Do you like Brooks bike saddles?

[vash]

I tore my cyclocross seat. Been considering putting a Brooks on there? Is there a break in period? I think a brown saddle would look cool. Add some blue grip tape.. Maybe some panniers and fenders to convert it into a full grocery getter as well as my exercise ride.

[sc_rufctr]

They're very good but they do take some breaking in.

Back in the day we used sump oil to speed up the break in period. Just slop it on trying not to get it all over your bike. Let it soak for a while and wipe it off and then go for a ride using some old shorts.
If I had to break one in now I would use something like this instead of sump oil.

Obenauf's Leather OiL



From memory they have a real life time warranty. I don't know if they still do.
Once you have them broken in you wont want anything else although a good Italian made saddle can be just as good but not as durable.

[sammyg2]

I rode a brooks for several years when in my late teens/early 20's. Had gobs of saddle soap and all sorts of other conditioners packed under the seat at all times trying to soften it up.

I am convinced that brooks saddles never break in. You break in to conform to them.

There are better seats out there right out of the box, but they don't have that snobby allure.
If I were to do it again I would not buy a brooks.

[bkreigsr]

I'm still using the Brooks that came on my 71 Raleigh Competition. It has since transgressed onto my StumpJumper that I bring to track DE events. It's going on 44 years of continuous use.
As far as break-in - I can show you the two indents made from my hip bones that none of my other saddles have evolved to. (Master's NeatsFoot Treatment.)
As the vintage models have become more desirable, I'm very careful where I leave it at night while away. - it gets locked in the tow vehicle.
Bill K

[look 171]

Vash,

Why do you think they did away with Brooks saddles? A modern saddle is a lot more comfy then having to break in a fat old hard leather saddle. I am a big fan of Prologo saddles or any of the Sella Italia ones. Specialized also make a great saddle that's comfortable out of the box. Why suffer. I know saddles are very personal. Get something firm, with a little padding and go riding. what? You trying to be a hard ass?

[look 171]

Some shops have a saddle loan program. They allow you to try their saddle on your bike for a short period of a few days. The draw back is that you have to buy from them. I would give that a go.

[Laneco]

There are bikes (e.g. vintage builds) where a Brooks saddle looks absolutely perfect. But the emphasis is on LOOKS... Everyone says "oh you just have to break it in..." which takes a long long time. It's like when someone says "oh Liver tastes AWESOME you just have to know how to cook it..." Walk away. Run away if possible.

For much less money, less weight and FAR less pain in the hiney, you can have any number of saddles. I've got three Terry's, and two Specialized Geometry saddles. One of the Terry's is on my 24 hour bike. It has suffered through about a dozen 24 hour races. I need to consider replacing as I've worn the leather nearly through. I can ride that for 24 hours and the hiney doesn't hurt. Pretty much everything else is shot...but the hiney is fine!!

angela

[LEAKYSEALS951]

If you said vintage, go with brooks...
but you said cyclocross!!!!
Brooks is too classy to get all muddy like that, especially with the fancy steel rails/ springs that some models have. It will get all packed with mud and dinged up from falling, and then one day you are gonna miss a mount/dismount and your crown jewels are gonna get bedazzled on that famous brooks leather!
Good luck in your search.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I am convinced that brooks saddles never break in. You break in to conform to them.

There are better seats out there right out of the box, but they don't have that snobby allure

Agree with everything here - especially the bolded bit.

[intakexhaust]

I use Brooks saddles on a few bikes. Saddles are the most subjective piece of a bike and no one is the same. They're not for everyone but can be perfect for another.

First off, they're not pricey and have purchased them new for $50 each. Genuine that is.

They make many different models and styles. A Brooks saddle just doesn't end with the name. Get a narrow type something like a B15 Swallow if riding a racer and in the drops. The B17 versions having a skirt are more apt to touring / sport class. We also use the B17 Imperial (center cutout) on the tandem because its not ridden as often. I have a B67 (coils) on an old upright touring. The list goes on.

Its a 'hammock' principle and they work as a suspension. The leather takes time to conform to YOUR azz. Don't bother buying a used one unless you have the same identical azz as the seller.....LOL.

Coat it once with Brooks 'Proofide'. Don't over saturate and don't use anything else. You don't want it soft! Don't expect a sample ride or demo to make a determination. You must give it time and miles.

In foul weather, cover and ride with a baggy that encloses both top and bottom. I store them under the under the saddle.

Most are heavier in weight. There's some with titanium rails but I have no experience with them.

There's a new model named the Cambium (C15 and C17 style). Made in Italy with a rubber base and cloth top. Its on my want list for a modern cross bike.

If you're really interested in a custom Brooks type, I could recommend an excellent individual who uses Brooks frames but his own formed design saddles. I have two from him and are outstanding. He can also tool any name or logo into them. Cost is usually less than the list price of a Brooks.

edit: I do ride other bikes with contemporary and modern saddles. In no way can you take my suggestion or others as the perfect answer. All I can say is if you're interested in a Brooks model, determine your riding application and discipline and get that model. Coat it per instructions. Ride it with patience and give it time. I should add, one would be surprised on how many ride with the incorrect saddle tilt. Doesn't matter what brand. Highly suggest to try different tilt adjustments until its dialed in to maximum comfort.

[Por_sha911]

I like Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles

[CurtEgerer]

I recently heard Brooks saddles described as 'catnip for the skinny jeans crowd' No personal experience with one myself.

[jyl]

I have some Brooks saddles. Currently an old Professional, a B17, a titanium Swift.

The different models have different shapes. Generally the wider ones are more suited to upright riding, the narrower to racy riding. They do break in somewhat. They are all heavy. Rain doesn't make them happy, unless they are protected from above with a cover and from below with fenders. You don't actually need to treat them with proofide, neatsfoot oil, or anything else, more than annually, if that. Too much softening of the leather will shorten their life.

In my opinion, unless you like the look, or have a very fussy ass, there isn't any great reason to insist on a Brooks.

My ass is happy on most any saddle so I usually don't buy Brooks saddles, unless they happen to come on a bike. Lately I've been into superlight vintage saddles. The titanium Swift is about to be replaced by a Concor Superleggera to save half a pound.

[greglepore]

On a cross bike? nfw.

[vash]

Originally Posted by greglepore

On a cross bike? nfw.

i've been on a trail once. not a fan with the Surly. i'm just not that good.

i only ride it on the road, for exercise, and commuting, some general grocery runs.
but i hear you loud and CLEAR

thanks everyone.

[overrestored]

brooks saddles look right on old bikes... but they are not for everyone.

Here's a green B17 on my daily driver single speed...

[Ferraripete]

a classic. rode them early in my racing days. have long since moved on to better.

[HardDrive]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I like brooks saddles. Are modern ones better out of the box? Of course. But their very durable, and they do break in.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by overrestored

brooks saddles look right on old bikes... but they are not for everyone.

Here's a green B17 on my daily driver single speed...

Nice! Got the spirits covered! If you move to Oregon, you can use the back rack for a little cigar box for your legal stash! (But I suppose you could just put your Brie and Havarti in a little basket with a few crackers, eh?)

I can't figure out what the bungee cord is from the forks to the downtube. Can you enlighten me?