Not sure if this is the correct forum ..

I'm back in the market for a leather saddle. Have ruled out the Brooks B17 which I had however I need a cutout (may consider their B17 cutout model but would like something lighter). Tried the Selle Anatomica X2 but it was too 'hammocky' .. very little lateral support so I returned it.

That leaves me with a Rivet or Berthoud. Any opinions on these manufacturers? I've heard that the Rivet's tend to be similar to Selles - is this accurate?
Thanks!

You want leather, light and a cutout. Pick two. AFAIK, there's no ti-railed Imperials or similar.

Gyes has a new and larger cutout on their website.

Or contact www.RHMsaddles.com



A shapely cutout

Or one more open and utilitarian in appearance

I have all three.

My preference

1. B17
2. Berthod Aravis
3. Rivet

The rivet moves too much for me but it is a very nice saddle. Maybe it is great for someone with sore butt. Berthod and B17 are different. Depends on the bike, which I prefer

I think I'll probably got w/ the Berthoud as I like a fairly stiff saddle and from what I've heard the Rivet probably won't fit the bill.

Plus - Berthoud is having a nice sale right now their titanium railed saddles are about $65 off.

I had a B17 Champion (Pro-thick leather, big rivets) that I had slotted by Selle An-Aatomica before they were doing their own saddles. Nice, but didn’t care for the side skirt flare under pressure. Not a defect - my right knee stays inward (just clears the TT) through the pedal stroke so it rubbed the skirt, and my right “sit bone” is deeper that then the left. Used it for about a decade on my then-only bike, but never loved either one. I’ve also had other B-17’s and a few Swifts.

I’ve since had:
- Slotted 2013 S-A - didn’t like the skirt flare and generally triangular shape. My early example required lots of bolt tightening in only 400 miles of use. I hear they’re now better in that regard.
- Unslotted early (2013) Berthoud Aravis (Ti rails) - Love, love, love it! Don’t miss the slot and it now has over 12,000 miles of use. This one in Natural finish took about 500-600 miles to break in, but comfortable from the start. How comfortable? Two years after purchase I rode it 140 miles one day, and happy to get on it for 70 miles the next, 30 miles the day after that. Photo below is after one year and dent from my right sitbone is obvious. The light color has become very dark brown over the years. I tighten the adjustment bolt about 1/2 turn every year. I take advantage of the bolted, not riveted, top and remove it for treatment with Obenuaf’s or GB stuff every year.
- Unslotted Rivet Independence (Ti rails) on my other bike - Got it because of the slightly longer rails (~1cm) compared to Berthoud, but it never really broke in to my strange anatomy in 2000 miles, to the point that I felt bruised after a 3-day, 170-mile tour. I’d sell it, but nice to have a 3rd saddle for “bike tests”.
- Unslotted 2019 Berthoud Aravis - My lovely cyclist wife gave me one in black as a birthday present after that Rivet experience. I’d found a long setback post for the Miyata so it fits just like the Marinoni. It’s as comfy as the natural one after about 1500 miles, but took longer to break in. The adjustment bolt is just barely snug - loosened it from the start. Flex feels the same as the other Berthoud.

For me and my princess posterior, saddle tilt is very important. Can’t stand those notched seatposts, and far prefer the two-bolt adjustment of the early VO Long Setback post in the photo.

Also FWIW, I weigh 170-175, with very long femurs for my 6’ height, hence the preference for lots of setback.

Bottom Line for my bottom: Berthoud Aravis FTW!

Selle used to make a heavier saddle with no cut out. I find their cutouts a little to much also but still better than the B17's I had. So I bought one without a cutout and cut my own that didn't go all the way back to the rear rail. It is, by far, the most comfortable, narrow saddle I have.


Selle Anatomica with custom cut. I cut this from a saddle with no cut out.

Stock cut out from Selle Anatomica.