Forum: bicycles.stackexchange.com
Tags: <saddle><weather>
Title: Is a leather saddle appropriate for all-weather riding?
Question: In our climate, it rains pretty steadily for 3 seasons. Would a leather saddle (like a Brooks) be appropriate for my bike, or should I look for a different material?

Answers:
sents: text: I've used a Brooks saddle in a similar climate (Vancouver, BC) without any major issues.
text: Treat the topside with Proofide every 6-12 months and keep the underside dry (fenders, wedge bag, etc).
text: Store the bike in a dry place between rides so that the leather can dry out naturally.
text: A saddle cover would probably help
text: but I've never used one.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/157/darkcanuck
score: 16
sents: text: I have a Brooks, properly treated with Proofide, and I use full fenders, but major rides while raining make the saddle so soft that it bends all the way down.
text: That is a problem that can be partially avoided with rain covers, but you cannot forget yours never!
text: Also, if the saddle keeps wet when you arrive, you can pull it to original shape and wait for it to dry again.
text: It becomes even more comfortable after that.
text: The only problem is the case where you need to keep riding (for example, on a holiday tour) and the saddle is STILL wet from yesterday.
text: I don't know what to do then...
text: Amazingly, though, even all the way down it is still comfortable and pretty rideable.
text: Once, a dutch guy was crossing my town on a long tour, with his brooks fully stretched down, and he only complained from sore hands, not from sore bum.
text: It was incredible!
text: So, I would say: "Yes, go for it, but you have been warned!"
text: ;o)
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/2355/heltonbiker
score: 6
sents: text: I've been riding an old Ideale saddle for a while now in all weather in New england with a year round commute for several years with no problems.
text: The secret is as others have said- FENDERS and treatment.
text: I treated the saddle with proofide for break in, and once the saddle had more or less molded to me, I treated the whole saddle top and bottom with sno-seal, which is a wax based waterproofer for leather used in winter conditions.
text: Its semi-solid so apply with a hairdryer to heat the leater and let it melt and soak in.
text: I reapply the sno-seal as needed (when water gets absorbed) or sometime in the winter, and the leather practically beads water off now.
text: Still lets it be soft enough to continue to adjust to my bum as well.
text: If it works on a 50+ year old piece of leather its got to work on a new one!
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/30596/Mike
score: 5
sents: text: In your case I would say that you can use a Brooks-style leather saddle with two recommendations: Fenders - having fenders on your bike will keep much of the water and gunk off the underside of your seat.
text: Find a waterproof seat cover.
text: Velox used to make a great one, which you can still find sometimes online.
text: Rivendell sells one that looks very similar
text: but I have not used it.
text: If you have used a leather saddle before and want to make it work in your climate, I would give it a try with those two changes.
text: If you are just considering switching, I would probably stick to a modern style saddle like the Specialized Body Geometry series.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/213/Gary.Ray
score: 3
sents: text: I ride my B-17 in the rain, on the trail, through the mud, rivers, and streams.
text: I don't apply Proofide and it stays in great shape.
text: It was worn in about a 2 years ago
text: and I tightened the spanner bolt about 1 full turn and it hasn't moved since.
text: I even branded the leather with my initials and it hasn't changed the way it feels on my bum.
text: I cant imagine a better saddle to ride.
text: With not having any trouble out of mine in all weather/all mountain riding, I say go for it, just keep an eye on it to make sure its not doing something crazy.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/2579/chad
score: 3
sents: text: I'm a recent Brooks convert and have a B17 on my road bike.
text: A great hack for riding in the rain is to use a plastic carrier bag.
text: Simply put it over the saddle and wind each handle loop around your seatpost in opposite directions and tie the ends together.
text: This protects the top of your saddle from rain and the bottom of it from road spray.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/33138/Guy Wood
score: 3
sents: text: i have been using proofide on my champion flyer for about four years now.
text: it works great.
text: it absorbs better in warm weather, not really in cold winter months.
text: i would not use any thing else, period!
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/5175/stephen procopis
score: 2
sents: text: Not everyone thinks that a leather saddle, i.e. 'Brooks', is necessarily suited to year round riding.
text: Hence there is an aftermarket saddle cover specifically designed for 'Brooks' saddles: https://www.randijofab.com/products-page/bicycle-accessories/saddle-cover If you are concerned about your 'Brooks' seat holding up over winter then you might want to get one.
text: I got a cover for my girlfriend, its well constructed and seems like it should hold up very well.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/2581/John
score: 0
sents: text: I've ridden mine in the rain (and after being parked in the rain), and everything has worked out.
text: I treat with proofide regularly, and the water beads up and slides off, even after 8 hours in light rain.
text: I recently bought a Team Pro, and they seem to come with rain covers now.
text: So if you get a new Brooks and have fenders, your saddle won't even be exposed to water while riding in the rain.
text: I still suggest proofide after each ride for a week after getting a new saddle, and then at least monthly.
text: The stuff is cheap: just use it.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/2619/jrockway
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
Everyone agrees that leather saddles are fine for use in wet climates. To afford a little protection a fender can be used to reduce splash and a waterproof seat cover to keep the seat dry.
Most testimonies agree that a leather saddle is indeed appropriate for all-weather riding and does not require much maintenance, even though using fenders and a waterproof cover is recommended. However, some people claim that long distance riding in the rain can damage the saddle, even after appropriate treating.