Kenneth Freeman wrote:
> I don't use Brooks or Ideale any more since they don't fit my undersides,
> but I have had several. I've only used Proofide, up to a few coatings on
> top per month, and not seen any inordinate stretching. I liked a Brooks Pro
> for quite a while. I understand that Proofide is gentle enough for many
> applications, and I have not known it to aid in softening. My feeling has
> always been that if the saddle will not break in to my shape, or if I can't
> acclimate to it, I won't be able to use it.
>
> Many supposedly "broken-in" leather saddles have butt-bone depressions
> flanking a ridge, and I find this shape to be impossible. I don't see how
> any leather treatments that do not involve clever leather surgery can remedy
> this situation, at least for me. Result is, I'm not comfortable on any
> on-topic saddles.
I suspect that "a few coatings per month on top" is far too much Proofhide, and may well have contributed to the ridge you complain of. I have a 25 year old Brooks Pro I ride regularly and it has no such ridge, but I only use Proofhide on it about once a year.
http://www.os2.dhs.org/
--
John Thompson (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA