05-04-17, 07:13 PM
#81
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I've had several Brooks saddles, I've never had an issue breaking them in, they usually feel fine right out of the box, but get better with use. I've had to tighten the bolt on my most well used one, as it was getting quite saggy.
If you are really worried about breaking it in, padded shorts, etc, I have devised a plan. Mount your new Brooks saddle on an exercise bike, or on a bike on rollers. Put a little bit of neatsfoot oil on the saddle. Not too much, you don't want to over soften it. Then ride it bare butt for a number of hours. Nothing between you and the seat. That should do the trick.
If you are really worried about breaking it in, padded shorts, etc, I have devised a plan. Mount your new Brooks saddle on an exercise bike, or on a bike on rollers. Put a little bit of neatsfoot oil on the saddle. Not too much, you don't want to over soften it. Then ride it bare butt for a number of hours. Nothing between you and the seat. That should do the trick.
05-04-17, 08:18 PM
#82
Senior Member
I've had several Brooks saddles, I've never had an issue breaking them in, they usually feel fine right out of the box, but get better with use. I've had to tighten the bolt on my most well used one, as it was getting quite saggy.
If you are really worried about breaking it in, padded shorts, etc, I have devised a plan. Mount your new Brooks saddle on an exercise bike, or on a bike on rollers. Put a little bit of neatsfoot oil on the saddle. Not too much, you don't want to over soften it. Then ride it bare butt for a number of hours. Nothing between you and the seat. That should do the trick.
If you are really worried about breaking it in, padded shorts, etc, I have devised a plan. Mount your new Brooks saddle on an exercise bike, or on a bike on rollers. Put a little bit of neatsfoot oil on the saddle. Not too much, you don't want to over soften it. Then ride it bare butt for a number of hours. Nothing between you and the seat. That should do the trick.
To folks getting Brooks for the first time, don't do this, and specifically, read Brooks own recommendations for taking care of, and getting your Brooks saddle to last the longest while giving proper comfort.
Again, DO NOT PUT oils like neetsfoot.
This is not only my opinion.
Brooks specifically warn against this:
https://www.brooksengland.com/en_eu/m...ir-spare-parts
Proofide is a tried and trusted product, the ingredients of which are known to Brooks. This is the only dressing, therefore, that we can endorse for use on a Brooks leather product. The use of any other product is frowned upon and will jeopardize your warranty rights.
Neat’s-foot oil, in particular, is known to have serious harmful effects on a Brooks saddle, weakening the inner fibres of the leather to the point where the leather is no longer strong enough to support the weight of a rider; it will also destroy the sheen finish of the leather.
Last edited by djb; 05-04-17 at 08:23 PM. Reason: Added in specific Brooks warning against this, and their reason for this
05-04-17, 08:25 PM
#83
Senior Member
Also by Brooks:
& CARE
HOW DO I BREAK IN MY SADDLE?
The best way to break in your new saddle is to ride it frequently. Like a new pair of quality leather boots, a leather saddle may be uncomfortable for some at the outset; but like a good pair of boots, once broken in, they will, with proper care, provide the owner with decades of use.
& CARE
HOW DO I BREAK IN MY SADDLE?
The best way to break in your new saddle is to ride it frequently. Like a new pair of quality leather boots, a leather saddle may be uncomfortable for some at the outset; but like a good pair of boots, once broken in, they will, with proper care, provide the owner with decades of use.
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