Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

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NickJP
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by NickJP »

Just cover the saddle with a plastic bag if riding in the rain. The plastic is thin enough that it doesn't alter the feel of the saddle at all. The tear-off bags that you find in the vegetable section of supermarkets do the job, and even better are the disposable plastic shower caps that are provided in motels/hotels - the edges on those are elastic and they fit neatly over the saddle and stay in place in any conditions. If you look on fleabay you can buy 100 disposable shower caps for a couple of pounds.
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pjclinch
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by pjclinch »

Brucey wrote:if it rains enough during the ride, the saddle gets wet and stretches to blazes.


Blimey, what kind of value of "enough" is that? Riding direct from Dover to Calais?
Often seen riding a bike around Dundee...
Brucey
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by Brucey »

well I dunno; when it rains it rains. The other thing is that it depends how hard you are trying as to whether the saddle stays 100% dry the rest of the time; on long climbs (e.g.the alps in summer) a saddle can be wet and the leather stretchy just through sweat soaking into it. Once sweat soaks into a saddle it seems to break down the leather treatment.

I regret to say that I have utterly destroyed quite a few leather saddles. Frustratingly they are often just getting really comfy and then they fail.

cheers
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drossall
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Location: North Hertfordshire

Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by drossall »

Jamesh wrote:Who would you need a plastic bag to cover it?
You don't put plastic bags over your shoes?

No, but you don't leave your shoes out in the rain when you're not wearing them?
Ontherivet77
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by Ontherivet77 »

Brooks actually make a seat cover for wet weather when you are not riding, ie the bike is outside. Not sure you'd need it while on the bike though.
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Patrickpioneer
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by Patrickpioneer »

I carry one of these to cover the saddle and you can leave it on, if you don't get sore that is?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Unisex-A ... 0005.m1851
rmurphy195
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by rmurphy195 »

andrew_s wrote:If you find the B17 comfortable, do what everyone else does:
Proofhide on top, mudguards underneath, and keep a plastic bag under the saddle to cover it when parked.

If you go for a different saddle, there's a good chance that since it's not a B17, you'll not find it comfortable, and end up buying saddles repeatedly until you chance on something else that's equally comfortable. It's no good asking other people what they find comfortable; they haven't got your backside.


+1
Brompton, Condor Heritage, creaky joints and thinning white (formerly grey) hair
""You know you're getting old when it's easier to ride a bike than to get on and off it" - quote from observant jogger !
drossall
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by drossall »

Patrickpioneer wrote:I carry one of these to cover the saddle and you can leave it on, if you don't get sore that is?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Unisex-A ... 0005.m1851

Or, if it rains really hard, you can put it on your head?
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Patrickpioneer
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by Patrickpioneer »

drossall wrote:
Patrickpioneer wrote:Or, if it rains really hard, you can put it on your head?


No, I always use a spare pair of underpants for that
Pat
mercalia
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by mercalia »

get a seat cover from Poundlander and take the padding out?
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NUKe
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Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by NUKe »

I have one saddle a B17n that has been used for all year round commuting for 9 years it still as good as new. if you Proofide on regular basis. you can use come rain come shine.
NUKe
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Moodyman1

Re: Brooks B17 replacement for Wet Weather Riding?

Post by Moodyman1 »

alexnharvey wrote:Spa nidd. Same problems but cheaper to replace!


Actually, the Nidd is better at wet weather as the leather is thicker than the B17 and it has a plastic cover underneath to protect it from road spray.
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