For Sale: Brooks B17 £32 at Halfords

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.