Just an update on how my saddle is holding up. This is the Brooks
one that I ws told to break in by soaking it in neatsfoot compound for a week,totally submersed, and then to let it drip for a week.

Well even though the "good people at Rivendale" advised against it, the saddle is still plush and is in fine shape.

Let me know if ya'all have any questions.

TERENCE

Terence,

You just took ten years off that saddles expected thirty year life span!

I was too scared to harm my Swift by the neatsfoot method.

Good luck.

I have used Neatsfoot oil on a couple old, dried Brooks saddles (bought dirt cheap on E-Bay), and it really worked well on them! For my new Team Professional and my nearly-perfect B-66, though, I have only used the Proofhide. I apply it top and bottom. The B66 I put Neatsfoot oil on the underside first, though (it was a few years old), but not on the top.

I have many miles on a brooks swift ti, just proofhide, never anything else, super comfort after break in. ride a brooks B-17 on the commuter, nothing but proof hide and always comfortable, right from the start on that one.

I just put 25mi on my first Brooks B17N last Saturday and it was fine. Guess I like a firm saddle. Anywho, I don't understand the fear of the Brooks break in period.

I "broke" my B17 in by riding it a bit, just 5 miles at a time for a few weeks. It soon settled into my shape, and has never caused a problem. I dont understand this big deal with the process.
I also use just Proofhide on the saddle, because thats what Brooks tell me to do.