Was thinking of getting a leather saddle for my touring bike and the SPA cycles ones look good value. Whilst Road CC give them good reviews, I’d be keen to hear real world experience…

I had one, could never seem to get just right on it. It wasnt uncomfy as such, but it did make me ache/numb after a while in the saddle. And as for breaking it in to the shape of yer backside, I put a few thousand miles on it and it still looked the same as when I got it. I think they would last forever.

I ducked buying a Spa cycles one after hearing others’ experiences of it taking longer to wear in and not being as comfortable as Brookes.
One of the saddles I own is a Brookes B17 which is turning out to have been good value given I’ve had it on different bikes now for approx 25 years.

Had one on my Brompton for about a year, maybe year and a half. Only sees 3-4 miles each way per day, but still no sign of any breaking in. Not sure I’d want one on a touring bike that I had to do long distances on, unless you find some way of accelerating the process slightly.

I like mine, but yes, they take way too long to break in.

I’ve a spare new one going on a bike shortly.
It’s had a full time of dubbin already, before it’s been used.
I’m tempted to beat it with something, but that comes across as a bit Basil.
🙂

See it as a test of will – your arse versus an inanimate object.
Which will break first?

Pretty sure Ton(y) tried & hated his on his commute?
Was thinking of getting one, but bought a Brooks Cambium,which, was mint, straight from the box.

How does the break in period compare to that of a brooks. I do like the idea of a leather saddle which will go on for decade’s.

Or I wonder if leather shoe stretching fluid would help reduce the break in period…

i have owned 2 of them…a aire and a wharfe.
both used for commuting, 1 for 5 month and 1 for a few week, god knows why i tried again.
far far too hard, neither gave.
i thought about dropping one in hot water for half a hour then going for a ride with it wet to see if it would give and mould to my shape a bit.

sold em both.

The quality is fine, but the…and I use the word loosely “comfort” was sadly lacking, I tried all the creams and lotions,heated it in the oven, suffered 4hr rides on it all to no avail….someone suggested leaving it in a bucket of water for a couple of hours, so I may give that a try.

Anyone tried softening one with Nikwax Liquid? I might have to give it a go, mine has all the comfort of a bent bit of plywood.

bent bit of plywood.

You were lucky…mines like rough hewn granite.. 🙂

hmmm. I may just stick with the charge spoon then….

thanks

If its for your tourer, I dont think you’ll go wrong with one of those SMP TRK saddles. I’ve got one after seeing a few folk on here recommend them, and its a revelation for me.
If you go through http://www.dillglove.co.uk/product-catalogue/saddles/ you can try a test saddle first.
I got one in a medium and large to test, and settled for a medium.