Exactly what Terence is saying to do to your saddle is right , from day one , use the leather treatment, get some under ( I know it’s a bit awkward to get in all the right spots ) the saddle too , I’ve done it once in 4 years . On top I proofide twice a year and I have a awesome but stiff saddle . I believe using this method you should have a wonderful saddle for many years and even to a point that you will only to buy this saddle only once . Please don’t get too hung up about the care of this saddle as I’ve received a brooks saddle that had no care for 5 years and with a bit of care and adjustment it’s still a comfortable saddle , sure it’s weather beaten and basically ruined but it’s still comfortable and I’m going to use it on on road bike and keep the proofide up too it .
I bought a Brooks B17 Flyer Select (Honey) in 2013 and applied Proofide 3 times in 6 days to the top as I wanted it to take my shape quicker and left to dry overnight before polishing. To do the underside I first used a toothbrush to get into the hard to reach areas, but read somewhere it was best to pour it in as a liquid. To do this get a small bowl of hot water, use half a teaspoons-worth and put it into the up-turned lid and float it on the water, the hot water melts the Proofide into a liquid, then it can be poured out of the lid around the metal at the nose of the saddle, then repeat the same procedure to pour it around the horseshoe plate at the rear and left it to dry instead of polishing. I reproof the top (not the sides) every 6 months or so, leave it to dry overnight and the polish the top the next day. Over the the last few years, I’ve noticed it’s starting to form what looks like weals in the leather top under my left sit bone. I have Scoliosis (my spine is twisted to the left) so there is the possibility the saddle might be on the way out, it’s still comfy to ride, though it can be a bit uncomfortable occasionally if I ride a long way.
I'd suggest that twice a year is plenty enough for applying proofide to your Brooks, a little goes a long way. I leave mine overnight to fully soak in before buffing and one can will last several years. 🙂
Lex Man I hope you enjoy the saddle ...no saddle is perfect but using a brooks and a good pair of knicks , I can ride the all day with minimal discomfort. .....and best part is you don’t hate your bike at the end of a ride because your butt has had a nice place to sit
@@byronquirk5140 I always wear padded knics ..don’t get too technical over break-in , get your butt on the seat and ride . My brooks was much better than cheap saddles from day one .
Yes I do believe you’re right, although I’ve followed this routine for years now and have been very happy with my saddle. Having said that I’ll be doing a new video soon and may remove this one.
I just ordered the proof hide and a saddle, so is this the actual instructions to just apply it to the underside??? That's amazing as every youtuber demonstrating its use is applying it to the top only😲
I just went to the Brooks Saddle website and they say "Use a soft cloth - Apply a thin layer of Proofide to cover the entire upper surface of the leather - Leave on for a minimum of one hour and allow it to penetrate through the surface - With a clean, dry and soft cloth, vigorously and thoroughly buff the leather surface until all the remaining Proofide will be removed and a healthy sheen will be returned. Proofide also acts to soften the leather and, if applied too frequently, there might be risk of over-softening the leather to the point that it will no longer to support the weight of the rider. Because of this, apply Proofide only every 6 months." So, which way is correct????
About two months ago, I noticed something happening to the leather around the rivets of my Brooks B17 - it looks like very shallow cuts at angle. Since then the number of these has increased slowly. It can’t be due to drying as the saddle is very pliable. I bought the saddle in March 2020 and have used it in all weathers since then to do about 8500Km. I have kept it well moisturised with Proofide. About two weeks ago I noticed that it was feeling very bouncy while riding and so yesterday I used the tensioning spanner for the first time. I have turned it one complete turn, but it doesn’t seem to be stiffening up again. I purchased the saddle in the UK, but at the moment I am touring in the Balkans. Therefore, it would be difficult to send to Brooks. It could be many months or even a year before I return to the UK. Can you please advise a reason and a cure?
Sorry to hear of your problem, it’s difficult to say what your issue is. It may be an issue with the quality of the leather, although I’ve not come across this before. How often have you been applying the wax? I have heard of applying it too frequently over softening the leather. If it’s sagging I would try tightening it further, it’s normally better to do it gradually but doesn’t sound like you have many options.
@@terrysallbikes Thank you for taking the time to reply. When I first got the saddle I was applying it every couple of weeks to try and speed up the breaking in period. Since then I have been applying it every couple of months.
Don’t get too hung up about it ....I’ve received a saddle with 5 years of neglect , sure it’s ruin but it’s still comfortable and I’m rubbing the proofide in and using it now ( still better than a vinyl cheap saddle by far )
@@lena19191 i bought the brooks maintence set already... fuck that 15€. Didnt want to mess up my b17, i love that thing... even thought about making love whit it...😉🤣👍
Exactly what Terence is saying to do to your saddle is right , from day one , use the leather treatment, get some under ( I know it’s a bit awkward to get in all the right spots ) the saddle too , I’ve done it once in 4 years . On top I proofide twice a year and I have a awesome but stiff saddle . I believe using this method you should have a wonderful saddle for many years and even to a point that you will only to buy this saddle only once . Please don’t get too hung up about the care of this saddle as I’ve received a brooks saddle that had no care for 5 years and with a bit of care and adjustment it’s still a comfortable saddle , sure it’s weather beaten and basically ruined but it’s still comfortable and I’m going to use it on on road bike and keep the proofide up too it .
Thanks for your comment and your advice is appreciated
I bought a Brooks B17 Flyer Select (Honey) in 2013 and applied Proofide 3 times in 6 days to the top as I wanted it to take my shape quicker and left to dry overnight before polishing. To do the underside I first used a toothbrush to get into the hard to reach areas, but read somewhere it was best to pour it in as a liquid. To do this get a small bowl of hot water, use half a teaspoons-worth and put it into the up-turned lid and float it on the water, the hot water melts the Proofide into a liquid, then it can be poured out of the lid around the metal at the nose of the saddle, then repeat the same procedure to pour it around the horseshoe plate at the rear and left it to dry instead of polishing.
I reproof the top (not the sides) every 6 months or so, leave it to dry overnight and the polish the top the next day. Over the the last few years, I’ve noticed it’s starting to form what looks like weals in the leather top under my left sit bone. I have Scoliosis (my spine is twisted to the left) so there is the possibility the saddle might be on the way out, it’s still comfy to ride, though it can be a bit uncomfortable occasionally if I ride a long way.
I’ve never heard about this method, however although it may work I’m not sure it’s necessary,
I use the same products on my saddle as I do on fine leather shoes. My B68 is over 20 years old and looks shiny new.
Hace poco compré uno de segunda mano, pero en muy buen estado y estoy muy contento con su desempeño. Ahora a cuidarlo
Sorry I don’t speak Spanish
terence i love how you care for this masterpiece. i do too.
Thanks
I'd suggest that twice a year is plenty enough for applying proofide to your Brooks, a little goes a long way. I leave mine overnight to fully soak in before buffing and one can will last several years. 🙂
Derek Young yep agree ...my saddle is awesome . Would buy nothing else but brooks
Lex Man I hope you enjoy the saddle ...no saddle is perfect but using a brooks and a good pair of knicks , I can ride the all day with minimal discomfort. .....and best part is you don’t hate your bike at the end of a ride because your butt has had a nice place to sit
@@lena19191 Do you use padded bike shorts when riding? I'm wondering how that affects the break in fit.
@@byronquirk5140 I always wear padded knics ..don’t get too technical over break-in , get your butt on the seat and ride . My brooks was much better than cheap saddles from day one .
@@lena19191 Thanks!
Lovely, it looks like a rather pleasing chore, IMHO.
Indeed!
There is an ASMR quality to this
🤔😂😂
Nice little video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your comment
Lovely video mate. Maybe the raw leather underneath would soak up the oils more and the benefit would be greater :-)
I can see your logic however the recognised tried and tested way is as I’ve shown
I wish Proofide worked on metal. Broke a rail on my Brooks this weekend.
That’s not good, under warranty?
Top tip, do the bottom first.
I did, but it got my pants in a hell of a state
That’s a ‘bottom tip’ then.
Sorry.
Thanks
I believe the leaflet says to only apply proof hide to the underside of a new saddle and not the top.
Yes I do believe you’re right, although I’ve followed this routine for years now and have been very happy with my saddle. Having said that I’ll be doing a new video soon and may remove this one.
I just ordered the proof hide and a saddle, so is this the actual instructions to just apply it to the underside??? That's amazing as every youtuber demonstrating its use is applying it to the top only😲
I just went to the Brooks Saddle website and they say "Use a soft cloth
- Apply a thin layer of Proofide to cover the entire upper surface of the leather
- Leave on for a minimum of one hour and allow it to penetrate through the surface
- With a clean, dry and soft cloth, vigorously and thoroughly buff the leather surface until all the remaining Proofide will be removed and a healthy sheen will be returned.
Proofide also acts to soften the leather and, if applied too frequently, there might be risk of over-softening the leather to the point that it will no longer to support the weight of the rider. Because of this, apply Proofide only every 6 months."
So, which way is correct????
RJ the bike guy and youtube legend left the chat.
Hmm I think I’ll have another think about my channel name👍
@@terrysallbikes better now than later. Cheers
Very informative and interesting, where can I get a Brooks saddle maintenance kit?
Thanks, they’re widely available at lots of online bike shops
Satisfying
😁
Thank you, one question is brown or honey?
Thanks it’s brown
About two months ago, I noticed something happening to the leather around the rivets of my Brooks B17 - it looks like very shallow cuts at angle. Since then the number of these has increased slowly. It can’t be due to drying as the saddle is very pliable.
I bought the saddle in March 2020 and have used it in all weathers since then to do about 8500Km. I have kept it well moisturised with Proofide. About two weeks ago I noticed that it was feeling very bouncy while riding and so yesterday I used the tensioning spanner for the first time. I have turned it one complete turn, but it doesn’t seem to be stiffening up again.
I purchased the saddle in the UK, but at the moment I am touring in the Balkans. Therefore, it would be difficult to send to Brooks. It could be many months or even a year before I return to the UK.
Can you please advise a reason and a cure?
Sorry to hear of your problem, it’s difficult to say what your issue is. It may be an issue with the quality of the leather, although I’ve not come across this before. How often have you been applying the wax? I have heard of applying it too frequently over softening the leather. If it’s sagging I would try tightening it further, it’s normally better to do it gradually but doesn’t sound like you have many options.
@@terrysallbikes Thank you for taking the time to reply. When I first got the saddle I was applying it every couple of weeks to try and speed up the breaking in period. Since then I have been applying it every couple of months.
Ive just got my b17 and im not sure if it needs the proofide in the bottom does sombody now pls tell me thx
Yes, if it’s new definitely apply proof to the bottom
@@terrysallbikes okay i will now do that thx for the help terry
sir, how to soften brooks sanddle fast?
Brooks saddle never really softens, it moulds to your shape but it takes as long as it takes you just have to stay with it.
@@terrysallbikes thanks Sir👍
Thank you for the video.
Bytheway how often we need to put vaceline on the saddle ? Once a week, once a month.. or...
widodo budi nugroho in normal use I do this twice a year, more often if the saddle gets particularly wet.
Is it ok to use a Different leather wax than the proofide?? I bought another one whit more content and a bit cheaper..... i hope i dont mess up my b17
Hi, I would have thought providing it’s a proper leather treatment it should be ok, however some might soften the leather more than you wold want.🤞
Don’t get too hung up about it ....I’ve received a saddle with 5 years of neglect , sure it’s ruin but it’s still comfortable and I’m rubbing the proofide in and using it now ( still better than a vinyl cheap saddle by far )
@@lena19191 i bought the brooks maintence set already... fuck that 15€. Didnt want to mess up my b17, i love that thing... even thought about making love whit it...😉🤣👍
Is your B17 the "honey" color, or the "antique brown" color, out of curiosity? Thank you for your reply.
It’s the brown 👍
@@terrysallbikes Thanks! That's the color I purchased and yours looks great.
Just buy a can of SNO SEAL for 5 dollars and it will last years not to mention you can use it on your boots and shoes.
As far as I know this is a waterproofing product, doesn’t do anything to nourish the leather?
how long does it need to dry before you can use it again? Or can you use it the moment you wiped it off?
Musicaddict1.0 Hi, it would be fine to use right away
Agree ...wax your saddle ... say after a ride , buff it off when you wanna go out again ...easy
How long have you been using this saddle?
uri panas about 3 years now, it’s the best saddle I’ve had
@@terrysallbikes ок,thanks
Would that stuff be okay for automotive leather?
No, automotive leather is not the same and there are various types that need their own treatment.
Sorry I really don’t know
That can should last a few years too
Absolutely
how about underneath
Yes do underneath first time you do it and maybe if it gets wet
Should have followed the Brooks instructions, that came with the kit, you are giving wrong information.
Thanks for your comment.What’s that I’m doing wrong? I’ll rectify it I need be
Take a look at this video from Brooks,
czcams.com/video/tL_ItIMHQyM/video.html
Yes I do understand the confusion and agree it’s not very clear in the instructions, that’s one of the reasons I made the video 👍
Brooks maintenance kit: open the garbage can and through it in.
What do you use?