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New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 6th 06, 12:55 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
[email protected]
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Posts: 173
Default New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question

I am anxiously awaiting delivery of a Brooks B17 CS
http://www.wallbike.com/b17cscopper.html . My stock OEM Velo seat is
not terribly uncomfortable for rides less than 30 minutes, but any
longer than that, I suspect I am sitting on a piece of junk. I am not
in terrible pain at that point, but there is some discomfort. I am
6'4", 225lbs. I use this bike mainly to commute on city streets, 5
miles twice daily.

I am trying to get a feel for how many people have trouble adjusting to
new Brooks saddles. There are certainly many previous threads in RBT
about Brooks saddles. Some people report they can use these saddles
with little or no break-in. Others report that no matter what they do,
they can't get used to the saddle, despite their best efforts at
conditioning the leather.

Sheldon Browne suggests the fastest way to break in a new leather
saddle is to *soak* it in neatsfoot oil
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html . I already ordered the
Proofide, so I could do that as an alternative.

When I get new stuff, I like to use it without unnecessary delay. Is
there a consensus on the best method to condition a new Brooks B17?
Hopefully overnight will be long enough. (I know there will be ongoing
maintenance and rain-awareness.)

I am really excited about this new bike enhancement. I'm not sure I
will *ever* get this Pocket Tourist exactly right...

TIA - Jay

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  #2  
Old September 6th 06, 01:02 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Smokey
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Posts: 180
Default New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question


wrote:
I am anxiously awaiting delivery of a Brooks B17 CS
http://www.wallbike.com/b17cscopper.html . My stock OEM Velo seat is
not terribly uncomfortable for rides less than 30 minutes, but any
longer than that, I suspect I am sitting on a piece of junk. I am not
in terrible pain at that point, but there is some discomfort. I am
6'4", 225lbs. I use this bike mainly to commute on city streets, 5
miles twice daily.

I am trying to get a feel for how many people have trouble adjusting to
new Brooks saddles. There are certainly many previous threads in RBT
about Brooks saddles. Some people report they can use these saddles
with little or no break-in. Others report that no matter what they do,
they can't get used to the saddle, despite their best efforts at
conditioning the leather.

Sheldon Browne suggests the fastest way to break in a new leather
saddle is to *soak* it in neatsfoot oil
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html . I already ordered the
Proofide, so I could do that as an alternative.

When I get new stuff, I like to use it without unnecessary delay. Is
there a consensus on the best method to condition a new Brooks B17?
Hopefully overnight will be long enough. (I know there will be ongoing
maintenance and rain-awareness.)

I am really excited about this new bike enhancement. I'm not sure I
will *ever* get this Pocket Tourist exactly right...

TIA - Jay


Jay, I am exactly the same height and weight as you and have broken in
two Brooks saddles, a B-17 and a Champion Flyer. I only used the
Proofhide and don't overdo it, a little goes a long ways. Be sure to
put some on the underside if you're going to ride without fenders and
think you might get caught out in the rain sometime. Both my Brooks
were comfortable right from the start and only got better as I rode
them more. I think you'll like your saddle a lot.

Smokey

  #4  
Old September 6th 06, 01:04 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Vee
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Posts: 71
Default New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question


wrote:
I am anxiously awaiting delivery of a Brooks B17 CS
http://www.wallbike.com/b17cscopper.html . My stock OEM Velo seat is
not terribly uncomfortable for rides less than 30 minutes, but any
longer than that, I suspect I am sitting on a piece of junk. I am not
in terrible pain at that point, but there is some discomfort. I am
6'4", 225lbs. I use this bike mainly to commute on city streets, 5
miles twice daily.

I am trying to get a feel for how many people have trouble adjusting to
new Brooks saddles. There are certainly many previous threads in RBT
about Brooks saddles. Some people report they can use these saddles
with little or no break-in. Others report that no matter what they do,
they can't get used to the saddle, despite their best efforts at
conditioning the leather.

Sheldon Browne suggests the fastest way to break in a new leather
saddle is to *soak* it in neatsfoot oil
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html . I already ordered the
Proofide, so I could do that as an alternative.

When I get new stuff, I like to use it without unnecessary delay. Is
there a consensus on the best method to condition a new Brooks B17?


No, there is no consensus. I used Neatsfoot Oil on both my Swift and
Professional. The Professional is perfect, but the Swift became too
soft for me (still rideable, but I wish I hadn't done it). I think the
thicker leather on the Professional made the difference. Both are
stilll cosmetically and physically fine in other respects after 3-4k
miles.

-Vee

  #5  
Old September 6th 06, 01:27 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
(PeteCresswell)
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Posts: 2,790
Default New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question

Per (PeteCresswell):
Absolutely no hope, IMHO, and I sent it back to Wallingford for a
refund. Seemed to me like they used some sort of process/impregnation on the
leather on that one.


I think that what I'm trying to say here is that if it's not reasonably
comfortable out of the box, send it back.
--
PeteCresswell
  #6  
Old September 6th 06, 01:50 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
landotter
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,336
Default New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question


wrote:
I am anxiously awaiting delivery of a Brooks B17 CS
http://www.wallbike.com/b17cscopper.html . My stock OEM Velo seat is
not terribly uncomfortable for rides less than 30 minutes, but any
longer than that, I suspect I am sitting on a piece of junk. I am not
in terrible pain at that point, but there is some discomfort. I am
6'4", 225lbs. I use this bike mainly to commute on city streets, 5
miles twice daily.

I am trying to get a feel for how many people have trouble adjusting to
new Brooks saddles. There are certainly many previous threads in RBT
about Brooks saddles. Some people report they can use these saddles
with little or no break-in.


It should be comfy from day one after just a couple miles. It should be
a little nicer on day two.

Don't use any oil or conditioners EVER on a b17. Clear shoe polish or
wax for horse tack is fine, as it sits on the surface. Fenders are
really a must, but you can put shoe polish or their overpriced
proprietary stuff on the bottom.

They fit some butts so hopefully it's a good interface, but don't void
wallbike's fantastic money back guarantee by putting futile goop on it.

I rode b17s and Flyers for years, before I tried a really nice plastic
shelled saddle. I'll never go back to the inconsistency of leather, but
it sure looks nice.

Oh, and despite what folks say, the tension nut is there for a reason.
With a few thousand miles per year, mine were getting turned one turn
per year for several years, and no ridge developed, they just stayed
firm. Of course, if the saddle feels right, don't mess with it.

  #7  
Old September 6th 06, 02:00 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Michael Press
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,100
Default New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question

In article
. com,
" wrote:

I am anxiously awaiting delivery of a Brooks B17 CS
http://www.wallbike.com/b17cscopper.html . My stock OEM Velo seat is
not terribly uncomfortable for rides less than 30 minutes, but any
longer than that, I suspect I am sitting on a piece of junk. I am not
in terrible pain at that point, but there is some discomfort. I am
6'4", 225lbs. I use this bike mainly to commute on city streets, 5
miles twice daily.

I am trying to get a feel for how many people have trouble adjusting to
new Brooks saddles. There are certainly many previous threads in RBT
about Brooks saddles. Some people report they can use these saddles
with little or no break-in. Others report that no matter what they do,
they can't get used to the saddle, despite their best efforts at
conditioning the leather.

Sheldon Browne suggests the fastest way to break in a new leather
saddle is to *soak* it in neatsfoot oil
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html . I already ordered the
Proofide, so I could do that as an alternative.

When I get new stuff, I like to use it without unnecessary delay. Is
there a consensus on the best method to condition a new Brooks B17?
Hopefully overnight will be long enough. (I know there will be ongoing
maintenance and rain-awareness.)


Once you put oil in a stretched leather saddle you cannot
undo it, so be very hesitant. Oil makes the saddle soft,
and common sense will tell you that that is a good thing.
'Tis'nt so.

I have never put oil on a saddle. My very old and very new
Brooks saddles are identical in that knocking on them with
my knuckle gives a hollow wood block sound. The test is
not how the saddle feels to your hand, it is how it feels
to the base of your spine. Put your ischeal tuberosities
on the sweet spot of the saddle and feel what happens as
you roll over road bumps. The leather gives way and does
not rebound vigorously. The leather buffers the road
shock, rather than your spinal discs.

Here is how I maintain the saddle with Proofide. Put the
saddle inverted under an ordinary 100 watt incandescent
light bulb, and put a good coating of Proofide on the
underside. Leave it overnight. The proofide migrates all
the way out to the riding surface. Wipe and ride wearing
black knickers. Some new saddles have had the saturation
treatment at the factory. This is evident by a waxy fog on
the riding surface.

As for `breaking in', I do not see it. I put a brand new
Brooks Professional on a new bike and it felt the same to
me as the 15 year old saddle on the older bike.

--
Michael Press
  #8  
Old September 6th 06, 02:09 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Patrick Lamb
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 425
Default New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question

On 5 Sep 2006 16:55:43 -0700, "
wrote:
I am anxiously awaiting delivery of a Brooks B17 CS
http://www.wallbike.com/b17cscopper.html . My stock OEM Velo seat is
not terribly uncomfortable for rides less than 30 minutes, but any
longer than that, I suspect I am sitting on a piece of junk. I am not
in terrible pain at that point, but there is some discomfort. I am
6'4", 225lbs. I use this bike mainly to commute on city streets, 5
miles twice daily.

I am trying to get a feel for how many people have trouble adjusting to
new Brooks saddles. There are certainly many previous threads in RBT
about Brooks saddles. Some people report they can use these saddles
with little or no break-in. Others report that no matter what they do,
they can't get used to the saddle, despite their best efforts at
conditioning the leather.


I put some Proofhide on each of my two B-17s before use -- top and
bottom, polish off the top. Neither was ever uncomfortable. The
honey one was good at 100 miles, great at 500. (Alas, 10,000 miles
and 5 years later, I'm afraid I overtightened it, and it may need to
be replaced.) The newer black B-17 was comfortable immediately, and
disappeared from tactile sensory notification by 100 miles.

I feel sorry for those people whose ass doesn't fit a Brooks.

Pat

Email address works as is.
  #9  
Old September 6th 06, 02:29 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 173
Default New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question

Hi Michael,

You are right; I am mainly concerned that whatever I might do to
condition my new saddle cannot be undone. That would be really
depressing.

I think when my new saddle arrives, I will just attach it and go for a
ride. My commute is relatively short, so adjustments can be made
easily, as time goes on.

I think I did my homework on this purchase, but I now have as many
questions as answers. Hey- that happens sometimes!

Thanks to all for the thoughtful replies - this thread is far from
closed...

- Jay


Michael Press wrote:
In article
. com,
" wrote:

I am anxiously awaiting delivery of a Brooks B17 CS
http://www.wallbike.com/b17cscopper.html . My stock OEM Velo seat is
not terribly uncomfortable for rides less than 30 minutes, but any
longer than that, I suspect I am sitting on a piece of junk. I am not
in terrible pain at that point, but there is some discomfort. I am
6'4", 225lbs. I use this bike mainly to commute on city streets, 5
miles twice daily.

I am trying to get a feel for how many people have trouble adjusting to
new Brooks saddles. There are certainly many previous threads in RBT
about Brooks saddles. Some people report they can use these saddles
with little or no break-in. Others report that no matter what they do,
they can't get used to the saddle, despite their best efforts at
conditioning the leather.

Sheldon Browne suggests the fastest way to break in a new leather
saddle is to *soak* it in neatsfoot oil
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html . I already ordered the
Proofide, so I could do that as an alternative.

When I get new stuff, I like to use it without unnecessary delay. Is
there a consensus on the best method to condition a new Brooks B17?
Hopefully overnight will be long enough. (I know there will be ongoing
maintenance and rain-awareness.)


Once you put oil in a stretched leather saddle you cannot
undo it, so be very hesitant. Oil makes the saddle soft,
and common sense will tell you that that is a good thing.
'Tis'nt so.

I have never put oil on a saddle. My very old and very new
Brooks saddles are identical in that knocking on them with
my knuckle gives a hollow wood block sound. The test is
not how the saddle feels to your hand, it is how it feels
to the base of your spine. Put your ischeal tuberosities
on the sweet spot of the saddle and feel what happens as
you roll over road bumps. The leather gives way and does
not rebound vigorously. The leather buffers the road
shock, rather than your spinal discs.

Here is how I maintain the saddle with Proofide. Put the
saddle inverted under an ordinary 100 watt incandescent
light bulb, and put a good coating of Proofide on the
underside. Leave it overnight. The proofide migrates all
the way out to the riding surface. Wipe and ride wearing
black knickers. Some new saddles have had the saturation
treatment at the factory. This is evident by a waxy fog on
the riding surface.

As for `breaking in', I do not see it. I put a brand new
Brooks Professional on a new bike and it felt the same to
me as the 15 year old saddle on the older bike.

--
Michael Press


  #10  
Old September 6th 06, 02:42 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default New Brooks B17 Conditioning Question


wrote:
I am anxiously awaiting delivery of a Brooks B17 CS
http://www.wallbike.com/b17cscopper.html . My stock OEM Velo seat is
not terribly uncomfortable for rides less than 30 minutes, but any
longer than that, I suspect I am sitting on a piece of junk. I am not
in terrible pain at that point, but there is some discomfort. I am
6'4", 225lbs. I use this bike mainly to commute on city streets, 5
miles twice daily.

I am trying to get a feel for how many people have trouble adjusting to
new Brooks saddles. There are certainly many previous threads in RBT
about Brooks saddles. Some people report they can use these saddles
with little or no break-in. Others report that no matter what they do,
they can't get used to the saddle, despite their best efforts at
conditioning the leather.

Sheldon Browne suggests the fastest way to break in a new leather
saddle is to *soak* it in neatsfoot oil
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html . I already ordered the
Proofide, so I could do that as an alternative.

When I get new stuff, I like to use it without unnecessary delay. Is
there a consensus on the best method to condition a new Brooks B17?
Hopefully overnight will be long enough. (I know there will be ongoing
maintenance and rain-awareness.)

I am really excited about this new bike enhancement. I'm not sure I
will *ever* get this Pocket Tourist exactly right...

TIA - Jay


Jay,
neetsfoot oil works with repeated applications. Turn the bike or
saddle upside down and use a 1" paint brush to brush a liberal amount
on the entire raw leather. Repeat this 6 to 15 times and letting it
soak in overnight between applications. After the first 3 or 4 ride
thesaddle to work the oil in. If,by some miracle it gets too soft
tighten the bolt underrneath the nose of the saddle. The oil also
protects the lather from water damage.

To prevent saddle sores Chamois Butter works well when applied to the
rider and the chamois. Synthetic chamois is less comfortable than
natural chamois. Ordinary materials need to be smooth to reduce
friction. After the first 10,000 miles one gets used to untreated
saddles. the oil speeds things up.

froggy

 




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