Brooks B17 saddle - proofhide?

iclestu

the bumpf that came with this saddle on my new bike says i gotta obtain proofhide and apply it underside etc etc.

I havent.

I know its a traditional leather jobbie im gonna mould to the shape of my own ass cheeks yadda yadda yadda but do I REALLY need to get this snakeoil?

CiB

Dubbin. All you need to know.

prawny

You've got to protect the bottom from water, if you're running guards probably wont be an issue, but the proofhide get sucked into the leather and softens it up too.

I'd look at a Brooks as an ivestment, if you treat it right you wont need another saddle as long as it fits you. My father in law gave his to a clubmate when he quit cycling in his 40's, it's still in regular use now, my father in law is 83.

iclestu

CiB wrote:

Dubbin. All you need to know.

dubbin?!

That the same as gubbin?

nicklouse

iclestu wrote:

CiB wrote:

Dubbin. All you need to know.

dubbin?!

That the same as gubbin?

Dubbin and Proofhide are basically the same thing.

Dubbin from the days of leather walking boots.

iclestu

prawny wrote:

You've got to protect the bottom from water, if you're running guards probably wont be an issue, but the proofhide get sucked into the leather and softens it up too.

so as long as the bottom stays dry (full mudguards) all the proofhide's gonna do is hasten the breaking in process?

Hoopdriver

prawny wrote:

You've got to protect the bottom from water, if you're running guards probably wont be an issue, but the proofhide get sucked into the leather and softens it up too.

I'd look at a Brooks as an ivestment, if you treat it right you wont need another saddle as long as it fits you. My father in law gave his to a clubmate when he quit cycling in his 40's, it's still in regular use now, my father in law is 83.

Quite right. It's not a big job or just bumf - leather does require that extra bit of maintenance if you want it to last. Apply some beneath the saddle and then, occasionally, on the surface. You wipe off the stuff on the surface but let the stuff you apply underneath soak in. Easily done, not expensive - a tub of Proofhide lasts a long time. I expect you could use something else, but I bought the proprietary Proofhide, and as I say, it hardly broke the bank. I've been riding on Brooks saddles for thirty years and they are worth the investment.

iclestu

Hoopdriver wrote:

prawny wrote:

You've got to protect the bottom from water, if you're running guards probably wont be an issue, but the proofhide get sucked into the leather and softens it up too.

I'd look at a Brooks as an ivestment, if you treat it right you wont need another saddle as long as it fits you. My father in law gave his to a clubmate when he quit cycling in his 40's, it's still in regular use now, my father in law is 83.

Quite right. It's not a big job or just bumf - leather does require that extra bit of maintenance if you want it to last. Apply some beneath the saddle and then, occasionally, on the surface. You wipe off the stuff on the surface but let the stuff you apply underneath soak in. Easily done, not expensive - a tub of Proofhide lasts a long time. I expect you could use something else, but I bought the proprietary Proofhide, and as I say, it hardly broke the bank. I've been riding on Brooks saddles for thirty years and they are worth the investment.

yeah - fair enough. You convinced me. Ordered some

SimonAH

Bit late, but FWIW I used some olive oil underneath and leather polish (shoe) on top. Two years later no issues.