I know I saw a link on how to do this recently, but I can’t find it. I think it is called a California Roll or something like that. I want to do this to my saddle to save my knees and I will be at an Amish shop this week picking up some other stuff so it would be easy to pick up the leather straps I would need.
Christa
Not familiar with how to tie. I store my saddle with a broomstick/dowel run through the stirrups. This “trains” them to stay in the correct position when I ride.
Broomstick works nicely ~
Broomstick works nicely ~!
[QUOTE=VaqueroToro;6990438]
Are you referring to what’s shown at the bottom of this page?
ETA: This one is a bit more visual.[/QUOTE]
Thank you, that is exactly what I was thinking of.
I have done the broomstick method, but they always seem to slightly untwist and with both knees having minor issues I want the stirrups to stay in the right spot.
Christa
Google “stirrup turners” and you’ll find products you can buy for around $20.
Easiest way to get them set is the old way - a sponge, a pail of water, a pail of sand/bricks/heavy stuff and a length of 2X4 lumber. Saddle goes on a high open rack, you case the lower third of the leather and fender (wet well on the inside with a sponge), twist one leather and run the ‘stick’ through, add the pail that will hold bricks or whatever, twist the other leather and put the stick through then add weight to the pail to hold things down. Allow to dry completely, at least 3 days, see if it has taked the twist, and if so, condition the leather and use the saddle and if not, repeat one more time. For long term storage of the saddle, keep the fenders twisted and no problems.
I also use the inexpensive “broomstick” method.
I have one saddle with ‘the roll.’ But really it isn’t necessary if you use the broomstick technique to break in your fenders. Get fenders good and wet, or well oiled, twist the stirrups a turn and a half, insert broomstick. Once broken in, I haven’t found a need to use the broomstick for long term storage. Including a saddle acquired in 1965.
If you want your stirrups turned in the Hamley twist style, take your saddle in to a saddle shop. They can do it right and inexpensively if you don’t want the broomstick method. It all depends on your saddle, how much leather under your leg and your comfort.
[QUOTE=Cindyg;6990831]
Google “stirrup turners” and you’ll find products you can buy for around $20.[/QUOTE]
I bought a pair of stirrup turners (cannot remember exactly which ones) after I had knee/leg surgery. Altough they sound great in theory, I did not have much success with them. I stuck with the broom method and would just have to hang my leg at times to relieve my knee. Fortunately, I am pretty much recovered now.
Nothing is more miserable than Knee pain after hours in the saddle. Hope you find something that works for you.
Yep, I also dampened the fenders and set a broomstick through them. Worked very well. You can always turn 'em further if you think they’re gonna revert back. . .
Sorry, as time goes on, I like the twisted and tied stirrups because there is NO PULL on my knees at all. Have done the broomstick method on a number of saddles, was fine until after my knee surgery. Knee is not painful until I ride in a saddle without the stirrups tied into their twist.
Pull of the fender is miniscule, but without tying the fender into the twist, there is ALWAYS some bit of pull on my foot that affects my knee.
With the wrap of fender, there is no pull on my foot. Knee doesn’t hurt using those wrapped and twisted fenders. No pain is the evidence I go with. My fenders WERE soft, twisted easily, just still applied that tiny pressure to the knee that was unacceptable over the length of the ride.
Funny how such a SMALL pull can make you hurt with the knee after surgery. I can do anything else with fixed knee, not have pain.
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