Brooks Team Pro

JKC

Hi All,

Just received my first Brooks saddle (Chrome Team Pro). Anybody got any pointers or tips on the setup & maintainence of the saddle, or advice on Brooks in general?

Thanks,

JKC

blorg

Apply Proofide before you first ride it. Apart from that, no, not really, they are pretty maintenance free. You may want to bring a saddle cover to put over it in case it rains but that probably isn't essential if it is Proofided. Particularly not for the Team Pro which has the thickest, toughest leather of any Brooks saddle I am aware of (for me it unfortunately also makes it the least comfortable by far.)

JKC

Thanks blorg.

TinyExplosions

Depending on your size, keep an eye on how taught the saddle is. If you're a big fella, you may find that the leather stretches and you start to hit the seatpost... if so, use the little spanner to tighten and you'll be right as rain.

If you're not a heavyweight, ignore that altogether!

JKC

Thanks TinyExplosions.

blorg

It really needs to be emphasised that with most Brooks unless you are particularly heavy and it is sagging too much the nut should be left well alone, you can do more damage than good.

Irrespective of how heavy you are I couldn't see you putting any stretch into the Team Pro, mine has not even the slightest indentation after two years use. The Swallow (which Tiny has) is the most supple, comfortable leather but the worst for stretching. It is a bit of an anomaly among Brooks- other ones don't really need retightening in normal use.

TinyExplosions

blorg wrote: »

It really needs to be emphasised that with most Brooks unless you are particularly heavy and it is sagging too much the nut should be left well alone, you can do more damage than good.

Irrespective of how heavy you are I couldn't see you putting any stretch into the Team Pro, mine has not even the slightest indentation after two years use. The Swallow (which Tiny has) is the most supple, comfortable leather but the worst for stretching. It is a bit of an anomaly among Brooks- other ones don't really need retightening in normal use.

These are very good points... I have a swallow (and am heavy!) and I've stretched mine to the point of being useless, but this won't necessarily happen on a Team Pro

smacl

Considering getting a Brooks myself for the W200 and similar long sportives. Looking at the flyer special at the moment, and wondering if the springs add much comfort over a long day. Not too concerned about the extra weight, losing an extra pound through diet would be well worth a more comfortable seat, and don't care about the aesthetics.

TinyExplosions

I'd say the springs are unnecessary... I've used both a Swallow and a B17 in the past, and never felt that extra cushioning would be necessary.

I'd advise you to get it asap though and put in some long rides on it before the WW200, as some people just don't get on with Brooks, and it would be a painful day to find that out

CramCycle

Both of my Brooks were comfy from the offset, some people it takes ages apparently but mine were grand from day one.

That said my first one started to sag quite quickly and had to ge retightened quite a bit, that one was proofided but my second one, I never bothered, just covered it when it rains and its is as firm as the day I first got it.

First was a B17 and the second is a B17 imperial, think I found the regular B17 the more comfy, although they are both comfy to me.

In agreement with Tiny though, If 200 is your longest I don't think there are any advantages to the springs.

JKC

Set the saddle up on the bike, took it for a good 75km spin, and I am super impressed by the comfort of the saddle. You're aware it hard, but thankfully there is absolutely no pain & no numbness. I got off the bike when I got home if felt like I had only been on the saddle for 5 minutes.

All in all, can’t rate this saddle high enough.