NOOOO! Scraped my Brooks! Now what?

>>ECB<< · Nov 20, 2006

I just got back from a fixie ride around the neighborhood (after Proofiding the Team Pro, no less!). So I could fishing my keys out of my back pocket with gloved hands, I had leaned the bike to the right, against the side of the apartment As I was doing that, the handlebar flopped around ccw, and the bike rolled backwards, letting the right edge of the Pro drag against the sharp wooden edge where the two exterior walls come together. :yikes: :incazzato:

After bringing the bike indoors for a closer look, I found that I'd put a nice 6" scrape along the side of the saddle. It extends from just behind the nose rivets to just ahead of the frame, with the nose seeing the worst damage. :cryin: :mad5:

I immediately put a stripe of Proofide over the scuffed-up part. It looks less prominent now, but is still noticeable. Was this a good idea? Any other suggestions as to what I could do to remedy some of the damage?

Arrrgghhh, :mad2:

ECB

BikeRider · Nov 20, 2006

I have a Brooks Swift on one of my bikes. I had taken the bike up to the store and leaned it against some metal shelves. When I went to leave I moved the bike and the saddle scrapped against a metal edge. The saddle got a small scratch on it. I've ridden it since and the scratch doesn't look quite as noticeable as it did at first. I don't think there's anything you can do to get rid of it but it doesn't seem to really hurt anything either. Other than looks that is...

Dave Hickey · Nov 20, 2006

>>ECB<< said:
I just got back from a fixie ride around the neighborhood (after Proofiding the Team Pro, no less!). So I could fishing my keys out of my back pocket with gloved hands, I had leaned the bike to the right, against the side of the apartment As I was doing that, the handlebar flopped around ccw, and the bike rolled backwards, letting the right edge of the Pro drag against the sharp wooden edge where the two exterior walls come together. :yikes: :incazzato:

After bringing the bike indoors for a closer look, I found that I'd put a nice 6" scrape along the side of the saddle. It extends from just behind the nose rivets to just ahead of the frame, with the nose seeing the worst damage. :cryin: :mad5:

I immediately put a stripe of Proofide over the scuffed-up part. It looks less prominent now, but is still noticeable. Was this a good idea? Any other suggestions as to what I could do to remedy some of the damage?

Arrrgghhh, :mad2:

ECB

Consider it a badge of honor....It won't hurt the function of the saddle.

Guest · Nov 20, 2006

There is too much "mystery" placed around Brooks saddles. They can be ridden in all conditions and will take a great deal of abuse.

If the issue is that the scrape is "unsightly" then get some shoe or leather polish and polish the spot well. Your riding on it then will act to buff it and work it in well.

If you are simply worried about weather and etc. - Cows go outside in the rain too. Don't fret.

asterisk · Nov 20, 2006

Over time it will blend in. I had something similar happen to me and now a year later you can hardly make out the spot, the color overall will change as it gets broken in (sweat/rain/etc).

fbagatelleblack · Nov 20, 2006

Dave Hickey said:
Consider it a badge of honor

Funny! Those are the exact words I was going to post. The scrape shows that you really ride your bike... That it's not a trailer queen.

The scrapes will blend in and become less noticeable, but they will always be there to remind you that you ride a real bike in the real world. You are not a poseur. You are a rider. Be proud.

- FBB

Len J · Nov 21, 2006

It's a gift.....

Now you don't have to worry about babying it!

Badge of honor.

Len

Touch0Gray · Nov 21, 2006

It is called patina.....it makes it more valuable.

sekaijin · Nov 21, 2006

As my neighbor the master wood furniture builder says, "cherish it as part of the history of the piece."

Fivethumbs · Nov 21, 2006

Take it to a shoe repair guy or a leather craft guy.

Durandal · Nov 21, 2006

Like everyone else said, it's a badge of honor, each scratch and ding just adds to the character. I have two b17 and a team pro, the b17 have both been dropped onto cement, resulting in a rather nasty suede effect, with frequent application off dressing and a couple hundred miles on the seat it will buff out, the high parts first and darkest, and the low parts last and lightest.

JP · Nov 26, 2006

Lucky.

Cory · Nov 30, 2006

Grant Petersen calls that "beausage"

Something about "the beauty that comes from use." I think it should be "boo-SAHZH," but he says it's "byoo-sidge."
Won't hurt the function, and the scratches will become less noticeable.

commuter73 · Nov 30, 2006

toomanybikes said:
There is too much "mystery" placed around Brooks saddles. They can be ridden in all conditions and will take a great deal of abuse.

If the issue is that the scrape is "unsightly" then get some shoe or leather polish and polish the spot well. Your riding on it then will act to buff it and work it in well.

If you are simply worried about weather and etc. - Cows go outside in the rain too. Don't fret.

My thoughts exactly. You paid a good sum of money for a high quality seat. Expect that it will take some abuse and function just fine. Besides, half of the fun of owning a great piece of equipment is abusing it, right?

Over the course of the next several years, this saddle will see scrapes from a fall or three, scapes from getting turned over to fix a flat, dark spots from sweat and friction (and maybe spilled post-ride coffee or brew). They'll all blend together well to form a very nice patina that personalizes your ride.

Besides, who (besides a thief) wants a spotless fixie? Your earning street cred...go ride it a ton and get more!

NOOOO! Scraped my Brooks! Now what?

>>ECB<<

BikeRider

Dave Hickey

Guest

asterisk

fbagatelleblack

Len J

Touch0Gray

sekaijin

Fivethumbs

Durandal

JP

Cory

commuter73

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