Interesting discussion, and it all makes sense.However, I have a Brooks Professional with a slightly different issue.The saddle is circa 1980, and looks almost new. It was on a bike that was barely ridden when new in 1980, then stored until last year. The saddle was apparently never fully broken in. The saddle is rock hard. I've given it a couple of thorough rub downs with Proofhide and ridden it many miles, yet it is still hard. I'm very curious whether the soaking technique might work it's magic on this saddle, and I welcome input from the soakers among us. It's a beautiful saddle and I would love to break it in properly.Thanks,Chris WimpeySan Diego, CaliforniaUSA-----Original Message-----From: Jack Gabus <jgabus@gmail.com>To: CR <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>Sent: Thu, 28 May 2009 10:26 amSubject: [CR] Soaking saddlesI love this discussion because the best fitting saddle I have is my BrooksSwift on my Seven. The reason is the second time I rode on it, I got caughtin a horrific thunder storm in Iowa (RAGBRAI). That morning it rained catsand dogs and then in the after noon it was a beautiful sunny day, 90 mileslater it took the shape of my, well let say my large back side. To mysurprise the next day it fit like a million bucks, I have never messed withit since. Water works for me.Cheers,Jack-- Jack Gabus310 490 3784jgabus@gmail.comLaguna Beach, CAUSA