just got MY brooks yesterday

[chakatrain]

Funny how topics seem to clump up at the same time. I read this thread yesterday just as my Brooks Professional (honey) showed up at the shop.

I installed the professional (and honey Brooks leather tape I also bought) on the newly aquired CSI. I rode a few blocks, so not enough to really determine how well the saddle fits my sitbones, but I think I might have a fitting issue. The roundness of the Professional might put a little too much pressure on my undercarriage; I'll know more after a good ride. I put a liberal helping of Proofide on it last night and polished it clean this morning. It sure looks great, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that it fits well.

If it doesn't...well...I'll have a saddle to trade soon enough

[ti_boi]

Give it about 6 months..........seriously....once they break in they are the BOMB!!!!!

[Rapid Tourist]

When I had never ridden a brooks, it took me about 800 miles before I never thought about the saddle ever again. 500 till it was comfy.

now that I'm used to how a brooks feels, I'd say it takes 300 miles or so before its comfy.

[Alexi]

I went to order a brooks swift from qbp last week, damn they were all out. and now prices are going up 40%? I love my brooks and all but I'll be staying with the b17's

[chakatrain]

Originally Posted by Rapid Tourist

<snip>...I'd say it takes 300 miles or so before its comfy.

I'll give it the ol' college try. They don't call me a hardass for nothing.

[cuda2k]

Professionals and Champion Specials have thicker leather than the sandard B17 which often means longer break in peroid. I had a Honey Champion Special on a touring bike that didn't get a lot of use. Never got it to break in properly, but just installed a new B17 on another bike and going to give it the ole college try one more time. Hope yours works out for you.

[Andreas]

If you search the archives you will find that there are many different methods to help you break them in.

As stated before, the Pro's leather is way thicker, it also lasts longer than a B17 (that is toooooooooooo wide for me anyway).

Some never get comfy on the Pro.

Among other options:

nose up
proofide
wet piece of something between saddle and your bottom
motor oil (Lon Haldeman)
just do it
ride it long on a hot day (similar to wet piece of nothing...)
many others

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Andreas

ride it long on a hot day (similar to wet piece of nothing...)

Better yet, lather up with Bag Balm and do a long ride on a hot and humid day. Your 'honey' brooks won't be honey for long, but rides like that will definitely soften it up over time.

-Ray

[mschol17]

My B.17 Champion Special was comfortable out of the box, but I didn't notice it "breaking in" until I rode it on a long, hot brevet.

[MartyE]

I'm not sure about the different leather thickness between pro, champion special and B17 Standard. Bill Laine from Wallingford sent me the following when I asked him about it:

People at Brooks have sworn to me that they do not use different
leather for different saddle models. This is from two different
administrations at Brooks.

They specify leather that is 4-5mm thick from their supplier. So one
saddle could be a little thicker than another but it is not model
specific, it's random.

The Team Pro has a shape that has more compound curves and the skirts
are vertical. This makes for a rigid saddle. The B.17 has a wide flat
seat that gives more. I think this is why people think the Pro has
thicker leather. Kind of like sitting on the hood of a car and
sitting on the fender.

My B17s have all been comfortable right out of the box and only get more
so as I ride them. I had a team pro that I rode for a year and I never really
got comfortable on.

Proofide and long hours in the saddle is my preferred method for breaking them in.

Marty

[Andreas]

Originally Posted by Rapid Tourist

When I had never ridden a brooks, it took me about 800 miles before I never thought about the saddle ever again. 500 till it was comfy.

So 1 - 2 weeks , not bad.