Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Non-Thorn Related => Topic started by: RST Scout on February 03, 2017, 11:03:20 pm
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When you proof your B17 does the colour change? Ie would the honey coloured one darken?
Janet
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Hi janet!
On my Brooks saddles, Proofide had no discernible effect on the black ones and did darken the honey one...even created a "blotchy" effect I found alarming at the time. After several days, the color evened out nicely and reverted to about 1/2 shade darker than the original untreated saddle. I'd call it "darker honey", not at all objectionable.
With perspiration and further use, the saddle is tending toward a "dark honey" color...about twice as dark as the disseminated Proofed appearance. I can post a photo if you'd like.
Best,
Dan
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I have a Brooks B17 Select purchased in November 2011. When it arrived it had a very light colouring, lighter than the honey version of the B17 Standard. I applied a layer of Proofhide and it immediately darkened slightly. I apply Proofhide every six months and have completed two three month tours and it continues to darken nicely.
I have a fledgling web site and have put some pictures up so you can see how the saddle changes over time. I am not sure if the standard B17 honey would age the same way but would be similar in darkening over time and with use.
http://www.touronabike.com/patina-on-the-brooks-b17-select/
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When you proof your B17 does the colour change? Ie would the honey coloured one darken?
Absolutely. After 20 minutes in neatsfoot oil my honey B73 turned an even midbrown, a colour it would approach only unevenly after several years of Proofide and perspiration.
You may ask why order a honey saddle (and grips, which I gave the same treatment) only immediately to darken them with neatsfoot oil. The answer is that the result is a lighter, even, dark tan than the Brooks factory brown, with greater depth to the color. I'm an artist so I'm sensitive to such distinctions.
I wipe the saddle lightly with the Brooks Proofide once or twice year to maintain protection because whatever oil or wax sinks in during a relatively short period for colouring a new saddle doesn't give permanent protection.
You can't soak it very long, say 12 hours or a whole day, without softening the leather, though there is a school of thought, of which I heard from the famous late American mechanic Sheldon Brown, which believes that instant break-in can be achieved by soaking a Brooks saddle for 24 hours in motor oil.)
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Yes they all darken with proof hiding. In fact they all eventually revert to dark brown, even the black ones taken on a dark brownish hue but it takes decades rather than years.
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Buy a black one.
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Due to the irritating fact that they hate water my 68's always have their waterproof covers fitted.
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Here's a before and after, with about 15K miles in between:
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r6/kukulaj/IMG_0911.jpg)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r6/kukulaj/Nomad/2016%2006%2012/IMG_2536_zps0mq67jqc.jpg)
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My honey B.17 Champion Special after years of riding and a light biennial Proofiding...
Best,
Dan.
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Buy a black one.
.........Yup.......... ;)
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My honey saddle came out much darker than Danneux's
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Hi janet!
With perspiration and further use, the saddle is tending toward a "dark honey" color...about twice as dark as the disseminated Proofed appearance. I can post a photo if you'd like.
Best,
Dan
Yes please, Dan. How often do you proof the saddle? I've never had a good leather saddle before and I'm rather remiss over my walking boots.
Janet
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I have a Brooks B17 Select purchased in November 2011. When it arrived it had a very light colouring, lighter than the honey version of the B17 Standard. I applied a layer of Proofhide and it immediately darkened slightly. I apply Proofhide every six months and have completed two three month tours and it continues to darken nicely.
I have a fledgling web site and have put some pictures up so you can see how the saddle changes over time. I am not sure if the standard B17 honey would age the same way but would be similar in darkening over time and with use.
http://www.touronabike.com/patina-on-the-brooks-b17-select/
Yes, I can see what you mean. And thanks for the link to your site, I'll peruse it at my leisure. BTW, Your tent, it it a Vango Pulsar? I've been looking at these online recently. Is it for two or three?
Dan, sorry didn't read all the messages before I asked you about proofing intervals.
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My honey B.17 Champion Special after years of riding and a light biennial Proofiding...
Best,
Dan.
Nice!
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My honey saddle came out much darker than Danneux's
Is this because you've proofed your's more than Dan has his?
Janet
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Dan, sorry didn't read all the messages before I asked you about proofing intervals.
No worries! :)
I would caution against overuse of Proofide...it can result in a too-soft saddle. For people who prefer a softer saddle, repeated and heavy applications of Proofide can hasten the break-in process, but it is easy to go too far. Some saddles offered by small shops with low turnover have sat in display cases for ages, sometimes in a window where they become sun-dried and acquire the flexibility of hardwood. These can benefit from a bit more Proofide. Far better, I've found, is to buy from a shop that sells in volume so you can be assured of a Brooks with some oils -- and flexibility -- remaining in the leather.
When I get a new saddle that is still flexible, I generally apply a light smear of Proofide across the underside (the rough part of the leather) and a light coating on top. I then leave it to sit overnight. Come morning, the saddle looks dull and slightly grey from the Proofide (which is now white but used to be red...still smells good to me). I then use a soft, clean cotton cloth to polish and buff off the excess Proofide and ride it. Once some little surface wrinkles begin to appear on the saddle under my sit-bones (ischial tuberosities), I give another light smear of Proofide to the top of the saddle only. That's pretty much it for another 1-2 years.
My scheme has worked well for me over a number of decades and Brooks saddles. Others will have their own pet schemes that work equally well for them. To each his or her own.
One note: I *always* use a waterproof saddle cover if it appears it will rain or if the bike is parked outside. Riding a wet saddle will quickly cause it to sag and lose shape. It is possible to remove the cover from the rails and reshape it, but this is more of an Advanced Operation best avoided.
Another note: Brooks saddles are handmade or natural materials. They are not all created equal. Some have ehm, "cosmetic variations" (i.e. are riveted crookedly on the rails or have nameplates that are askew). When I have found such to a disturbing degree, I usually ask for an exchange. Some of my saddles include hide scars from barb wire. These I take in stride. One thing I can't overlook are saddles made from hides I find too soft and stretchy. It happens. These I use and sell on quickly; many people prefer these examples which shape to one's profile very quickly; I do not because I find they tend to form a central ridge that is acutely uncomfortable to my perineal region . I much prefer the original domed shape or one that is only slightly indented. With my 45° back angle on brake hoods (less when riding the drops), I don't put much weight on the saddle, so a "good" one can easily accumulate about 10,000km before shaping deeply to me. A "bad" (too flexible in my view) example might do so in as little as 500km and is then sold on. As with saddle treatments, it is an individual thing. I've found fitting A Brooks saddle to a Thudbuster seatpost means a longer break-in time (good in my view) because the sharp jolts of a rigid seatpost are softened by suspension.
All the best,
Dan.
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Thanks for the information, Dan. I'll print it off.
I probably sit more upright than you so maybe I'll break mine in quicker ;) On the other hand some people seem to love them straight out of the box. Time will tell.
Cheers,
Janet
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i bough the brooks b17 champion i think it was green to match the sherpa copper rails and rivets great saddle as long as the rain didn't get to it :'(
the fizix alanti is a much better saddle imho ive been using them this past 12 years new one on my audax my son bought it for me. good lad that son of mine i trained him well ;)
anto.
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Is this because you've proofed your's more than Dan has his?
Janet
I think it's just from sweat. I live well south of Danneaux, and things are hotter here.