Leather saddle bleed

[A CT Cyclist]

Just wondering if anyone had any experience with saddle dye coming off onto light colored pants/shorts? More specifically does anyone have a remedy other than avoiding light colored pants/shorts? I love the look of the Brooks select saddles but I'm weary of the extra thick hide.

[Joe Bernard]

Selects are undyed. They end up looking honey-ish after a couple months.

[Steve Palincsar]

Do you mean "wary"? Or are you really just tired of them?

Black dyed leather saddles can bleed color into light colored pants and
shorts for decades. That's why cycling shorts are black. The Natural
saddles don't bleed color, because there's no dye in them to bleed. If
you have a black saddle that's bleeding color into your shorts, the best
bet is to put a saddle cover on it.

[A CT Cyclist]

Ok spelling error, but I think you know what I meant, context and all. I know that the select isn't dyed that's why  I'm considering it. Has anyone tried a Select?  Is the leather hard to break in. How about the honey colored saddles, do they bleed as much as the black saddles?

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[Ron Mc]

I will never buy any Brooks other than Select ever again.  

While I have over 2000 mi on mine, it was no chore to break in.  After 2000 mi, it has no undue stretch or sag, no need to tighten the stretch bolt.  

The last Special I bought, it was already showing the shape of the underlying frame after a few hundred miles.  

[Joe Bernard]

Seconding what Ron said, my Select is noticeably more comfortable than a Special and Regular I own (with the disclaimer that they're all pretty great). One thing I found interesting is that it was very good right out of the box, which is a big deal for me because I'm not a high mileage rider. If a Brooks comes to me needing major break-in time, it could take a good year to get there.

[A CT Cyclist]

Hope this isn't too personal but how much do you guys weigh. Also I tried a Cambium today it was too hard for me.

On Mon, Apr 18, 2016 at 8:43 PM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

Seconding what Ron said, my Select is noticeably more comfortable than a Special and Regular I own (with the disclaimer that they're all pretty great). One thing I found interesting is that it was very good right out of the box, which is a big deal for me because I'm not a high mileage rider. If a Brooks comes to me needing major break-in time, it could take a good year to get there.

[Joe Bernard]

180. If this is your first foray into non-foam-filled saddles, be prepared for *everything* feeling too hard at first. That's just the way it is until your body adapts to the saddle.

[Ron Mc]

Fair question.  I am a big boy, 6'3", 210 lbs.  (not too much blimper than the 190 fighting trim when I was 19 and running the marine corps PAT, wow, 40 years ago).  

Will also add where the Special was inadequate was on my upright bike.  On my moustache cockpit bike, I'm still running a Special after several thousand miles.  So riding position is a factor in needing the extra 2mm leather thickness in a Select. On my drop-bar road bike, Rivet Indy remains my preference for fit, and wouldn't want the shape of a B17 here.  

[Ron Mc]

also going to add a caveat, which I used yesterday when seeing photos of a classic lightweight upright mixte sporting a narrow road saddle - saddle choice is a Very Personal thing.  

Also got to agree with Joe that the question of who is breaking in whom is not always clear...

[A CT Cyclist]

Nope, not my first leather saddle, remember I'm the OP with the black leather saddle staining light colored clothing.  I have a b68 on my more upright bike and the saddle in question is b17 Imperial which I inadvertently got furniture polish on. I believe that was the catalyst for the bleed, although I realize there is always the potential for the dye to come off of any leather saddle. From what I've read and seen it seems like the black saddles are the worse offenders. Does anyone have any experience with the honey color staining light colored clothing?

[Avery Wilson]

I have a honey B17 regular. Bought it new and I've had it on 3 bikes and 6-7k miles. It's really comfortable to me, and I don't recall ever having a problem with dye bleeding out, and I certainly don't now. I usually wear jeans or khaki cargo shorts, so I'd notice on my shorts if it were a problem. Never had a black leather saddle.

[Mark in Beacon]

Unlike Avery, I have had honey stains. Like with the black dye, it comes off in moist conditions--rain or sweat. As others have pointed out, the Select does not have any dye. I got one, like it a lot. I'm guessing the quality/thickness of the leather is probably what the original B17 were back in the day. As also mentioned, it turns very close to the honey color in a relatively short time, especially after treating it with Proofide or Obenaufs. I think I posted a comparison photo, but that might have been on another list.  Regarding saddle covers, fine for out in a downpour, but if you must use one all the time, that is worse than a clear plastic couch cover--at least you can see through that.

[A CT Cyclist]

Thanks, I'm leaning towards the honey b17 imperial

On Tue, Apr 19, 2016 at 10:09 AM, Avery Wilson <avew...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have a honey B17 regular. Bought it new and I've had it on 3 bikes and 6-7k miles. It's really comfortable to me, and I don't recall ever having a problem with dye bleeding out, and I certainly don't now.  I usually wear jeans or khaki cargo shorts, so I'd notice on my shorts if it were a problem. Never had a black leather saddle.

[Chris Birkenmaier]

I've owned many Brooks saddles snd never had any color bleed. i don't tend to get them wet though. I will echo,the select saddles as an option. The leather is noticeably thicker on them.

[Brian Campbell]

+1. I have 2  B17 Selects and echo what is said below. I just wish they made a B17 Select with a titanium frame so I could satisfy my inner weight weenie....

[Tim]

My honey B17 bleeds and has stained a few pair of shorts and MUSA knickers. I just got my first black so I don't know yet.