Any Brooks experts out there?

[bonker]

I'm getting a bit concerned about the shape of my Brooks Swallow saddle.
I've only had it three months or so but it's taking on a very funny shape. All the advice says don't over tension.
I have to admit to using a thin smear of polish and not Proofride on it. I also rode a 24hr Le Mans race on it and used it on my fixed for a while. Other than this nothing out of the ordinary.

Should it be this shape?
Any advice?

I couldn't post a pic so there are some pics on my blog if you want a look.

http://oakleytransitionsironmanteam.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[Scruffmonster]

It's the internet, there are NOTHING BUT experts out there....

It's certainly on odd one... if it held that shape for the next 10 years and never caused you grief... then it's fine. But it certainly doesn't look right.

 

[accountantpete]

I'd say under-tensioned and the saddle is too far back so you are sitting in the middle..

 

[amaferanga]

That's a lot of sag for a 3 month old saddle. Are you very heavy and have you ridden it when it's been very wet?

 

[bonker]

No I'm not heavy and I haven't ridden it when wet. Accountant pete is right that I have the saddle back as far as it will go.

 

[Banjo]

I have had a Brooks B17 for about 3 months ,done about 1200 miles on it .Its still the same shape as new more or less.

Mine is set forward quite a bit on the rails,though I cant see how that makes any difference as it is still only supported at the two ends regardless of where the clamp is?

 

[Pottsy]

One of my B17's sagged more than others I've had and more quickly, for reasons I'm not aware. I think it's normally getting soaked, though that didn't happen to mine either.

Contrary to what a lot of people suggest I just tightened it up and it's fine now.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

I'm getting a bit concerned about the shape of my Brooks Swallow saddle.
I've only had it three months or so but it's taking on a very funny shape. All the advice says don't over tension.
I have to admit to using a thin smear of polish and not Proofride on it. I also rode a 24hr Le Mans race on it and used it on my fixed for a while. Other than this nothing out of the ordinary.

Should it be this shape?
Any advice?

I couldn't post a pic so there are some pics on my blog if you want a look.

http://oakleytransitionsironmanteam.blogspot.co.uk/

Checked your blog and I think the problem is that your saddle is moulding to the shape of your bum......and your bum is the wrong shape!

To be serious for a few seconds, it looks like you have not been sitting far enough back on the saddle because a lot of the weight on Brooks saddles should be distributed through the rear saddle support. This may be because the saddle needs tipping nose up a little or as already suggested by accountantpete needs bringing forward a little. I would also tighten the tension.

 

[accountantpete]

I bought a Lycett Swallow off ebay - it had cracked in the middle after similar punishment and the seller had rather hopefully glued it together.

The glue didn't hold very well but it was surprising how little tension there was running the length of the saddle. At the back (where the sit bones should be sat) the tension runs mainly across the saddle..

I presume that the Brooks saddle in question has a similar tension arrangement which explains why it has sunk down so quickly.

 

[stumpy66]

You contacted Brooks for their thoughts?

 

[Scoosh]

You contacted Brooks for their thoughts?

I have had cause to phone Brooks and they were very helpful, so I'd recommend this line.

 

[gwhite]

I think it wrong to compare the B17 with the Swallow. The leather used on the Swallow should be much thicker than the B17. No matter how you have been sitting on the saddle there should not be this amount of sag. One would imagine that looking at it, it had been ridden while wet, but given that this is not the case and the saddle is only three months old I would certainly refer it back to Brooks. Their first reaction will probably be that the saddle has been over-softened by the use of some agent and they will certainly want to inspect it before deciding what's to be done.

Good luck.

 

[asterix]

Have a had a few Brooks saddles mostly B17. Have experienced variations in the leather character from rather soft to rock hard. The soft ones are always more trouble and if you get one of the rock-like ones they will last and once broken in be most comfortable. The first one I had was very hard. I soaked it in proofide and put it in a warm place to soak it in well. I had to ride
with black trousers/shorts for years after that but it was extraordinarily comfortable.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Have a had a few Brooks saddles mostly B17. Have experienced variations in the leather character from rather soft to rock hard. The soft ones are always more trouble and if you get one of the rock-like ones they will last and once broken in be most comfortable. The first one I had was very hard. I soaked it in proofide and put it in a warm place to soak it in well. I had to ride
with black trousers/shorts for years after that but it was extraordinarily comfortable.

I knew someone knowledgeable would come along, sooner or later, to confirm, knowingly or unknowingly, that they are the work of the devil...

 

[gwhite]

When Brooks was an English company the thickness of the leather used in the saddles varied enormously. I bought two Team Pro's and the thickness of leather in one was twice the thickness of the other. It took me a year and a half before I twigged that this was why one was comfy and one was unbearable.
When the company was bought over the quality control improved and leather thickness became more consistent. The saddles sold by Spa have very thick leather similar to the Brooks Colt. This means that the leather is too thick to be "broken in" to the shape of the rider in the usual fashion but work on the hammock principle similar to the Berthaud saddle. I ended up creating a shaped hole similar to the Brooks Imperial in my Spa saddle.