Apply a small amount of Proofide to the finished top side of the leather, allowing it to permeate until dry. Polish off completely with a soft cloth to avoid getting any residual Proofide on your clothes. Also apply Proofide to the underside of the saddle. Leave this coating on to protect against dirt and moisture. Proofide may be used several times during the ‘breaking-in’ period and periodically thereafter. Do not overuse. While synthetic saddles come in a bewildering variety of shapes, sizes and widths, leather saddles are remarkably simple in comparison. For starters there is no real requirement for exact widths as your own personal anatomy will dictate the final form. Generally speaking, though the shape of your leather saddle will be dictated by your riding style. A more upright position for touring or commuting would require a bigger perch as more of your weight is placed on the saddle and less on the hands. In contrast, if you’re riding a very aggressive position you’ll need a narrower option to account for the forward rotation of the pelvis and the fact that more of your weight is supported by your arms.

It’s now owned by part of a group of companies including Selle Royal and Fizik and this ownership has coincided with a significant expansion of the Brooks product range. It makes much more than just leather saddles and the fortunes of the company have prospered over the years thanks to the surge of interest in cycling and a wider audience, many appreciative of cycling's history and heritage. After a few hundred kilometers of riding, it seems to be working. The Swallow is getting more comfortable, though it’s definitely on the firm side.It's also worth noting that this will absolutely void your warranty, with Brooks expressly mentioning "riding a completely saturated saddle" in their warranty exceptions, so do so at your own risk. If you can this is all best done in a controlled environment. The absolute ideal would be on a turbo trainer at home, so you can stop once it has sagged to a degree you are happy with and no more. What's more, some saddles will sag faster than others; my Brooks Swallow formed within an hour, so the more careful and controlled you can be the better. A few short stints will be better in the long run than one long one where you overshoot the break-in point. As with any saddle you want to make sure your weight is in the right place. One thing you’ll notice in pictures of bikes with leather saddles is they are often run with a slight nose-up tilt. Thanks to the leather uppers being quite slippery the upward tilt ensures you slide rearwards to a happy resting place where your thighs meet the flare at the rear. A flat setup, or worse a downward tilt, would see you sliding forwards so that your soft tissue is resting on the narrow nose, which isn’t particularly pleasant. Buying second hand A slight, but noticeable upward tilt is advantageous to keep you in the ideal position when using a leather saddle (Image credit: Will Jones) Positioning and setup

Maintaining your Saddle will ensure that it becomes comfortable and durable. Proofide is the ONLY substance that should be used to care for your leather saddle. Carefully formulated from special ingredients to condition, preserve and showerproof, helping protect the leather supple and to keep it supple. With regular use, your saddle will adapt to your body and retain its beauty, comfort and support. A new saddle should be treated at least once to help to assist the ‘breaking-in’ process and protect the saddle against the elements. Never apply Proofide to a wet saddle. The Brooks Imperial is an extreme example, but leather saddles are going to bother the weight weenies (Image credit: Will Jones) It feels initially harsh, but it gets better in the short run, and should get very much better in the long run, after lots of use and a few more applications of the supplied Proofide polish and conditioner. (Incidentally, Chris Juden of the CTC has some good advice on caring for Brooks saddles.)Saddle loops mean extra baggage capabilities (Image credit: Will Jones) Is it hard to break in a leather saddle? The main reason I hear that puts people off using a leather saddle is the break-in period. There are horror stories aplenty, but it needn’t be as bad as all that. Each manufacturer has its own recommended system, and if you dive into any forum or message board there are a tonne of leather saddle fanaticists, each with their own secret to breaking in. I’ve no doubt the following will enrage some of them, but this is my go-to method for breaking in: One coat of leather conditioner focusing primarily on the underside of the saddle, and one very wet ride of no longer than two hours. It is worth noting that some manufacturers like Berthoud pre-apply a grease before sale to aid waterproofing, so you needn't add any yourself for the first year. Brooks England, the traditional leather bicycle saddle maker, is one of the most iconic and legendary bicycle brands. Its products are the epitome of style and luxurious comfort. More than just traditional Brooks leather saddles, the range also includes modern vulcanised saddles, helmets, bags, bar tape, tools, helmets and much more. Here then is an overview of the Brooks product range. If the items we have sent you are faulty, damaged or not as we described, we will cover the cost of collection and the delivery of the correct item.