Breaking in a Brooks saddle the unofficial way

[jay clock]

I have one I have had for ten years or more. Only used on my tourer (next trip is trans USA www.usacycle2018.com) and I did cheat when I broke it in. Will look that process up in a moment and post it here.

Anyway, looking for advice on how to apply Brooks Proofide, I came across a video suggesting soaking it in water! Have a look

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzKCA4H8b68


Happy cycling

Jay

 

[jay clock]

I found the method I used. Heating in oven was the way and horse saddle oil. I used Flexalan see here https://www.dropbox.com/s/0cldib05xw4fohy/brooks saddle.doc?dl=0

 

[Drago]

Its your derriere that breaks in to the saddle, not t'other way around.

 

[welsh dragon]

All i did was rub a bit of proofide into the saddle top and underneath, leave it for 10 minutes then buff the top of the saddle. worked a treat. Then again, my derrierre appreciated my brooks from day 1. I wouldn't bother with all that soaking, dipping parlaver . A couple of times a year i slap some proofide on it and buff it back up, the saddle not my derrierre that is.

 

[Old jon]

Sit on it and ride.

 

[Profpointy]

I have to say my brooks saddles, both b17 and team pro were comfy from the off. Maybe they simply don't suit some people hence these bizarre potions and spells people adopt

 

[Alan O]

From memory - with it upside down I sloshed a load of neatsfoot oil inside mine and rubbed it in as best I could, repeated that several times over the first couple of months I had it, and now I just apply a bit of dubbin or mink oil to top and bottom a couple of times a year.

That's a Swallow, which was actually pretty comfortable right from the start.

 

[Ian H]

Most ways of speeding up the breaking-in period of a leather saddle also hasten its demise.

 

[gom]

I’m sure Brooks are quite keen that you do not apply any exotic treatment on any form. A good soak in overnight rain has left more than one of mine in a sad state.
Like others here, I’ve always found them fine from the off. However they all deform over time, and all to the same shape - no doubt the negative of my derrière, becoming more comfortable as they do.

 

[gom]

I’m of the opinion that each riders Brooks become a rider-specific shape, and a trained eye could identify a bike’s owner from saddle shape alone.
Perhaps we should have a gallery?

 

[kingrollo]

I just rode mine - it was comfy from the off - my understanding the proof ride just waterproofs it.

 

[I like Skol]

Of course, you could just buy a saddle from this millennia that isn't a collectors item/status symbol/badge of honour* and just does the job without any of these strange and unusual requirements regardless of the current weather, phase of the moon or application of your preferred tipple.......

(* delete as appropriate)

Just sayin!

 

[welsh dragon]

Of course, you could just buy a saddle from this millennia that isn't a collectors item/status symbol/badge of honour* and just does the job without any of these strange and unusual requirements regardless of the current weather, phase of the moon or application of your preferred tipple.......

(* delete as appropriate)

Just sayin!

How dare you.

 

[raleighnut]

You've either got a Brooks ar$e or you haven't.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Mine was comfortable from the outset. Never noticed any changes beyond. I did have to slacken off the tensioner bolt at first though, only a slither mind.