Worthwhile buying vintage brooks?!

Ok, i've never used a leather saddle, but with the imminent restoration of my 1950 Holdsworth track frame, i'm thinking about re-building with some period pieces. What are peoples opinions of trying to bring back to life a vintage brooks saddle? i've seen some brought back from the dead. Also what coinage are we talking ie £30 reasonable?

Got an old brooks B15 on a bike I bought for my lady.

Was thinking about using hide food to restore.

i think you can get a new one for around £37 or am i missing the point?

the thing to check with old/used brooks saddles is that you still have thread to use on the adjusting bolt that tightens the saddle- if it is screwed all the way to the ebd you will have a saggy saddle and no way to tighten it up again.

I had a vintage Brooks on an old Donnington frame I used to have. It was mainly for scooting about town, but every now then I used it for the 13 mile commute. Despite regular proofriding, after a week's use, my cheeks were frankly red raw. I had this bike for about 5 years and the saddle never improved.

On my current setup, however, I bought a new Brooks, which after a couple of weeks felt like I was sitting on a cloud.

Having said that, I'm about to use an old Brooks on my current project, but it's in great nick and doesn't look like it's been broken in properly.

a new brooks would be the way to go. or a barely used old one. they way that they break in is really personal, so if the previous rider sat on the saddle with a different angle to you or had the saddle adjusted differently, all that will effect how well the saddle will conform to you. breaking in a new one is definitely no fun, but in the long run it's worth it. and brooks haven't changed their patterns much in the last 50 years or whatever so you'll still get the original look (once it breaks in). i'd really recommend the team professional model, it's more expensive than the B17, but it's handmade instead of machine made and the quality of the leather and rivets is much higher. it also looks better (lovely black leather with really large copper rivets...mmmmm).

salmonchild i think you can get a new one for around £37 or am i missing the point?

actually cheaper ;) , but yeah would prefer something with character.

i would like one of the thin racey ones, like the swallow, but they're £100+

dogsballs [quote]salmonchild i think you can get a new one for around £37 or am i missing the point?

actually cheaper ;) , but yeah would prefer something with character.

i would like one of the thin racey ones, like the swallow, but they're £100+[/quote]

Chop it!

Let us know how it goes if you, as I'm considering it myself...

bracestower [quote]dogsballs [quote]salmonchild i think you can get a new one for around £37 or am i missing the point?

actually cheaper ;) , but yeah would prefer something with character.

i would like one of the thin racey ones, like the swallow, but they're £100+[/quote]

Chop it!

Let us know how it goes if you, as I'm considering it myself...[/quote]

Am considering this over the weekend.

Anyone got any links to chops? Bikeforums search is not working.

i've got an ancient wrights you can have

I paid a tener for one from a bike jumble. Have not tried it yet.

Links to butchering

http://www.wallbike.com/content/butchering.html

Couple more links:

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/articles/brooks.htm
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-183432.html

It sounds pretty simple really. Just use a sharp knife and go carefully.

dogsballs [quote]salmonchild i think you can get a new one for around £37 or am i missing the point?

actually cheaper ;) , but yeah would prefer something with character.

i would like one of the thin racey ones, like the swallow, but they're £100+[/quote]

your bum and your "dogsballs" will give it character! ;)

This is what I did to mine. It might be for sale now actually, doesnt fit the seatpost on the daccordi. It's not too italian looking either!

i remember reading that post. i'm going to get jv's :D

dogsballs [quote]jv ok i'll bring it 2moro to mash - can you bring that royal mail bag? my bag is shit

me no courier bag, i only use a back pack. anything small things you need parts wise?![/quote]

sorry got u confused with 31trum! no dodnt need anything mate i'll bring the saddle see u 2moro