A new saddle should be treated with Brooks Proofide leather dressing to help assist the ‘breaking-in’ process. Proofide keeps the leather supple as it is specially formulated from natural ingredients to condition, preserve and shower proof your saddle. Proofide is the only substance that should be used to care for your Brooks Leather Saddle. Apply a little Proofide to the finished side of the leather. Allow the Proofide to permeate until dry and then polish off. Proofide should be used several times during the ‘breaking-in’ period and every 3-6 months thereafter. On bicycles not fitted with mudguards, an initial application to the underside of the saddle will be beneficial, this needs not to be polished off. The leather gets its colour during the tanning process and it is possible, therefore, that some colour residues will remain. It is recommended to polish the saddle with a soft cloth before first use.
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COMMENT > I did not appreciate when ordering this item that the size of the tin of polish was only sufficient for one or may be to two applications. Very disappointed and will seek an alternative option in future. The cost of shipping was also high given the value of the purchase.
REPLY > The size of the tin is kept small because once opened some of the ingredients slowly evaporate in a few months. This does not affect the main function of the leather conditioner, but it definitely changes its smell. In the past a few people were concerned, so we decided to make the tins slightly smaller than a few years ago. Regarding the shipping cost when bought from our online shop, the amount has been lowered to €1 if bought together with another product. If bought as a single item the shipping cost varies depending on the country where it needs to be shipped.
Hi, Just bought a lovely B17 saddle and slim grips as well as a tin of Proofride. A quick question: Should I also apply Proofride to my grips? Thanks in advance
A> Hi, this is not necessary and the Proofide will darken the grips considerably.
Question: When I bought my Motobecane racing bike in 1976 it had a black Brooks saddle with chrome rails. When I started out riding on it I was told to frequently apply Proofide to the underside of the saddle because your body heat draws the Proofide into the leather to help break it in. To this day I ride that saddle and at least once a year I apply a heavy coat to the underside and treat the top as recommended by Brooks. The saddle has aged magnificently, but should I be repeatedly treating the underside with liberal coats of Proofide?
A> Proofide should be used sparingly, not liberally.
can the proofide be used on a union jack white swallow without it yellowing the color over time? thanks in advance.
A> Proofide (or any other leather treatment) will darken any leather it comes in contact with.
Should Proofide be applied to the entire saddle? An employee at a bike shop told me it should only be applied to the underside, below where your sit bones contact the seat. Should the entire underside be coated? How often should the top and bottom be coated with Proofide? How much Proofide is too much? Is it possible to ruin the leather by applying too much?
A> You may apply Proofide everywhere on the saddle. For the saddle top, be sure and polish off after some minutes of letting the Proofide work into the leather. However, too much Proofide can be a bad thing, and can ruin the leather if overused. As for the amount, use only a small amount.
ok, I know this stuff is expensive but the directions said to use it for my new AGED Fligher saddle. Now, I've just read in your Q and A, that I should not have put the Proofide on an Aged treated saddle. Too late now...and the seat looks better with the stuff on it (I miss the shine of the non-Aged saddles...).
I have a tin of Proofide that is about seven years old. It smells awfully rancid but the texture and colour are fine. Is there a reason not to use it apart from the smell? How can I prevent Proofide from turning rancid? Is it possible to refrigerate or even freeze it?
> Proofide uses tallow, a natural product that turns rancid over time. This may still be used or replaced, but in the future store in a cool, dry, place or the freezer.
I just got my Flyer and I love it! I also got Proofide. You say that during the breaking-in period you should apply several times. Assuming I ride 80-100 kilometers a week, how often is that? Every ride? Every week? I'd like to break it in as quick as possible, but I don't want to ruin the saddle, as other have mentioned. Also, after about what mileage should I expect the saddle to be "broken-in" in order to stop applying Proofide and only apply every 3-6 months? I think others could use this info. Thanks!
A> Use sparingly. It is used to protect the leather, not break it in! Every six months should suffice!
Proofide is the stuff to use. But I've a 35-ish year old B15 I really would like to put on my latest bike, it has no cracks, is in great shape, but the leather is very hard. I wonder what Brooks would recommend for this. I don't want it to crumble immediately, though I am sure that it won't last forever.
A> Give it some proofide for a few weeks after you start riding it, see if you can gradually add some suppleness.