divtag

I picked up a Brooks B17 from REI and was wondering where I could find neetsfoot oil or equivalent to start to get my Brooks into riding shape?

Braldar

I picked up the oil from a shoe store that sold Redwing boots. It was the only shoe store in my town that carried it, and we have a bunch of shoe stores. Apparently it had been there for a while because it was covered in dust...

Two-Wheel Hick

Velo Orange has it. They also carry Proofide, which is what Brooks recommends for their saddles: https://www.velo-orange.com/brookssaddles.html

teacherbill

Way back in ancient history, when I could not find the proper oil, I used corn oil on my baseball catcher's mitt. I lasted through two baseball seasons catching knuckle-ball pitchers, so it had to be very flexible. The last year, my knees gave out so I went to the outfield. Can't remember what I used on it. (a long, long time ago....)

markf

Whoever sold you the saddle should be able to sell you a can of Brooks Proofide, which is what Brooks recommends. If not, Velo Orange (as mentioned by Two-Wheel Hick), Wallingford, Rivendell and probably a few other online vendors will have it. Neet's foot oil was popular for a long time, but I don't think it was ever recommended over Proofide.

ljg

Neetsfoot oil is used on horses. So any horse supply store should have it. Often, most farm type store's (where there are horses in the area) will stock it in the animal supply section.

I get mine from the local farmers Co-op and Seed store down the road from me.
I use it on most leather products, from my belt to my hiking boots to my leather motorcycle jacket. It works great!

RFC

Ace Hardware

divtag

So the proofide is reccomended? I was just going off of Sheldon Brown's leather saddle care page. I got the Brooks from REI, they didn't have any proof.

BengeBoy 

Back in the old days, neatsfoot oil was recommended as the way to break in a Brooks. I think today the consensus of most Brooks users (plus the manufacturer's recommendation) is that there is no need for softening agents on a new Brooks saddle (that's what neatsfoot oil is supposed to do). Instead, you use a bit of wax-based protectant on the saddle, but then you just go out and ride.

Some people believe that using neatsfoot oil will shorten the life of the saddle (though I used it in the past, and I recently used it to revive an old, dried out Brooks I bought on eBay). I personally would not, and have not, used it on new Brooks saddles.

FWIW, Brooks recommends their own product, Proofhide, but a product designed for horse saddles, Obenhauf's, is what I use - appears to be the same stuff and is a bit cheaper.

You can buy Obenhauf's online, at tack stores, or from Rivendell at www.rivbike.com. Proofhide is typically available at any dealer that sells Brooks.

Camel

I only used the proofhide, and the tin is small enough that I took it on my year tour.

I'd recon Harris cyclery as well as Wallingford sell it online. (I bought my proofhide at Harris, but that was in 04/05?)

DCwom

Brooks opinions are like, well you know, everyone has one... There are some who say that the oil is a no, no. As a proud new owner of a B17 (just put the 1st 46 miles on her today!) I've decided to try the no oil route, and put some Proofrdie (when I get some) to protect it. I've also heard that snoseal is a good Proofride substitute.

My experience with the new seat out of the box? Unbroken in, it was about the same as the old as for comfort so the break in will continue without oil.

RFC

I have used the Sheldon Neats Foot Oil method on four Brook. All it does is take the edge off a bit. It's not like it turns it to mush. As far as shortening the life of the saddle -- what are we taking about 200,000 miles v. 250,000?

divtag

If I order the proofide on-line, can I ride the Brooks until it come sin? Or do I have to put it on before riding it?

BengeBoy 

Go ahead and ride.

I think personally there is way too much mythology about the care and feeding of Brooks saddles. Mine have put up with a lot of abuse.

I would be a little careful about leaving it out in the rain until you've put some Proofhide on it, but I really wouldn't worry too much.

divtag

Luckily it only rains two days a year here. Actually I hate that about SoCal, but as far as leather saddles go, no worries. Seattle would be awesome. I looked for a teaching job there the last two years, no luck. Then again, it looks tough to make ends meet on a teacher's salary in Seattle area.

Camel

Don't rule out the Portland Oregon area either, once the economy turns around. Might be a bit easier to find a descent job in the western suburbs (Beaverton area etc).

KLW2

I used neatsfoot on a black team pro...(used Sheldon's method) worked great except that the dye comes off on your shorts forever...use a honey colored saddle if you wear other than black shorts..

Ducksoup_SD

I've used both neatsfoot oil and Proofhide to soften my Brooks B17's and the Proofhide was better. Yes, it's a few pennies more than neatsfoot oil, but the Brits have been dressing leather for 500 years or so and seem to have it figured out. I'd also recommend getting a tension spanner for when it gets loose.