Small crack in new Brooks saddle

Domane

I bought a Brooks B17 a month ago and was about to fit it to my bike when I saw there was a small crack in it coming from one of the metal studs. For anyone who has a B17, is this typical or signs that I have a bad product that should be replaced. I could live with the crack if it wasn't going to get any worse but it may be better to return it now just in case? Opinions?

Wishbone Ash

Domane wrote: »

I bought a Brooks B17 a month ago and was about to fit it to my bike...

Did you buy it used? (It looks like it has some wear on it).

I can't see any crack as such - leather is a natural product so there are going to be some imperfections.

Domane

It was bought new from wiggle a month ago. Hasn't even gone on the bike yet. I was coating it in the proofride this morning when I noticed the crack. I can live with it if it won't get any worse but then again, it's a brand new saddle just out of its shrink wrap this morning.

tomasrojo

It looks more like a wrinkle from the photograph, but if you can see right through the saddle, I presume that's not right at all. I have a B17 and I've had it for six years or so without doing any maintenance or treatment, and I see nothing like that. Its use is occasional though, as it's not on my main bike.

Domane

It's definitely a crack as I can get my fingernail into it but the crack doesn't go straight through. However I haven't put my weight on it yet and I'm afraid if I do, my 95kg bulk will cause it to break. I don't want the hassle of sending it back but I paid €130 for this saddle expecting it to last so it's not off to a good start.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Which one are you referring to? There are three at the top that all look like crease lines and one very minor wrinkle at the bottom which looks just like a slight fissure and nothing to worry about.

happytramp

Yeah it does look more like a crease of fold where the leather is pinched under the rivet. They're fine. My girlfriend's brooks B17 has them around a couple of them.

If you stick something into it does it pass through? That might help determine if it's a crack or crease.

Domane

I tried to fit a plastic shard through it and it doesn't go through. Guess I'll live with it so as I really didn't want the hassle or expense of sending it back to Wiggle. Time will tell if it lasts. Off to fit it now to start the breaking in process. I'll be swapping my long weekend cycles of 100kms for early morning spins of 25kms to break it in over the next month or so. I hope it turns out to be as comfortable as it's made out to be. After three years cycling on my road bike, I've yet to have a "comfortable" cycle, no matter what bib shorts I wear or how long I stand up in the pedals.

Signal_ rabbit

You should get on to wiggle. Faults are free returns.
If you paid 130 squid then you don't want a damaged one

tomasrojo

A crease in leather isn't necessarily a fault though. Is the surface of the leather compromised, or just folded in on the crease?