Bicycle Saddle & Bag Cover

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form fitting
covers
for it.
However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends and it
rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet on the bottom

I water-proofed my last set of Doc Martin's by heating them using a hair
dryer and rubbing petroleum jelly into them until they were completely
saturated with it. They lasted 10 years, worn daily in all weather. They
always shed water like a duck's back.

Is it practical to do this to a saddle? (I've been looking at the Brooks'
myself)

Melting parafin into the underside of a saddle might work too.

C.

C.J.Patten <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:> news:[email hidden]...
:> >I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form
:> >fitting covers
:> > for it.
:> > However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends
:> > and it rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet
:> > on the bottom
:>
:> I water-proofed my last set of Doc Martin's by heating them using a
:> hair dryer and rubbing petroleum jelly into them until they were
:> completely saturated with it. They lasted 10 years, worn daily in
:> all weather. They always shed water like a duck's back.
:>
:> Is it practical to do this to a saddle? (I've been looking at the
:> Brooks' myself)
:>
:> Melting parafin into the underside of a saddle might work too.
:>

Interesting idea. However, I'm not up to that particular solution yet.
Also, that website I listed didn't seem to be in business, so I'm in need
for another solution, still.

Roger Zoul said:

I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form fitting covers
for it.
However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends and it
rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet on the bottom
and also of water creeping in under the cover (it barely covers the saddle,
actually). I've been using plastic grocery bags and electrical tape for
extra protection, but that's a pain.

My initial impression is you need to ride your bike more, and drive the
car less. 8 hours of driving per weekend -- is that driving excitement?

However, there are a couple of other options. First, put Proofhide on
the bottom of the saddle. Any water that does happen to get under won't
immediately soak in like it does on raw leather. Second, give the
leather a chance to dry if it does get wet; think wadded up newspaper
and parking near AC vents.

Finally, is all this necessary? Have you seen evidence (leather
darkening) of water getting to the bottom of the saddle? Is it worse
than your sweat after a long day's ride? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Pat

BTW: I found a section on Sheldon's website about leather saddle care.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html

I second the Neetsfood oil recommendation but would add that I've used
petroleum jelly (aka: "Vaseline"😉 as a substitute and had GREAT results with
other leather goods.

Specifically, I use a leather side quiver for arrows and have stalked the
woods in HEAVY rain. The water just sloughs off. The jelly does make the
leather slightly more supple. Don't know if that's good or bad for a bicycle
seat.

Pat Lamb <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Roger Zoul wrote:
:> > I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form
:> > fitting covers for it.
:> > However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends
:> > and it rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet
:> > on the bottom and also of water creeping in under the cover (it
:> > barely covers the saddle, actually). I've been using plastic
:> > grocery bags and electrical tape for extra protection, but that's
:> > a pain.
:>
:> My initial impression is you need to ride your bike more, and drive
:> the
:> car less. 8 hours of driving per weekend -- is that driving
:> excitement?

That's life. I could leave the bike at home instead of taking it.

:>
:> However, there are a couple of other options. First, put Proofhide
:> on
:> the bottom of the saddle.

I do that already, actually.

Any water that does happen to get under
:> won't immediately soak in like it does on raw leather. Second, give
:> the
:> leather a chance to dry if it does get wet; think wadded up newspaper
:> and parking near AC vents.

That won't work. I travel on Friday and ride on Saturday/Sun morning.
Return travel on Sunday afternoon. No AC vents to park near 🙂

:>
:> Finally, is all this necessary? Have you seen evidence (leather
:> darkening) of water getting to the bottom of the saddle?

I have no evidence...but I have been in hard rain storms. Are you
suggesting I let it get all wet and then deal with the situation? Do you
have a leather saddle and if so, how do you deal with this?

Is it worse
:> than your sweat after a long day's ride? If it ain't broke, don't
:> fix it.

I think the sweat will stay on the top of the saddle, plus, I have plenty of
other places from which to sweat. So, yeah, I think it could be.

Thanks for your comments, Pat.

C.J.Patten <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> BTW: I found a section on Sheldon's website about leather saddle
:> care.
:>
:> http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
:>
:> I second the Neetsfood oil recommendation but would add that I've
:> used petroleum jelly (aka: "Vaseline"😉 as a substitute and had GREAT
:> results with other leather goods.
:>
:> Specifically, I use a leather side quiver for arrows and have
:> stalked the woods in HEAVY rain. The water just sloughs off. The
:> jelly does make the leather slightly more supple. Don't know if
:> that's good or bad for a bicycle seat.

Thanks, C.J. Unfortunately, I was fearful of soaking my saddle in oil once
I got it. I do put the proofride on there regularly, on both the top and
the bottom. I figure the tight fitting cover I have will protect it most of
the time...I just want something extra to go over it while traveling, so I
won't have to worry about all that water soaking it. Peace of mind, i
guess.

Roger Zoul said:

I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form fitting covers
for it.
However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends and it
rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet on the bottom
and also of water creeping in under the cover (it barely covers the saddle,
actually). I've been using plastic grocery bags and electrical tape for
extra protection, but that's a pain. I just started looking for something
better. So far, I've come up with this:

http://www.mountainbikecover.com/cover.html

which would mean I may not even need to remove my under-the-saddle bag.
Does anyone know of any other product like this that would offer me an
option? Just covering bases here. Thanks.

Hey, Roger . . .

If all you're trying to accomplish is keeping this thing dry in
transit, any reason you couldn't just shove a /heavy duty/ garbage bag
(trimmed, perhaps, for length) over the top of the seat, then sort of
'lash' the bag down (to keep it in place and minimize wind buffeting)
with nylon cord?? It'd be cheap, quick, simple, and likely pretty
effective.

Home Depot's h-d trash bags: http://snipurl.com/fpgo

You could also go by your local REI (or other camping equipment store)
and get a low-budget stuff-sack with a wide enough opening to fit over
your saddle. Pull that sucker down and tie the bottom closed with . .
.. anything, including a reusable zip tie.

Stuff sacks: like this, but come in many, many sizes:
http://snipurl.com/fph1

Put one /over/ a standard grocery bag to ensure waterproofness....

Roger Zoul said:

I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form fitting covers
for it.
However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends and it
rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet on the bottom
and also of water creeping in under the cover (it barely covers the saddle,
actually). I've been using plastic grocery bags and electrical tape for
extra protection, but that's a pain. I just started looking for something
better. So far, I've come up with this:

You could just take the seat off. That should only take a couple seconds
if you just pull out the seatpost. Throw a cheap seatpost of the same size
in as a replacement to keep any rain out of your top tube. It seems this
would fit all your criteria.

--
Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g
Therefore it is necessary to learn how not to be good, and to use
this knowledge and not use it, according to the necessity of the cause.
-- Machiavelli

Neil Brooks said:

Roger Zoul said:

I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form fitting covers
for it.
However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends and it
rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet on the bottom
and also of water creeping in under the cover (it barely covers the saddle,
actually). I've been using plastic grocery bags and electrical tape for
extra protection, but that's a pain. I just started looking for something
better. So far, I've come up with this:

http://www.mountainbikecover.com/cover.html

which would mean I may not even need to remove my under-the-saddle bag.
Does anyone know of any other product like this that would offer me an
option? Just covering bases here. Thanks.

Hey, Roger . . .

If all you're trying to accomplish is keeping this thing dry in
transit, any reason you couldn't just shove a /heavy duty/ garbage bag
(trimmed, perhaps, for length) over the top of the seat, then sort of
'lash' the bag down (to keep it in place and minimize wind buffeting)
with nylon cord?? It'd be cheap, quick, simple, and likely pretty
effective.

Home Depot's h-d trash bags: http://snipurl.com/fpgo

You could also go by your local REI (or other camping equipment store)
and get a low-budget stuff-sack with a wide enough opening to fit over
your saddle. Pull that sucker down and tie the bottom closed with . .
. anything, including a reusable zip tie.

Stuff sacks: like this, but come in many, many sizes:
http://snipurl.com/fph1

Put one /over/ a standard grocery bag to ensure waterproofness....

Sorry, Roger. I just re-read your post. My first suggestion is
pretty much what you're already doing. The second is a /bit/ more
elegant....

Neil Brooks <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Neil Brooks <[email hidden]> wrote:
:>
:> >"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> >
:> >>I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form
:> >>fitting covers for it.
:> >>However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends
:> >>and it rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet
:> >>on the bottom and also of water creeping in under the cover (it
:> >>barely covers the saddle, actually). I've been using plastic
:> >>grocery bags and electrical tape for extra protection, but that's
:> >>a pain. I just started looking for something better. So far,
:> >>I've come up with this:
:> >>
:> >>http://www.mountainbikecover.com/cover.html
:> >>
:> >>which would mean I may not even need to remove my under-the-saddle
:> >>bag. Does anyone know of any other product like this that would
:> >>offer me an option? Just covering bases here. Thanks.
:> >
:> >Hey, Roger . . .
:> >
:> >If all you're trying to accomplish is keeping this thing dry in
:> >transit, any reason you couldn't just shove a /heavy duty/ garbage
:> >bag (trimmed, perhaps, for length) over the top of the seat, then
:> >sort of 'lash' the bag down (to keep it in place and minimize wind
:> >buffeting)
:> >with nylon cord?? It'd be cheap, quick, simple, and likely pretty
:> >effective.
:> >
:> >Home Depot's h-d trash bags: http://snipurl.com/fpgo
:> >
:> >You could also go by your local REI (or other camping equipment
:> >store)
:> >and get a low-budget stuff-sack with a wide enough opening to fit
:> >over
:> >your saddle. Pull that sucker down and tie the bottom closed with
:> >. . . anything, including a reusable zip tie.
:> >
:> >Stuff sacks: like this, but come in many, many sizes:
:> >http://snipurl.com/fph1
:> >
:> >Put one /over/ a standard grocery bag to ensure waterproofness....
:>
:> Sorry, Roger. I just re-read your post. My first suggestion is
:> pretty much what you're already doing. The second is a /bit/ more
:> elegant....

Neil,
I lieu of a real seatcover, I think one of these will do just fine. I do
want something that is sorf of nice and quick, the trashbag method is ugly
and time-consuming (you just have to be there to understand). Now to guess
the best size...Thanks.

Dane Jackson <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Roger Zoul <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> > I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form
:> > fitting covers for it.
:> > However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends
:> > and it rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet
:> > on the bottom and also of water creeping in under the cover (it
:> > barely covers the saddle, actually). I've been using plastic
:> > grocery bags and electrical tape for extra protection, but that's
:> > a pain. I just started looking for something better. So far,
:> > I've come up with this:
:>
:> You could just take the seat off. That should only take a couple
:> seconds
:> if you just pull out the seatpost. Throw a cheap seatpost of the
:> same size in as a replacement to keep any rain out of your top tube.
:> It seems this would fit all your criteria.

Hi Dane...I did think of it...but I decided that is not the soln I want at
the moment.

Roger Zoul said:

Neil Brooks <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Neil Brooks <[email hidden]> wrote:
:>
:> >"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> >
:> >>I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form
:> >>fitting covers for it.
:> >>However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends
:> >>and it rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet
:> >>on the bottom and also of water creeping in under the cover (it
:> >>barely covers the saddle, actually). I've been using plastic
:> >>grocery bags and electrical tape for extra protection, but that's
:> >>a pain. I just started looking for something better. So far,
:> >>I've come up with this:
:> >>
:> >>http://www.mountainbikecover.com/cover.html
:> >>
:> >>which would mean I may not even need to remove my under-the-saddle
:> >>bag. Does anyone know of any other product like this that would
:> >>offer me an option? Just covering bases here. Thanks.
:> >
:> >Hey, Roger . . .
:> >
:> >If all you're trying to accomplish is keeping this thing dry in
:> >transit, any reason you couldn't just shove a /heavy duty/ garbage
:> >bag (trimmed, perhaps, for length) over the top of the seat, then
:> >sort of 'lash' the bag down (to keep it in place and minimize wind
:> >buffeting)
:> >with nylon cord?? It'd be cheap, quick, simple, and likely pretty
:> >effective.
:> >
:> >Home Depot's h-d trash bags: http://snipurl.com/fpgo
:> >
:> >You could also go by your local REI (or other camping equipment
:> >store)
:> >and get a low-budget stuff-sack with a wide enough opening to fit
:> >over
:> >your saddle. Pull that sucker down and tie the bottom closed with
:> >. . . anything, including a reusable zip tie.
:> >
:> >Stuff sacks: like this, but come in many, many sizes:
:> >http://snipurl.com/fph1
:> >
:> >Put one /over/ a standard grocery bag to ensure waterproofness....
:>
:> Sorry, Roger. I just re-read your post. My first suggestion is
:> pretty much what you're already doing. The second is a /bit/ more
:> elegant....

Neil,
I lieu of a real seatcover, I think one of these will do just fine. I do
want something that is sorf of nice and quick, the trashbag method is ugly
and time-consuming (you just have to be there to understand). Now to guess
the best size...Thanks.

To Dane's point (and I kicked myself for not thinking of it!), in
/this/ case, I'd probably just take the saddle in with me to the
sporting goods store for sizing purposes.

For my Selle Italia, any drawstring-equipped bag with a 1' width
should slip right over. If you have a fistful of seatpost showing,
I'm guessing 1' in length should about do it, too.

My thought: if your (NON-carbon fiber) seatpost is well greased, you
probably don't need to cover the seat tube opening. Playing it safe,
however, extra length in the stuff sack should accommodate. Just tie
it closed /around/ the junction of the top/seat/stay tubes, allowing
the bag to shroud the seat tube/post junction....

You might want to get a handful of cord-loks, too. Cheap and handy:

http://snipurl.com/fpiq (smallish)

http://snipurl.com/fpir (biggish)

In article <[email hidden]>,

Roger Zoul said:

I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form fitting covers
for it.
However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends and it
rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet on the bottom
and also of water creeping in under the cover (it barely covers the saddle,
actually). I've been using plastic grocery bags and electrical tape for
extra protection, but that's a pain.

How about getting a plain ol' stretchy shower cap,
and threading a drawstring around the opening?
Put the shower cap over the saddle, pull the
drawstring tight and tie it around the seatpost.

It wouldn't last forever without grommets in the
drawstring holes, but shower caps are cheap.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Roger Zoul said:

I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form fitting covers
for it.
However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends and it
rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet on the bottom
and also of water creeping in under the cover (it barely covers the saddle,
actually). I've been using plastic grocery bags and electrical tape for
extra protection, but that's a pain. I just started looking for something
better.

You need to hire that guy Michael Jackson has that holds the umbrella
over him whereever he goes.

Problem Solved.

Rich <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Roger Zoul wrote:
:> > I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form
:> > fitting covers for it.
:> > However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends
:> > and it rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet
:> > on the bottom and also of water creeping in under the cover (it
:> > barely covers the saddle, actually). I've been using plastic
:> > grocery bags and electrical tape for extra protection, but that's
:> > a pain. I just started looking for something better.
:>
:> You need to hire that guy Michael Jackson has that holds the umbrella
:> over him whereever he goes.
:>
:> Problem Solved.

🙂

Tom Keats <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> In article <[email hidden]>,
:> "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> writes:
:> > I have a Brooks leather saddle. I also have one of those form
:> > fitting covers for it.
:> > However, I frequently travel 500 miles with my bike on weekends
:> > and it rains a lot. I'm fearful of the leather saddle getting wet
:> > on the bottom and also of water creeping in under the cover (it
:> > barely covers the saddle, actually). I've been using plastic
:> > grocery bags and electrical tape for extra protection, but that's
:> > a pain.
:>
:> How about getting a plain ol' stretchy shower cap,
:> and threading a drawstring around the opening?
:> Put the shower cap over the saddle, pull the
:> drawstring tight and tie it around the seatpost.
:>
:> It wouldn't last forever without grommets in the
:> drawstring holes, but shower caps are cheap.

Hmm....

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks, C.J. Unfortunately, I was fearful of soaking my saddle in oil
once
I got it. I do put the proofride on there regularly, on both the top and
the bottom. I figure the tight fitting cover I have will protect it most
of
the time...I just want something extra to go over it while traveling, so I
won't have to worry about all that water soaking it. Peace of mind, i
guess.

Roger, Roger!

Fine leather goods like a saddle - or shoes or an arrow quiver - are
life-time investments. I know how you feel wanting to keep that saddle from
getting water-damaged.

I didn't water proof my quiver for a few months after I got it and it got
rained on. I just dried it out and put the Vaseline on it later (using the
blow-dryer) and it's no worse for wear. All this to say, I wouldn't hesitate
to protect a saddle "now" that you hadn't soaked in oil initially. My
experience with leather is that it's only too late once it starts to dry out
and crack. Again, I don't know saddles specifically, just other leather
goods.

BTW: which model is it? I'm drooling over a number of sprung and unsprung
Brooks models. Classy saddles.

C.

C.J.Patten <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:> news:[email hidden]...
:>
:> > Thanks, C.J. Unfortunately, I was fearful of soaking my saddle in
:> > oil once
:> > I got it. I do put the proofride on there regularly, on both the
:> > top and the bottom. I figure the tight fitting cover I have will
:> > protect it most of
:> > the time...I just want something extra to go over it while
:> > traveling, so I won't have to worry about all that water soaking
:> > it. Peace of mind, i guess.
:>
:> Roger, Roger!
:>
:> Fine leather goods like a saddle - or shoes or an arrow quiver - are
:> life-time investments. I know how you feel wanting to keep that
:> saddle from getting water-damaged.
:>
:> I didn't water proof my quiver for a few months after I got it and
:> it got rained on. I just dried it out and put the Vaseline on it
:> later (using the blow-dryer) and it's no worse for wear. All this to
:> say, I wouldn't hesitate to protect a saddle "now" that you hadn't
:> soaked in oil initially. My experience with leather is that it's
:> only too late once it starts to dry out and crack. Again, I don't
:> know saddles specifically, just other leather goods.
:>
:> BTW: which model is it? I'm drooling over a number of sprung and
:> unsprung Brooks models. Classy saddles.

I have the B17 Companion Special, Black, with Ti rails. It is lighter than
the saddle that came with my bike. My butt loves it, too.

:
: I second the Neetsfood oil recommendation but would add that I've used
: petroleum jelly (aka: "Vaseline"😉 as a substitute and had GREAT results
with
: other leather goods.

It's "Neet's Foot Oil", developed by a guy named Neet. It was originally for
putting on the hooves (feet) of horses and cows 'way back around the turn of
the century...the 20th century, that is.

I used to put it on my saddle (for the horse) religiously. It will darken
the leather quite a bit and make it kind of stiff or brittle feeling.

Pat in TX