Lacing a Saddle

While most bicycle saddles today are made of plastic, experienced road cyclists know that a leather saddle is far more comfortable. The reason is that leather stretches, and in time, molds itself to the shape of the person sitting on it. The downside to leather is that it eventually stretches too much and becomes splayed, too soft and too wide. Widening of the saddle in the area of the rider's thighs restricts some of the free motion and causes discomfort. This can be remedied by "lacing" the saddle.

Things You'll Need

  • Bicycle wrench
  • Neatsfoot oil or dubbin
  • Leather hole punch
  • Leather lace
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take the saddle off the bicycle, using a wrench to loosen the nuts. If this is a new saddle to you or you do not regularly condition the leather, oil it with neatsfoot oil or rub with dubbin to soften it and preserve it, and help prevent the leather from tearing.

    • 2

      Check to see if your saddle has been made with holes for lacing. If not, with a leather hole punch, punch a series of holes on each side of the saddle about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the bottom edges toward the center and front of the saddle. You do not need to lace the rear portion of the saddle. Three or four holes per side should suffice. The diameter of the holes should be large enough for a shoelace but no larger.

    • 3

      Thread a leather shoelace or thin strip of leather neatly through the holes so the leather lies flat. Criss-cross the lacing under the saddle as you would thread a shoelace. Pull them to the desired tension, and tie them under the seat of the saddle. Replace the saddle onto the bicycle and test it. .Adjust the tension as needed. Tie the laces in a firm knot.