Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: Paul on 29 November, 2015, 10:44:17 am
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(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/gaydisco/DSCF2858.jpg) (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/gaydisco/media/DSCF2858.jpg.html)
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/gaydisco/DSCF2862.jpg) (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/gaydisco/media/DSCF2862.jpg.html)
:o
This is Dylan's saddle: it's (the rear) one of 3 on Bob (the triple seater). As such, it is kept in the same place as the other two. But only this one has gone this way. It has happened in the last 3 or 4 weeks (it's about that long since we were out on him last)
I'm not absolutely sure that there isn't a leak in the shed over the area where this saddle is, but if so, it's been leaking since the (stupid, thin, metal) shed was erected 3 years ago. Would 3/4 weeks' of rain ingress cause this? Why just now (and not, say, in the preceding 3 years)?
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Well, it's definitely fungus spore season so I don't know if that's of any relevance.
The cooking implements in my kitchen cupboards went like that a few weeks ago in my damp kitchen, if anything worse - all the colours of the rainbow :(
Is that saddle kept in the corner of the shed where there's less air movement?
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I've had them go that way. Wipe off the mould, perhaps with a mild detergent, then wrap the saddle in plastic when not in use.
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Is that saddle kept in the corner of the shed where there's less air movement?
Interesting question. It's right at the back of the shed. I don't know whether there's more or less air movement back there. There's 'ventilation' all around the shed, by virtue of the corrugation of the walls, and the slatted nature of the floor.
In situ, this saddle is about 2 feet (maybe 2 and a half) behind its slightly higher brother, which is likewise from the eldest.
This saddle came to me 9 years ago on another bike. It is stamped as a Brooks Pro on the wings, but the metal plate on the back is small, flat and worn completely blank. I think it might be 25 years old (more or less). Most of my others are no more than 10 years old.
They are all regularly (if not often) proofed.
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I've had them go that way. Wipe off the mould, perhaps with a mild detergent, then wrap the saddle in plastic when not in use.
Oh. So it's not dying/dead then? I was going to look into replacing the leather (unless that's daftly expensive). I'll give cleaning it a go.
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Maybe there was something different transferred onto that saddle during the last ride. How well would the rider take queries about having a mouldy bum?
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If you think it's dead there's probably not much you can do to make it even more dead.
Certainly worth restoring after doing a little research into leather restoration.
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I've had hiking boots go that way when kept in a moist location. Clean thoroughly then dry out for several days in a not too warm place. Only re-proof when you are sure the moisture is out. Should be fine.
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It happens. Clean it down with a moist rag and let it dry thoroughly in a well ventilated place, then wash the rag in hot water outside. Saddle will be fine.
Does your saddle have Brooks proofide on it? Proofide contains a mixture of natural oils and waxes which are a natural food stuff for mould, etc. In future, just make sure any excess Proofide is removed by rubbing down the saddle a few days after proofing. That should mop up any oils that come to the surface during that period and reduce the amount of food available for mould.
Whenever the saddle gets damp thereafter, let it dry throughly in a well ventilated place before putting it back 'in storage'. That should make the saddle top a less-than-ideal habitat for mould. But if there's further growth, just wipe it off again.
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I think it is possible that several weeks of rain with not enough time (and warmth) between rainfalls to dry out would make something grow mould in a way that an equal amount of rain but with time to dry out between falls would not, IYSWIM. At least, judging by the top corner of our bedroom ceiling. :(
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I painted my mouldy leather Pedersen saddle with a solution of copper sulphate I'd snaffled from Sibling's Chemistry Set.
That seemed to cure it.
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At first glance I thought that was an aubergine found in the back of the fridge.
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Maybe there was something different transferred onto that saddle during the last ride. How well would the rider take queries about having a mouldy bum?
I can confidently say that there would be trouble. :hand:
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I've had them go that way. Wipe off the mould, perhaps with a mild detergent, then wrap the saddle in plastic when not in use.
Thanks for this. I washed it in a bleach solution and dried it. It's as good as it was before the mould.
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Bum cream as culture medium?
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Mind bleach, please...
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Wipe off blue stuff with cloth damp with Detol. Or Jeyes Fluid.
Appy proofide and rub in thoroughly.
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Mind bleach, please...
Nah but 'tis serious. Certain brands of the stuff go through the shorts and coat the saddle liberally. Some years ago I lent a spare saddle to a chum, and a month or two after I got it back it developed mould in what I presume was the area in contact with his nether regions.
Could have been sweat too, I suppose.
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My money's on cod oil, vegetable oil and tallow (http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/brooks-proofride-saddle-dressing#description).
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My money's on,
http://www.hoofcareshop.com/gold-label-glycerin-leather-saddle-soap-p-583.html?gclid=CKvRmZ2j3ckCFRQTGwodiFsOUQ
Bees wax and neatsfoot oil.
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It's almost certainly wild penicillin. Anyone lucky enough to ride that bike will develop resistance to all known ailments and some yet to be discovered. Not including the common cold if there is such a thing any more.
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I've not ridden much of late, and the Sardar has been somewhat neglected this year. It is stored in a dry shed, but the past winter has not been kind.
As I received the saddle as a gift from a chum, I'm not sure of its care history.
My question is; before applying loads and loads of Proofide, should I do anything else? Perhaps to kill the mould?
Your expert advice would be most welcome.
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That doesn't look very serious. I'd just wipe the mould off with a dry cloth.
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I'm sure we've had similar threads before.
I nicked some copper sulphate from sibling's chemistry set and painted my mouldy Pedersen saddle with this.
Seemed to cure it.
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That doesn't look very serious. I'd just wipe the mould off with a dry cloth.
The photo of the saddle is after vigorous wiping with a dry cloth. My concern is that the mould has entred the leather and maybe needs to be killed first.
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I'm sure we've had similar threads before.
I nicked some copper sulphate from sibling's chemistry set and painted my mouldy Pedersen saddle with this.
Seemed to cure it.
*checks on line for the West Wales Copper Sulphate Centre*
;D
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Chlorox is the go-to answer for the frequent mould problems here in Bermuda.
Risky on a leather saddle though.
Maybe a quick chloox wipe to kill the spores then wash and saddle soap straight afterwards.
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I'd try Proofide on a small area (perhaps to the side of the nose of the saddle) - my kids used to have ponies when they were young and if there was the odd bit of mould on any tack (saddles, bridles etc) saddle-soap (aka Proofide) fixed it and brought it back to life, and got rid of the white stuff.
The other remedy is to put it in the airing cupboard and then apply Proofide (again trying a small area)
Rob
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Hows about a rub down with Miltons steralising fluid and then a bit of proofide? Dont go mad with the proofide, the leather is quite soft already and a quarter turn may be required. The saddle was always kept in the house on or off the bike. Wales has had the odd shower or two in recent months I hear.
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I'm sure we've had similar threads before.
So am I (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=94500.msg1951872#msg1951872).
However, 'my' mould seems to have been of the 'just wipe it off' variety.
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I've asked the mods to merge this thread into Paul's earlier one.
I've figured out why the mould has appeared. (I think). When I walk the dog in the woods, I pick up a couple of large fallen sticks and drop them near the shed. When I've got a few, I crop them into 8 inch lengths and store them on dexian shelving in the shed to dry out. This keeps me with a good supply of kindling.
Some of this wood may have been old and rotting.
Anyway, at Mrs. B's suggestion, I cleaned the saddle with witchhazel. Worked a treat.
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I've asked the mods to merge this thread into Paul's earlier one.
Blimey, that was quick. I wrote the above response, tried to post it and my thread had disappeared. ;D
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I've asked the mods to merge this thread into Paul's earlier one.
And Lo! It was done.
Any risk of a cuppa? We don't get paid extra fer Sundays.
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Good moving, movers. :thumbsup:
Sorry, we're just sitting down as the beef is resting. Tea's off. I can offer you an aperitif. Or perhaps a glass of Chateau Lidl red?
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This old woman doesn't 'arf repeat herself... ;) ;D
Spose that's what old women DO!
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I had the same happen with a Brooks B17 in a very damp garage, I just wiped it down with a meths soaked rag and when clean and dry proofhide. That was 15 years ago on a saddle that was already 10 years old .... it's still in use on the Brompton.
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For completeness, I once had a proper saddle go fuzzy in a superficially similar way: It had become impregnated with minty arse lard, which had oozed to the surface and formed a layer of slime over a few weeks when I hadn't ridden the bike due to injury. It just wiped off.
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I've not ridden much of late, and the Sardar has been somewhat neglected this year. It is stored in a dry shed, but the past winter has not been kind.
As I received the saddle as a gift from a chum, I'm not sure of its care history.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Bloke_on_a_bike/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160423_170537_zpsozu8updx.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bloke_on_a_bike/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160423_170537_zpsozu8updx.jpg.html)
My question is; before applying loads and loads of Proofide, should I do anything else? Perhaps to kill the mould?
Your expert advice would be most welcome.
Drink the wine. HTH
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Where'd the photo disappear to ???
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Where'd the photo disappear to ???
Still there. Can you not see it?
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It's there for me now, but had vanished last night.
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Yeah, there was a photobucket error image last night, but it's back now.
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It had become impregnated with minty arse lard, which had oozed to the surface and formed a layer of slime
??? :(
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Funny thing is that I have several leather saddles of a variety of makers and up to 50 years old and I don't have any moulds growing in spite of keeping them in a very damp garage with a badly leaking roof. Could the radioactive Limousin rain have something to do this? They don't get to see enough use for any other factor to have an effect.
Is that real wine or Austrian anti-freeze? Could this be part of the problem?
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Funny thing is that I have several leather saddles of a variety of makers and up to 50 years old and I don't have any moulds growing in spite of keeping them in a very damp garage with a badly leaking roof. Could the radioactive Limousin rain have something to do this? They don't get to see enough use for any other factor to have an effect.
Is that real wine or Austrian anti-freeze? Could this be part of the problem?
That's odd because I have 2 leather saddles in the Limousin that both suffer mould of the wipe off variety. Their stable is dry but airy. Maybe mould is like dry rot - the degree of humidity has to be exactly right? Too much and it doesn't like it.
It would hesitate to use a saddle with non-wipable mould lest it be contagious. I wouldn't want to go all blotchy like that.
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Could be Botrytis cinerea (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_rot).