Leather Saddle Rain Cover?
 

My cover leaks! And with our next tour starting to take shape I thought it would beca good time to find a new cover. My touring bike has a Gile Bertroud saddle.
So let me know whst works for you!
Thanks

I do not think any coated nylon will stay waterproof forever when used for a saddle cover. I have used a variety of covers over the years, sometimes when I suspected one leaked, I put some thin plastic over the saddle under the cover. Something like the thin plastic bags that you put your fruits and vegies in at the produce section. If you are nervous, use thicker plastic.

I've had good luck with Aardvark saddle covers; I can usually get a couple weeks' riding before they start to leak.

A couple additional notes. First, I don't need a saddle cover unless I'm riding without a rain jacket, it's raining hard, I'm drenched in sweat on a a long ride (more than an hour, say), or the bike is outside without me on it when it might rain. Second, for the lonely bike in the rain scenario, a grocery bag held in place by an old, leaking Aardvark keeps the saddle dry. (Note where I live isn't progressive enough to require deforestation to provide grocery bags.)

Shower cap from Walmart or Target. I have the cover from Brooks, but use it mainly when transporting the bike long distance on the bike rack. For day to day use, and on tour, the shower cap works great, packs small, and is effective. Oh, and they are cheap and readily replaceable. I even bough some one day on tour in a Dollar Store.

Shower cap from a hotel works too. I won’t say they are cheaper because you have to pay for the room.

If the shower cap/plastic bag look isn’t for you, you can get Brooks covers for around $14. REI says they have them.

Checked REI and they don't show.
How about Ardvark?

Another advantage to a simple plastic shower cap as a saddle cover is that in a pinch, it can be used as a helmet cover when it is raining or it can also be used to keep your head surprisingly warmer if it is chilly outside by blocking those vents.

Just don't count on getting any style points with a shower cap as a helmet cover.

I use a cheap plastic bag. I start with one and save the ones I get buying groceries and snacks at convenience stores. On the C&O, I put items in the panniers in separate bags, just to be safe. I also use the bags for collecting my trash, as I ride, and as I break camp. I have learned to value them since Vermont no longer allows grocery stores to give them away.

Sorry, not Brooks. They are Planet Bike. They are close to the same as the Brooks I have. If you need Brooks, Performance has them for $11.

Order the one from Berthoud

I have had good luck with a Serfas seat cover. In fact, I use a cover mostly to camouflage my Brooks saddle.

https://www.amazon.com/Serfas-SCB-1-.../dp/B001SJQCL8

I have an old Brooks rain cover, but got my wife a newer one (might be planet bike) but hers is nicer because it has more material and a draw string that nearly closes it up underneath the seat. Better for less water gunk getting thrown up if no fenders.
my Brooks one does fit well with elasticized edges, but more material would be nice.
I've been meaning to get myself one, but haven't gotten around to it all these years.

Overnight outside bike storage when camping, I put a plastic bag with a clip on top of my seat cover. If it's rains really heavily it's simple insurance.
clip or twist tie stops bag coming off in with high winds. Has happened.
I always too have a spare plastic bag in my panniers, again, easy insurance.

I have tried several and for the cost/benefit, I am a strong proponent of the cheap shower caps. A pack of 3 cost $1, they last for about 12 hours of riding and months of overnight protection, and are easy to find at a Walmart or dollar store. Sure they look silly but so what.

the main advantage of the bespoke ones is that they stay on properly, both due to the shape and fit, tight around the sides etc and also the velcro bit that you put through the rear part of the rail.
I find this aspect worth it

Selle Anatomica, wraps top and bottom with just a passage for the seatpost:
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3dd13e910.png

Hmph! Carradice of Nelson has apparently discontinued their saddle cover. These uniquely had reinforced passageways for the saddle's bag loops/saddlebag straps.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1ca5c1f8b5.jpg

ouch 50 Canuck bucks+shipping, so probably 60 clams. Thats a lotta dough for a rain cover.

If I'd purchased one and was defending my decision, I'd utter a platitude like "buy cheap, buy twice".

But heck, I don't own one. Yeah, Selle Anatomic is proud of all their stuff. :D

I get buying good quality gear, but seems to me the ones we have were in the 15-20 range Canadian, and have held up well for a good bunch of years.

Seems like the majority of (us) go the shower cap route. The ones I buy here in the UK generally are double layered (one water-proof outer layer with decorative flourishes for the fashionable bather and one inner plastic layer providing double protection from water damaging your latest hair-do). My lovely black & white paisley print now features additional decorative panels of shiney grey duct-tape, which along with the additional styling, this also assists to prolong the life of my most necessary cycling accoutrement.

Yes, a shower cap works very well, and is quick and easy to put on. It is a cheap and effective solution, and stores very small. Don't get me wrong, I do have a Brooks seat cover, but it is generally used when I am transporting the bike on a bike rack, other than that, I usually use the shower cap. I did use the Brooks cover when I commuted and had to park it outside on windy, rainy days, but then again, other days I simply used the shower cap. It's nice to have a fitted cover like the one made by Brooks, but they take more time to put on, and are no more effective than the simple shower cap.

Your double layer cap sound very nice. Personalized with duct tape is even better. :beer:

I have used Glad Bowl covers

Trigger warning: three-year-old thread. (Timeless subject, though.)



MYOG: Burda saddle cover free PDF sewing pattern. You gotta register an account (also free).

https://www.burdastyle.com/cotton-se...yle-02-25.html

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...770e614bf0.png


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...acbd91bba8.png

I had a patch of suede leather left from a project and I made a saddle cover from it. Waterproofed the leather and made it into something that will work if the bike is sitting in the rain. I have yet to try riding on it, but see no reason why it would not work. Before this I used a plastic headrest cover that Toyota ships new cars with. They are elasticized and fit the B17 without any issues. Have not ridden on it, but for outdoor storage it works very well.