I'm also torn between Gilles Berthoud and Cambium saddles, both from a functional and from an aesthetic standpoint. I appreciate that Cambium is seemingly impervious to poor weather and requires little maintenance. However, a leather saddle will improve with age (as long as it's properly maintained) whereas a Cambium saddle is as good as it gets out of the box and then slowly wears out? I'm also a little worried about a Cambium saddle grinding through the fabric of my pants. Sure, I will be riding my bike for exercise, but mostly for commuting dressed in something you'd wear in an office. The cotton fabric of the saddle kind of felt sandpaper-y. Is this suitable for someone who doesn't wear lycra 24/7?

I went to a LBS and asked about Brooks saddles, a B17 special or perhaps a Cambium saddle, but the guy steered me towards Gilles Berthoud saddles instead. He handed me one of each and the quality of the leather so much nicer on the Berthoud than the Brooks saddle. I do find it hard to get over the plastic bits though. And Brooks does make a pretty saddle, even if it's some kind of new rubber wizardry rather than leather. Those of you who ride the Berthoud, have you had any issues with the placement of the bolts?