Tag: Sophie

Yesterday I replaced my cheap bicycle seat that’s on Sophie with a brand new Brooks B17 leather saddle. It was a pricey purchase, but I wanted to get one of the best seats out there. The Brooks saddles have a passionate following, with the fans loving the saddle’s comfort and style. When you first get the saddle, you have to condition the leather with some “Proofide”, which is like a waxy oil. This softens the leather a bit, and needs to be applied every now and then to keep the leather from drying out.

Also, the saddle takes a while to “break-in” and conform to your sit-bones. This is what makes the Brooks leather saddles so comfortable. The break-in period is different for everyone, and this was the first day I rode on the saddle, so it’s hard to say for sure if I am a convert or not. But I think it’s going to be great. Even non-broken in, it’s much more comfortable than the previous seat.

Anyways, I’m looking forward to years of enjoyment from the Brooks B17!

BTW, I made a video from today’s short ride. Enjoy!

I have finished restoring Sophie’s handlebars. The final version has the original narrow drop bars wrapped with black cloth tape. I removed the safety levers from the brakes, and added brown hoods, and lastly, the bar ends are fitted with cork from wine bottles.

I seriously thought about replacing the handlebars with new, wider bars, but gave up on the idea. Wide bars simply do not match the aesthetic of the classic bicycle shape. They would be more comfortable, but new bars would be the beginning of a whole new cockpit since I’d have to get new brake levers as well. With new stem, handlebars, and brake levers, Sophie wouldn’t be the same bike that I rode from San Francisco to Los Angeles when I was in high school, and I really don’t like that idea.

Still, I am glad I tried the wide bar idea out. If I didn’t, I would always be thinking about them in the back of my mind.