Brooks B17 vs. Berthoud Mente
 

Anyone ever compare these two? Planning to get a new bike soon, and I'd like to get a nice saddle for it. I was looking at the B17 variants, since I have a Flyer on my current bike, which I'm mostly happy with. I've seen the Gilles Berthoud saddles mentioned online in a few places, but didn't really look at them until last night, and I like the price of the Mente, but I'm concerned about the possibility of it being slightly too wide.

I don't know my sit bone width, but I like what I refer to as an "aggressive upright" position on the bike...a little bit forward, with maybe an inch's drop from saddle to bars, but still upright enough to see where I'm going. It'd be going on a Bianchi Volpe.

Cannot speak to the b17 vs mente. My road bike's geometry is fairly relaxed, i'v had both a books team pro Ti and berthoud Aravis mounted on it. Team pro is comfortable and nicely broken in, the Aravis is a lot newer (not yet really broken in). They are similar, with Aravis saddle nose being slightly wider and flatter than team pro. Aravis saddle rails are slightly longer. Aravis leather was stiffer than anticipated from various advertising blurbs, seems like it is starting to break in more quickly than the team pro did. Got the Aravis because i was curious to try a different saddle - Both saddles are quite comfortable for me (do need more time on the Aravis).

Looks like something I had listed on CL will be selling tomorrow, so I may actually have enough for the Berthoud Aspin, which is the one that initially got my attention. I'm gonna try to take a look at them side by side with the B17 at Harris, either on my next day off work, or maybe Friday morning if I can manage to get up early enough.

There is a huge difference in quality between the two saddles. The Berthoud has thicker leather but it is the quality of construction which is staggering. The Berthoud saddle does not break-in by the conventional manner as per the Brooks but rather is a hammock-type ride as a result of the greater thickness of the leather.

B17 select's leather is Thicker than the Main Line 17 saddle too.. to narrow that difference.

I thought of that, but the Select isn't available in black.

I did some sitbone measurements...some on my own at home last night, and I stopped by a Specialized dealer this afternoon and used their measuring stool thing. I came up with about 111mm between the center of each depression, and 146mm for the outside edges. The Specialized tool said 143mm, I think, so I'm guessing that's based on overall width.

You Never heard of Leather shoe dye where you live? No shoe repair shops ?

Its Un Dyed, so Dye It Yourself.

me too,I'm guessing that's based on overall width.thanks for your sharing http://www.oksky.us/imiss/images/7.gif

I ended up picking up the Berthoud Aspin a couple days ago. It's taken me some time to dial in the position, and it didn't strike me as particularly comfortable out of the box...but then, I've never been the first owner of a leather saddle before. I think I've got it positioned correctly now, so I'm gonna try to take it out for a longer ride tomorrow, and see how it works out. The construction quality is awesome, and I love the feel of the leather under my fingers when I touch it.