Brooks England B17 Titanium Rail Leather Saddle - Handmade in England

Maintenance

Maintaining your saddle will ensure it becomes comfortable and durable. Proofide is the only substance that should be used to care for leather saddles. Carefully formulated with special ingredients, it conditions, preserves, and waterproofs, helping to keep the leather supple and maintain its softness. With regular use, your saddle will adapt to your body and retain its beauty, comfort, and support. A new saddle should be treated at least once to help with "breaking in." Treat and protect your saddle from the elements. Never apply Proofide to a wet saddle. Apply a small amount of Proofide to the finished top surface of the leather, allow it to penetrate until dry. Wipe thoroughly with a soft cloth to prevent residual Proofide from staining clothing. Also apply Proofide to the underside of the saddle. Keep this coating to prevent dirt and moisture. During the "break-in" period, Proofide can be used multiple times. Periodically thereafter. Do not over-apply. After the break-in period, tensioning the saddle to maintain its shape and comfort is normal and appropriate. To tension the leather top, rotate the nose bolt nut clockwise, 90° at a time, checking after each rotation until the desired tension is achieved. You can use the tension wrench or an Allen key.

F.A.Q.

Which Brooks saddle is right for me?

Our leather saddles come in different shapes and styles, depending on the type of bicycle or riding posture. For example, wider saddles with springs are ideal for an upright, 90-degree posture. Medium widths are generally used for touring or commuting when the rider's spine is at a 45 to 60-degree position. In general, the more athletic the riding position, the narrower the saddle.

Why do I need to break in my leather saddle?

Due to the tanning process and the significant handling during the shaping process in our factory, new leather is tough. This makes the fibers very strong, but also quite stiff. "Breaking in" is the process where the saddle leather becomes softer and more elastic. Time, effort, and care are key to keeping your leather saddle in optimal condition. Primarily through riding, the leather will conform to your body shape and become more flexible. Over time, the natural movement of the leather will act like a hammock when riding. But be careful not to let the leather sag too low, as this could cause it to contact the metal structure and potentially lead to saddle failure, not to mention discomfort, as you might be sitting on the upper rails or even the seatpost itself in some models.