Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Brooks vs Berthoud

Hey Everyone,

I'm looking for some advice regarding Berthoud saddles (tried a search, but not much info), because my Fizik just isn't cutting it for longer rides. I picked up a Brooks Swallow off of Ebay that seems okay, but it's a bit used so I don't know if a saddle formed to my butt would be more comfortable.

Peter White seems to like the Berthoud better than the Brooks, but I just want to see if anyone here has done any direct comparisons.

Thanks

I can't say much about the Berthoud, but I'd suggest putting Selle Anatomica on your list of options, as well. There are several very lengthy threads on BF about Brooks v. SA, and the various issues with SA (which in my opinion SA has solved). Similar in price to the middle-range Brooks models and a bit cheaper than the Berthouds.

You can also take a look at the Velo Orange saddles, in case you needed more off-topic suggestions. :p I have had two so far and really like them.

The only review of the Berthoud saddle I have seen was by Jan Heine in BQ. He was generally favorable but I get the impression he wasn't completely convinced about a leather saddle with that much plastic in it.

I can't say much about the Berthoud, but I'd suggest putting Selle Anatomica on your list of options, as well. There are several very lengthy threads on BF about Brooks v. SA, and the various issues with SA (which in my opinion SA has solved). Similar in price to the middle-range Brooks models and a bit cheaper than the Berthouds.

I may give the Selle Anatomica a try.

Mine was extremely comfortable, but wore out in a bit under two years. I'm not sure how I feel about that...

There's a local rando who uses SA saddles, and says he can't seem to get more than 5k mi out of one. And he's not exactly big: like 135 lb soaking wet. Reason enough for me to stick w/ my old B17. I'd love to try a Berthoud, but the price puts me off a bit.

SP
Bend, OR

I was never able to get an SA to work for me. Sold it in about 8 months. Rode it for about a month, then would swap it in and out after that trying to like it.
Tensioned it out to the max, still felt like I was sitting in a hammock that wasn't stretched right.
Always felt like I was losing power mushing into the saddle.

Happy with a B17 and a Ti Swallow.

As far as SA longevity, I don't know yet. I only have about 200 miles on mine. I'm just getting out this year, and had to cut my riding short early last year (late summer). It's tensioned up about 60%. We'll see. Nice and comfy, though. I haven't noticed any loss of power. (like I have so much extra ... Ha!)

I was never able to get an SA to work for me. Sold it in about 8 months. Rode it for about a month, then would swap it in and out after that trying to like it.
Tensioned it out to the max, still felt like I was sitting in a hammock that wasn't stretched right.
Always felt like I was losing power mushing into the saddle.

Happy with a B17 and a Ti Swallow.

This was precisely my experience with SA, too. I loved the cut out, but at 225+ pounds, the thing just sagged under my bulk. I opted to send a B-17 to Monarch-McLaren and have them cut a SA slot into it:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c282/panhead74/100_0781.jpg

I punched a few holes into it and laced it in order to keep it firm. I prefer this saddle to a Brooks Imperial that I also tried for a few hundred miles.

At about 165 lb dripping wet I have about 7,000 miles on a Sel-Anatomica Titanico with no problems and no discernible deterioration. However, I do not feel that it is any more comfortable than my B17 which also has about 7,000 miles.