Tensioning a Brooks saddle.

[Brandane]

I have a Brooks B17 which has now covered a few thousand miles, so is well broken in and comfortable (as it has been from day 1). I have just been reading "It's all about the bike" by Robert Penn, and at one point in the book it refers to the fact that you should keep a Brooks saddle properly tensioned to maintain its comfort by adjusting the tensioner underneath the saddle.

I remember reading somewhere on here a while ago, that it was best to NEVER adjust the tensioner! Is there a reason for this school of thought? What problems does it cause if you DO adjust it? Just asking before I set about it with the spanner that came with the saddle.....

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

I never heard it suggested that they shouldn't be tensioned, doesn't make sense to me.

Obviously you should be cautious of over-doing it, so as not to stretch the leather.

However, in Brooks' terms I am a novice (but pleased to find that my backside is Brooks shaped).

 

[theloafer]

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22843

 

[Brandane]

Thanks both for your replies. Seems like I probably do need to adjust the tensioner; but only by small amounts!

 

[Ian H]

I have three Brookses between 15 and 28 years old. One of the older ones had to be tensioned once by just a small amount.

 

[srw]

If it's comfortable, why touch it?

 

[Old Plodder]

Just keep the top straight/flatish, just don't overdo it (or you end up breaking in again, & that's wasteful & pointless).

 

[Manonabike]

I have 5 brooks saddles and I laced two of them when I felt they needed a little tensioning