Brooks saddle modification

[jl_longstaff]

There is a company that modifies Brooks saddles by cutting a hole lengthwise in the saddle under ones perinium.
I am interested in checking into this to see if this would relieve the soreness I get after 60 miles or so.
If anybody can give me an internet site or address I would appreciate it.

[FredHiltz]

One such company is Brooks. Google found this:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/saddles/brooks-b17.html

Fred

[jl_longstaff]

Though I have perused the brooks site, I have not discovered that they modify saddles.  They do sell saddles with the slot already cut in them.  I should e-mail them and see if they will take a saddle and modify it.  The company I am thinking of will modify a saddle, cut the slot and reinforce the leather, for $45.00.

[FredHiltz]

Ah, I misunderstood that you already own the saddle. If it's on the web, Google will find it. Happy hunting!

Fred

[jfitch]

Selle Anatomica: http://www.selleanatomica.com/dollar%20buyer.htm. Scroll down to "Brooks Upgrade Services". $50.00

[jl_longstaff]

 :)That's exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much.

[dwnptrl_777]

I own both a Brooks B-17 (currently on my Long Haul Trucker) and a Selle An-Atomica. Both are great seats, and if money were no object, I think I'd buy a second Selle An-Atomica...instantly comfortable right outta the box, and no break-in required. AND waterproof.

[jl_longstaff]

Today I recieved the saddle back in the mail. It's rough! looks bad! Had I a pattern I'd have done it myself.
Hopefully, it will ride better than it looks. Tomorrow I will put 50-60 miles on it and see.

[paddleboy17]

Today I recieved the saddle back in the mail. It's rough! looks bad! Had I a pattern I'd have done it myself.
Hopefully, it will ride better than it looks. Tomorrow I will put 50-60 miles on it and see.

I would love to see pictures.  They used to sell modified B-17s, and I have one of those.  It has served me well, even though it predates the design change to add a laminate layer for heavier riders.  I bought one of their proprietary saddles with the waterproof leather, and it just did not work out for me.  I have another B-17 that I thought about sending in for modifications, but I have held off as I have a lot of miles on the saddle and treated the underside (supposedly no-nos for conversion).

Can you post pictures?

[jl_longstaff]

The saddle rides fine, just looks rough.  Mine was treated on the underside with sno-seal and proofhide but they seemed to be able to modify it just fine, it does'nt look like the underside leather they applied is likely to come loose.  I have never posted a picture on line and am unsure how to do it.  I'll wait unktil my grandkids come over and they can undoubtedly dot in a 'flash'.

[tonythomson]

Can anyone else feel the rivet heads on their Brooks or is just how I sit?

[paddleboy17]

Can anyone else feel the rivet heads on their Brooks or is just how I sit?

You are  not defective... 

Sometimes the edge of the rivet can be felt as the leather does whatever leather does over time.  The rivet needs a good whack with a hammer to push the edge of the rivet's head down.  The whacking is harder to do than you think.

Copper rivets are soft enough to whack.  Steel rivet are not.  I have broken steel rivets trying to push the head down.  Wallingford sells replacement rivets should you break one.  Be sure to buy 10 of them, as it is not easy for a novice to hammer a rivet in.  Riveting is a lost art...

I got the guys in the shop to make me a fixture for whacking rivets.  It is a hardened metal dowel in a steel base with a rounded end.  I have not had a chance to use the fixture yet, but I think it will make this task easier.

[tonythomson]

Thanks I'll get the hammer out tomorrow - always up for hitting things with hammers 

[bent eagle]

I've ridden the standard B17 at my LBS, and I could feel the rivets.  I ordered a B17 Imperial from wallbikes, and I can't feel them at all.  The rivets on my new Imperial seem to be just a little flatter than on the other B17 I tested.  Or, maybe it's that the leather is thicker on mine?

[paddleboy17]

I've ridden the standard B17 at my LBS, and I could feel the rivets.  I ordered a B17 Imperial from wallbikes, and I can't feel them at all.  The rivets on my new Imperial seem to be just a little flatter than on the other B17 I tested.  Or, maybe it's that the leather is thicker on mine?

There are an amazing number of variants of the B-17 saddle.  Most have steel frames, although there is a titanium frame.  Some have copper rivets but the B-17 Standard and the B-17 Imperial have steel rivets.  I think the steel rivets might be flatter, but they do not respond to a good whacking like a copper rivet does.  Steel rivets are machine set, so the labor and material costs are lower.

I wish I had the skills to hammer copper rivets as I would convert all of my B-17 saddles to them.  The one steel rivet that I replaced took 5 tries with a copper rivet to get it work, and it still looks like a hack compared to a factory done copper rivet.