For Sale: Brooks B17 £32 at Halfords

the black Brooks is also my first Brooks, is what i'm reading in the paperwork supplied true? do I really need to rub it down with a mixture of 50/50 linseed/dragon piss mix whilst wearing a frog on my head during a full moon in order to get the full life out of the leather?

Any goods tips on navigating the apparent minefield of Brooks treatment? or is it one of those things that people tend not to do and its always fine....?

it's probably just good marketing / sale technique from brooks
helps them sell lots of tubs of brooks special saddle paste at £12 a pop

or am i just getting cynical in my old age

In all seriousness, if you don't have mudguards on your bike you must proofride (sp?) the underside of the saddle.
But otherwise, ride it, and in 2 weeks it will be bum shaped and perfect forever.

Got them in stock at my local (Norwich) honey is £32 a pop. Want a black ideally.

Is there any non brooks tape that matches the honey saddle?

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Viola, sorry to have offended with 'fuck'. 'Instore' is a bollocks word that seems to have only existed in the general sales speak since around the same time as 'online', also a hateful construct in my mind. I stand by my observation, albeit not worth a fig in your opinion.

Good luck with your cheaper saddles you lot. I still think LBS are worth supporting over internet shops and the corporates, but the difference between this price and rrp is irresistible to most. What shocks me is that a B17 used to cost £30 about six years ago, now they're £70!

I remember when Brooks was half the price, I was about to afford to go for the team pro, which cost me as much then as it is for a B17... shocking really!

Honey back in stock but no local stores within 50 miles have it in stock :(

it's probably just good marketing / sale technique from brooks
helps them sell lots of tubs of brooks special saddle paste at £12 a pop

or am i just getting cynical in my old age

In all seriousness, if you don't have mudguards on your bike you must proofride (sp?) the underside of the saddle.
But otherwise, ride it, and in 2 weeks it will be bum shaped and perfect forever.

thanks guys. I thought as much, I'm always skeptical when you buy a branded product and are directed to treat it/maintain it with products by the same brand. I'll have a look around for some other leather treatments at a better price. I don't spend a lot on things like saddle, hence never having owned a Brooks before, so 12quid on saddle treatment is a no-no!

They are only about £8 or £9, and a tub could last you forever. I bought a tub 4 years ago and still have plenty left.

Good luck with your cheaper saddles you lot. I still think LBS are worth supporting over internet shops and the corporates, but the difference between this price and rrp is irresistible to most. What shocks me is that a B17 used to cost £30 about six years ago, now they're £70!

Having worked for Jessops in the years up to their collapse I think that buying goods from the larger retailers ONLY when they're heavily discounted is a way to encourage poor health of those larger retailers. High profit margin purchases should always go to smaller retailers, eg services, repairs, builds, own branded products and so forth. But with products like Brooks... its just a welcome sign that places like halfords aren't in good health. If it gives an excuse to put places like evans and cycle surgery 'in the red' on said products, all the better!

other leather/saddle soaps / dubbins are available

http://www.ellis-brigham.com/products/grangers/g-wax-80g/264223

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Viola, sorry to have offended with 'fuck'. 'Instore' is a bollocks word that seems to have only existed in the general sales speak since around the same time as 'online', also a hateful construct in my mind. I stand by my observation, albeit not worth a fig in your opinion.

I'd confidently say the existence of the term in(-)store pre-dates the web quite significantly as a term for a musical act or author doing an in(-)store appearance.
Admittedly its meaning is slightly different from the in(-)store you're complaining about. However as a word, it's existed for some time and quite reasonably describes a public appearance within a shop.

this stuff works wonders on walking boots ... softens and waterproofs

and the tub is pretty big

Anyone had a despatch email from evans yet? I've had the order confirmation email but nothing else yet...

Just got my dispatch email from evans

As a matter of interest....Halfords site is saying:

'We are very sorry, but no UK store currently has the item you require in stock'

That was the most uncomfortable pub ride I've ever had. How long till this thing starts mirroring the shape of my arse?

Weeks.

years!

Viola, sorry to have offended with 'fuck'. 'Instore' is a bollocks word that seems to have only existed in the general sales speak since around the same time as 'online', also a hateful construct in my mind. I stand by my observation, albeit not worth a fig in your opinion.

Good luck with your cheaper saddles you lot. I still think LBS are worth supporting over internet shops and the corporates, but the difference between this price and rrp is irresistible to most. What shocks me is that a B17 used to cost £30 about six years ago, now they're £70!

No offence taken, Skully, but thank you for the message.

As far as using a Brooks saddle without mudguards is concerned, an old trick is to turn the saddle upside down and apply neatsfoot oil fairly liberally (don't use it on the top of the saddle - only underneath).This is the stuff they use on horse-riding saddles. Leave it overnight and wipe off any excess. It softens the leather very quickly and waterproofs the underside.

Brooks don't advise it because it fills up the 'grain' of the leather and doesn't allow the leather to breathe from underneath. Without mudguards, however, it works like underseal on a car. A re-coat at the start of each winter is all you need.

went to Evans today and got 3. Dude could hardly believe it, but gave it to me anyway. Also managed to get 2 black even though my print out said they were out of stock. £32 is a steal.

The trick is to avoid all eye contact and communication with the store manager.

Looks life the bargain has finished.

If anyone doesn't get on with theirs and wants rid of it, let me know.

I still think LBS are worth supporting over internet shops

despite getting my 'STD' B17 in Brown, i'll be visiting a local London Shop soon to get the real good stuff: a proper colour (e.g. green / yellow) either Concor or more non-standard Brooks;

guess this is where the physical shops can come up trumps - where you wanna colour-match!

LBSs with some good colourful / non-generic saddles seen recently:

• Lock 7: yellow Concor - soo lush, £70
  
• Velorution: and 'Ochre' Team Pro Brooks, £106
  
• Fitzrovia: Brooks Swift; a green Concor, £75
  
• Condor: colourful Brooks
  

Does anybody still have a screenshoot of the Halford page at the time?