Peter,
After 29 years on Brooks, my latest theory is hard saddles for soft
butts and soft saddles for hard butts. I know that a out of the box rock
hard was pure pleasure for my old training partner. Just gave me pain and
carbuncles. Soft has worked for me. Just different for different folks.
If one has an unsatisfactory experience w/ a hard saddle, soften her. Don't
give up; try, experiment.
A year ago I tried a B-17. PAIN! Turns out the 6 1/2 inch wide B-17 is
to wide for my narrow Sicilian ass. But a softened Team Pro has made my
rear happy w/ it's 6 inches wide for many a long ride for a long time. That
works for me. There is no right and wrong here. It's what's better for
YOU. Ya gotta try.
ciao,
John T.Pergolizzi
New York, N.Y.
>
> Wow. I must be doing something wrong. I've been riding on Brooks (and
> Wrights) saddles since I was 9 years old. I have never once found the need
> to pound, beat or otherwise torture them to be comfortable. I have never
> soaked them in neets foot oil, baked or boiled them. Almost never had to
> "tension" them.
>
> I guess I am of the old-fashioned sort who thinks a saddle is supposed to
> support not be a glove-leather upholstered armchair. Indeed the least
> comfortable Brooks I have ridden was one that was soaked, beat and or
> boiled. It's like riding on a dead eel.
>
> Regular use and sparing use of Proofhide is the ticket. But I do know what
> you mean by the occasional "thicker" leather on B-17Ns. I got one recently
> like that on eBay; it's brand new so maybe British bovines, having
survived
> Mad Cow Disease, just have thicker hides now.
>
> Peter Kohler
> Washington DC USA