Alternatives to Proofide

yeah but £3 postage!

:s

Was thinking about purchasing this saddle. Looks like a nice combination of modern comfort and old-school styling. Does it onyl come in black smallfurry?

Mines biege and brown. The biege is a nice match for gum wall tyres :)

Personally I find it really comfy, despite its minimalistic design. But I did read mixed reviews before buying it.

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I've bought a litre of this for all my leather needs. Smells like dead cows feet, but works a treat.
£3.30 a pint.
http://www.cheappetproducts.net/77650_NEATSFOOT_OIL_PURE__PT_12-UKP113935.html

Hasn't done my Storika any harm. Can't speak for brooks though

Yes, but the Storika seems to consist of small leather panels stretched tight in all directions over a chassis made from something else, where as Brooks saddles are stretched only lengthways and rely on the stiffness of the leather to retain a comfortable shape.

neatsfoot will only soften leather if you really soak it many times, because it dries !

I know you can ruin a Brooks with a single application of neatsfoot oil because i've done it. I did it many years ago, but i've just dug that saddle out of the box of old bits it was living in, and while not exactly floppy, it is still flexing in ways it shouldn't (the sides flap out when you put any weight on it, and tightening doesn't seem to help).

Yes, but the Storika seems to consist of small leather panels stretched tight in all directions over a chassis made from something else, where as Brooks saddles are stretched only lengthways and rely on the stiffness of the leather to retain a comfortable shape.

Yeah, its three small leather sections (made of thinner, softer leather than a Brooks) riveted to plastic frame, which itself is covered in light beige leather. So totally different construction really. Hence the disclaimer.

I know you can ruin a Brooks with a single application of neatsfoot oil because i've done it. I did it many years ago, but i've just dug that saddle out of the box of old bits it was living in, and while not exactly floppy, it is still flexing in ways it shouldn't (the sides flap out when you put any weight on it, and tightening doesn't seem to help).

punch some holes and lace it.

i have three brooks, oldest 15 years. used neatsfoot on them all, no floppyiness ! saddles fine. htfu !

I stripped and chopped a crusty old freebie brooks. Scraped the old crusty layer off and rubbed loads of olive oil into the leather and then buffed and dried slowly over a few days on the window sill. Avoid pale coloured trousers until all trace of oil is soaked in/buffed out.
This is probably entirely the wrong thing to do but its made a nice comfy saddle that was getting laced anyway so its no real biggy if it softens it a bit.
Theres plenty of ancient brooks out there that haven't been treated so well, they're tough as old boots(being made of the same stuff).

Vaseline.

Will soften leather. Won't discolour. If used in large amounts underneath saddle before riding in the rain, can be easily wiped off after, with no ill-effects to the saddle. Used very sparingly, will restore lustre to unbuffed leather surface.

Can be used to bring life back to very old, and un-used saddles also. But this would require more than one application, plus gentle buffing, and allowing to fully dry between applications.

anyone tried this one?
http://care4leather.com/infold2000.htm

I think is a fair point to look for alternatives for proofide, why pay for a label when you mite as well get the same or even better for cheaper

I'd blow a fiver on the real deal M8s. Plus when you've used it all, you've got a pretty little tin to carry some emergency pomade in your pocket, for when your barnet gets all out of shape.

uuugh^

jesus, how cheap are you? you've just purchased a £70 saddle. spend another fiver to make sure it'll last you.

oh and the fellow from the brooks factory told me that proofhide serves to waterproof the saddle, not to help soften it. only wear will help soften it (or neatsfoot oil but he recommended against using that since it softens the leather too much).

Brooks aren't the kin of company that would reccomend proofide just to make an extra £1 it'll be because they feel it's the best thing for the saddle!

uuugh^

Or not, you scruffy bastard.

My grandad used this

I use it to add flavour to soups, stews and sauces.

And also for frying chips and making roast potatos.

But I use Proofide on my Brooks saddle.

I have owned perhaps 200 bikes since I took up cycling. Lots of them have had Brooks saddles, because that's what I like.

I'm still on my first tin of Proofide.

Or not, you scruffy bastard.

lol, didnt mean to offend...just sounds like an odd necessity...I hope I understood what a barnet is.

got mine for £30 :)

jesus, how cheap are you? you've just purchased a £70 saddle. spend another fiver to make sure it'll last you.

oh and the fellow from the brooks factory told me that proofhide serves to waterproof the saddle, not to help soften it. only wear will help soften it (or neatsfoot oil but he recommended against using that since it softens the leather too much).

What do other leather saddle manufacturers suggest you use on their saddles.

Has your brain been temporarily disengaged?

Tbh it's so relatively cheap you should probably just by the real item.

lol, didnt mean to offend...just sounds like an odd necessity...I hope I understood what a barnet is.

Pubic hair... right?

thats what I though...hence uuugh.

This thread seems really contradictory but that's not a surprise with so many people giving their two pence. What I do find odd is that two of the most frequent arguments on here and other sites are:

1. Proofide is not for softening the leather, it's for waterproofing it
   
2. Never leave a Brooks out in the rain
   
   

Huh?

This thread seems really contradictory but that's not a surprise with so many people giving their two pence. What I do find odd is that two of the most frequent arguments on here and other sites are:

1. Proofide is not for softening the leather, it's for waterproofing it
   
2. Never leave a Brooks out in the rain
   
   

Huh?

Have you ever worn a fine leather shoe? Such as a Brogue an Ealing or a Cromwell? If so Sir then you will know that no matter how well prepared against the elements your leather shoe of choice may be, at some point and after enough rain, moisture will seep in. Be prepared but never take your preparation for granted Sir.