Someone scratched my Brooks...advice?

[Brett Lindenbach]

I am used to people admiring my Bleriot around town, and it is not atypical for me to exit a shop to find someone gawking at my bike. A few times even noticed some college kids taking pictures of it as I sipped my coffee inside. Was disappointed the other day when I came out to find that someone had marred my Brooks saddle. I could chalk it up to beausage, but it makes me unhappy. What's the best way to buff it out?

[RJM]

I can't help you with the buffing, but will say that my black b17 has several scratches and marks on it and it doesn't seem to matter much with the functionality of the saddle. I scratched mine up fairly bad the first week I had it and since then I just don't care how it looks anymore.

[Rob]

I have found using my bottom works quite well, with the Berthoud saddle on my Saluki anyway. YMMV with a Brooks. :)

Rob in Seattle

[Minh]

Brett,

Learning to accept scratches (to your brooks or bike) is one of the things in life that you have to come to on your own.  There are a few things you can do, proofide, saddle soap or obenaufs to try and buff them out, shoe polish if you want to get more aggresive.  None of them will really return it to new out of the box but they will lessen the effect.  

But really, after a few hundred miles it will all blend in with the wear from your butt (per Rob).  and if it's any comfort, imagine how i felt when i got my first scratch in my $200+ berthoud--caused by me too, if you take your bike out it will happen eventually.  And look at it this way, you'll never get that characteristically worn in look that old brooks get if you don't get some scratches into it.  

[Will]

My Brooks is almost 40 years old. I bought a Raleigh Competition in 1973; the saddle's been on every bike I've owned. I look at the dings, some are really old. Dings are OK. They remind you of things. They have story.

On Saturday, March 17, 2012 7:46:27 PM UTC-5, Brett Lindenbach wrote:

[Bruce Herbitter]

As said on the liner notes of the "Woodstock" album, scratches are "proof of the origin and authenticity" of your ride. :)

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[CycloFiend]

I have those crop up from time to time - other bike brake levers, unseen
edges, etc. - I usually just ride it out rather than worry about it
specifically. I do find that different contact material tends to have a
different effect on the leather. The MUSA Knickers seem to leave a nice
burnished, higher gloss finish than regular riding shorts.

YMMV...

- J

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Jim Edgar
Cyclo...@earthlink.net

Cyclofiend Bicycle Photo Galleries - http://www.cyclofiend.com
Current Classics - Cross Bikes
Singlespeed - Working Bikes

"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do
it."
Mahatma Gandhi

[cyclotourist]

I scratched up a Brooks pretty bad once on some rocks. Just applied
some Proofide and over time it's blended in pretty well. 3,000 miles
later, I can barely see it! :-)

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Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA

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“I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an
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[Brett Lindenbach]

I appreciate all the advice, I really do. I should mention that I have come to terms with scratches and dings that I make, but not intentional gouges made by a vandal. Really, they are ugly and tell no story other than "some people suck". I suppose I will get over this too.
Best,
Bret

[eflayer]

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http://www.ehow.com/how_7854293_repair-saddle-scuffs.html

[Manuel Acosta]

Just make up an elaborate story about a bear tried attacking you while
you were biking. That always works for me.

[Andrew]

I hate it when that happens. But some Guiche Cream will buff it right out....

- Andrew, Berkeley

[David Yu Greenblatt]

Why not send it to Kara Ginther and ask her to transform the ugly scratches into something beautiful?

 

http://www.karaginther.com/shop/custom-saddles

http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com/2010/07/leather-engraved-brooks-saddle-bicycle.html

 

David G, Madison WI