It’s amazing how much time and effort you think your first Brooks will need, and how little you have to do for them and how comfortable they make the ride. Proofride is pricey, but like that stuff we used to slick down the cowlicks back when we had hair, just a little dab will do ya!
I was told once — and this jives with my own experience in breaking in a new pair of hiking boots — that the best break in method is to soak the saddle overnight, then ride it when it’s dried to damp. Then, once air dried completely, apply the Proofride or similar leather treatment. Given the spendy nature of a Brookes, I’ve not had the guts to try that method. I’d be afraid that the rivets might tear in the damp leather. One guy I know with a Swallow on his road bike swears by this method though.
There is no difference to spending a day on the bike before you coat it. Human perspiration and warmth is enough to let the saddle break in to your personal shape. Also your own weight will help it stretch the right amount for YOU without resorting to any artificial aids that may damage the saddle if you get it wrong…
Meh… I get the references – but I’m afraid this comic is another “Garfield” class effort. Not amusing, kinda dumb. The best part is the Brooks reference.
No, that’s definitely a shave. Look at how crisp the sideburns are.
Wonder if Rick and Brian are going to spend the next couple weeks growing back Yehuda’s beard.
Yehuda has prodigious beard-growing abilities. Even getting it burned off in a fire didn’t keep it down for long. I expect it will reappear in all its glory within a day or two.
On what do you base that conclusion? He’s got an enhanced ‘stache, that’s for sure, and he’s using Proofide in place of mustache wax. And the way his face darkens along the side/back is Rick’s use of shadowing; you can see the same thing on Joe in the first panel as well.
I attended a screening event for Pedal America last evening in Chicago.
This new television series is scheduled to on public television stations across the country beginning May 5.
The show seems very worthwhile. The topic is extremely important.
Check out http://www.pedalamerica.tv.
A shame that the comment ‘Oh, but do wear a helmet.’ had to be included as it may drive some away as result, going from the helmet flame-wars in the comments on this strip!
Love my Brooks!
I wish they did factory tours in Birmingham. And spares for the coil spring nuts and screws that come undone.
Use threadlock. Sorted.
I use loc-tite on my nuts… saweeeet
Keeps them from falling off?
Isn’t that a bit painful once it dries?
Brooks do spares and repairs. Just give them a call. Coil springs? Those are for wusses, get a B17.
Pashley: My flyer and B67 think you are a real hard@ss. ;P
Needs more sepia tone
Happy Birthday Brian Griggs!
Who’s Brian Griggs? Google UK is not really giving any revelations.
http://www.thebicyclestory.com/2011/06/rick-smith-brian-griggs-the-men-behind-yehuda-moon/
D’oh! Of course – happy birthday! And I’m not sure quite why my previous comment had me as a Guest. Maybe to hide my n00bishness.
Shine yer head for a quarter mate?
I think that THIS is what a Brooks saddle is meant for: http://blog.brooksengland.com/wps/a-global-bicycle-race-in-1937/
I wish all participants a good time and hope a new record wil be made without any casualties…
Happy Birthday Brian! See you tonight at CCM!
The beard? Really?
I don’t see a beard… Only Bars…
Looks like Sonny Bono has come back to go riding….
Happy Birthday Brian…
Happy birthday to the co-author of my favorite comic!
It’s amazing how much time and effort you think your first Brooks will need, and how little you have to do for them and how comfortable they make the ride. Proofride is pricey, but like that stuff we used to slick down the cowlicks back when we had hair, just a little dab will do ya!
I was told once — and this jives with my own experience in breaking in a new pair of hiking boots — that the best break in method is to soak the saddle overnight, then ride it when it’s dried to damp. Then, once air dried completely, apply the Proofride or similar leather treatment. Given the spendy nature of a Brookes, I’ve not had the guts to try that method. I’d be afraid that the rivets might tear in the damp leather. One guy I know with a Swallow on his road bike swears by this method though.
There is no difference to spending a day on the bike before you coat it. Human perspiration and warmth is enough to let the saddle break in to your personal shape. Also your own weight will help it stretch the right amount for YOU without resorting to any artificial aids that may damage the saddle if you get it wrong…
Meh… I get the references – but I’m afraid this comic is another “Garfield” class effort. Not amusing, kinda dumb. The best part is the Brooks reference.
I’m afraid this post is another “whiner” class effort. Not amusing, kinda dumb. The best part is that it is short.
yehuda’s chin! And only one other person has mentioned it yet! Yehuda shaved his beard!!!!!! Oh, and happy birthday Brian!
No he didn’t – he’s wearing one of those stretchy silicone rubber thingys that people put on their heads over their hair to simulate baldness.
No, that’s definitely a shave. Look at how crisp the sideburns are.
Wonder if Rick and Brian are going to spend the next couple weeks growing back Yehuda’s beard.
Yehuda has prodigious beard-growing abilities. Even getting it burned off in a fire didn’t keep it down for long. I expect it will reappear in all its glory within a day or two.
If you look carefully, you can see that Y is either wearing makeup or has a mask on…
Thus the ‘chin’ is covering the beard?
On what do you base that conclusion? He’s got an enhanced ‘stache, that’s for sure, and he’s using Proofide in place of mustache wax. And the way his face darkens along the side/back is Rick’s use of shadowing; you can see the same thing on Joe in the first panel as well.
What are you seeing that I’m not?
Happy Birthday, Brian!
Yehuda, where’s your bowler?
Yeah – over his cap to identify him as we have never seen his eyes!
I attended a screening event for Pedal America last evening in Chicago.
This new television series is scheduled to on public television stations across the country beginning May 5.
The show seems very worthwhile. The topic is extremely important.
Check out http://www.pedalamerica.tv.
I applaud that.
A shame that the comment ‘Oh, but do wear a helmet.’ had to be included as it may drive some away as result, going from the helmet flame-wars in the comments on this strip!