Stretching a Brookes saddle...

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I have a B17..it's about a year old and is well worn in and comfy. However it does seem a little 'saggy' in the sitbone region recently...is this normal and should I be stretching it with the huge nut&bolt assembly underneath it? I have heard some say it's a goodthing, others say it's a quick way to ruin a good saddle...I have the brookes key that came with it, I assume they issue it for a reason?

What should I do?

 

[spandex]

tighten it up

 

[Danny]

...but not too tight.

 

[spandex]

Don't you like it tight?

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

if i tighten it and then dont like it can I loosen it again or will the leather forever be stretched?

 

[Danny]

You can always loosen it.

I generally tighten mine a small amount to begin with, and then try ridding on it, and tighten it a bit more if it still feels saggy. Occasionally I've managed to make it too hard but have never had a problem releasing the tension.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Throw it away and buy a decent saddle.

 

[Chuffy]

Oh dear.
In theory Brooks saddles can be tightened but once you start playing with the bolt it all goes horribly wrong. How did you treat the saddle when you got it?

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

...proof ride and kept it dry religiously. It's no big deal I am probably being pedandik aagin!

 

[Chuffy]

They do settle a little and spread slightly. This is normal. Playing with your bolt sends you blind is the beginning of the end. You might have more luck drilling and lacing the sides to help the saddle keep its shape.

 

[Abitrary]

I bought one recently, and apart from the fact that it needs breaking in, you just can't get a sweet grippy spot on it - especially in lycra shorts.

Ebay material.

 

[robbarker]

I'm with Chuffy. They do feel different when broken-in, but the tension is set very carefully at the factory and is best left alone unless it's getting uncomfortable.

 

[Smokin Joe]

There is a myth that a Brookes "breaks in" during use. What actually happens is that your arse hideously deforms over time to replicate the shape of the saddle. This process is so traumatic that your teeth turn yellow and become crooked as bits of them break off.

This is why Brookes users turn into miserable bad tempered old bastards who cannot speak without shouting at everyone.

 

[Chuffy]

There is a myth that a Brookes "breaks in" during use. What actually happens is that your arse hideously deforms over time to replicate the shape of the saddle. This process is so traumatic that your teeth turn yellow and become crooked as bits of them break off.

This is why Brookes users turn into miserable bad tempered old bastards who cannot speak without shouting at everyone.

LEARN TO SPELL BROOKS PROPERLY YOU IGNORANT APE-DANGLER!

 

[Smokin Joe]

Oi!

It is Bigtallfatbloke you should be having a go at, leatherarse. I only copied him. (I thought he had cocked up, but I didn't want to publicly humiliate him).