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Leather or vinyl Rick Mayer seat

H

Harrington

Guest
I can't make up my mind over which seat to get. Leather seems good but it may be more maintenance than I want.

Oops..I screwed up. I wanted to add a poll but I hit submit first.


Options

All Leather
All vinyl
Leather top with vinyl sides.
 
I have leather, I like leather, I care for my leather Bill Mayer saddle, but I wear textile clothing and can't tell that I have a leather seat.

If you ride with leather pants, blue jeans or cotton pants, you will notice leather. If you ride ATGATT, you may not ever feel the difference. JMHO

I have no problem with it getting wet and it cleans up nicely.

HTH

Doc
 
I have a vinyl Rick Mayer saddle and have had leather in the past. I can't tell the difference from a comfort standpoint.
 
We struggled with this question too. I went with the vinyl basket weave so that it still has breathability. (is that a word???)

Love it!
 
I've owned two of Rick's saddles (2 different bikes) - both leather. I've also used Corbin & Sargent vinyl covered saddles.

I love leather - until it gets wet. Once it's wet it is miserable.

On my RT it never gets wet while the bike is moving - it only happens if I leave the bike standing in the rain with the saddle uncovered.

I clean it 3 - 4 times a year with saddle soap followed by a generous coat of mink oil. I use a blow dryer to warm the leather & melt the mink oil.

My next saddle will probably be vinyl basket weave with minimal seams - maybe a Bill Mayer.
 
alien_hitchhiker said:
I clean it 3 - 4 times a year with saddle soap followed by a generous coat of mink oil. I use a blow dryer to warm the leather & melt the mink oil.

Going back to my riding days (horse, that is...) here's a trick I used for cleaning and oiling my tack. Pour a little oil (or even Lexol) in a dish and microwave for 30 seconds. Your leather will love you!

Tracy
 
Wet weather isn't the only kind to think about. If your seat gets a lot of sun-exposure (as in parked in direct hot sun for long periods) leather might not be as good a choice. I have a vinyl Rick Mayer and I have no regrets about choosing the vinyl.
 
The love of money

I love my RM saddle. For the money vinyl is the way to go. No worries mate. Just the seat of comfort.
 
I just finished a 3500 mile ride on a new (to me) GS that has a new Sargent seat. It ain't no Mayer or Russell ( which I have on my RT). Ouch.A new seat from Russell or the Mayers is top priority.
 
seat

I thing of buying a rick seat is that good of a seat or should I be looking else where for the seat
 
leather will breath and is way better. Vinyl will cause hotspots and discomfort.
I rode across Washington in 111 degree heat on vinyl LT seats. I got an Alaska leather sheepskin ordered when I returned. Sheepskin covers look like ****, but definetely needed for a vinyl seat.
Leather is the only way to go..!!

Hbar
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