Re: [CR]Brooks saddles

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

From: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <18b.23e0513f.2d1f83db@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Brooks saddles
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 20:22:24 -0500



----- Original Message -----
From: NortonMarg@aol.com
To: jtperry@worldnet.att.net


<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2003 7:54 PM Subject: Re: [CR]Brooks saddles


> In a message dated 12/27/03 1:43:42 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> jtperry@worldnet.att.net writes:
>
> > Oil first, then tap w/ ball of ball peen hammer. Or you WILL crack her.
> > Start w/ light taps and as she "breaks in" increase force. But never wail
> > on
> > her. A good half hour will do wonders. Double time if she is still
> > recalcitrant.

Wow. I must be doing something wrong. I've been riding on Brooks (and Wrights) saddles since I was 9 years old. I have never once found the need to pound, beat or otherwise torture them to be comfortable. I have never soaked them in neets foot oil, baked or boiled them. Almost never had to "tension" them.

I guess I am of the old-fashioned sort who thinks a saddle is supposed to support not be a glove-leather upholstered armchair. Indeed the least comfortable Brooks I have ridden was one that was soaked, beat and or boiled. It's like riding on a dead eel.

Regular use and sparing use of Proofhide is the ticket. But I do know what you mean by the occasional "thicker" leather on B-17Ns. I got one recently like that on eBay; it's brand new so maybe British bovines, having survived Mad Cow Disease, just have thicker hides now.

Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA