The following post contains pics of a twisting problem. The author admits one leg is significantly longer than the other which contributes to this. It isn't spreading, it's twisting. It isn't video but it's objective evidence that works for me.

I am not trying to be argumentative, I am just in search of facts.

By clamping the two rails together, the in-plane stiffness is greatly increased. The two rails are effectively an inch or so wide, rather than 1/4" wide. The nose cannot twist without bending the rails, so a stiffer rail will oppose the twist. The Brooks avoids this problem by using a one piece rail (the two rails are joined at the nose). In the rear, the rails are welded to the crescent (canticle?) which increases stiffness.


Quoting from the links, above:

Rene Sterental

Update on Berthoud Saddle twisting problem... The "solution" piece was mailed to me by Bill from Wallingford Bikes (one for each of my saddles) and I proceeded to install it as instructed. It's actually a very simple solution, very light as it's made of aluminum and it instantly stiffened the saddle to make it extremely rigid. As Bill explained it, the rails are held by the pressure of the leather and that is what makes the saddles prone to the twisting. With this stiffener the problem is completely solved. He said these pieces were going to be included with all new saddles, but I'm not sure if they already are. Photos are posted: *http://tinyurl.com/3edmlo9* The link should take you to the first one where you see both halves of the stiffener, click next to see the upper half in place and then next again to see the full assembly. I'm completely satisfied with this solution and keep on loving these saddles.

René




The "solution" piece was mailed to me by Bill from Wallingford Bikes (one
for each of my saddles) and I proceeded to install it as instructed. It's
actually a very simple solution, very light as it's made of aluminum and it
instantly stiffened the saddle to make it extremely rigid.


As Bill explained it, the rails are held by the pressure of the leather and
that is what makes the saddles prone to the twisting. With this stiffener
the problem is completely solved. He said these pieces were going to be
included with all new saddles, but I'm not sure if they already are.


Photos are posted: *http://tinyurl.com/3edmlo9*
The link should take you to the first one where you see both halves of the
stiffener, click next to see the upper half in place and then next again to
see the full assembly.


I'm completely satisfied with this solution and keep on loving these
saddles.


René

I just bought a new GB saddle and it did include the stiffener. I tried to twist it, and it is IMPOSSIBLE to get the rails to come out, or even remotely close to doing so. The frame is very stiff, and I am very happy with the construction of it so far. Very high quality.

As for comfort, I find the saddle is comfortable enough while I break it in. When I first jump on the bike, it feels extremely comfortable, but after the first 15 mins, the stiffness of the leather becomes apparent. I find that I need to point the nose of the saddle up a bit, or I feel like I'm sliding down - but my understanding is that this is pretty typical while breaking in any leather saddle. I usually have my saddles pretty level. I currently have the saddle on a bike that have the handlebars bars about 1.5in/4cm below the saddle, and when I am in the drops, the nose almost feels to high since the nose of the saddle is pointed up a bit. For me, I wouldn't use this saddle on a bike with a more aggressive drop. Eventually, this saddle will go on my new touring bike that I'm assembling. This bike will have the bars will be slightly above my saddle, and I think the GB saddle will work great for me after it breaks in a bit and I can mount the saddle level, or even slightly nose down. I only have about 200km so far on the saddle and am using the GB saddle conditioner to hopefully speed up the break-in.

Apologies for the necropost, but I am curious if you decided you liked the saddle with the tensioner?

Also, some people gave you a pile of crap about treating with Obenhauf's.

Compass Cycles, which sells these saddles (and the stiffener for $14 if anyone requires a retrofit), recommends Obenhaufs: https://www.compasscycle.com/shop/co...-aspin-saddle/

I have a Berthoud Galibier saddle and use only Berthoud's own saddle "Graisse" with really good results.
keeps the leather looking like new and prevents drying out and has not oversoften/ break down the leather. Also use the Berthoud stuff on my Brooks Pros and Imperial saddles with the same good results. Even use it on my plastic based padded, smooth leather covered saddles (Turbos, Rolls and Flite). Thinking already of getting a second tin of the Berthoud product.
Why risk using the Obenhauf stuff when you can get the Bertboud "Graisse", made specifically for bike saddles?

Necropost for sure, but I'll add a data point. I like mine, I treat it with Obenhauf's, and it is a comfortable saddle. It takes a long time to break in. My Aspin is narrower than the Brooks B17s I am used to. Also, I don't have to position it nose up as far as the Brooks B17s to keep from sliding forward.

That's quite some colour change, I would have expected it to darken a little but that's a lot more than I expected, looks lovely now! I always bought the black ones as they 'go' with everything but I do like the brown ones on the right bike.

I have 3 GB's on the go, an Aspin on my commuter, and a Galibier and a Soulor on audax (randonneur) bikes, only the Galibier (Ti rails) came with the stiffener, the other two don't have it but none of them have ever twisted for me (~75kgs), totally sold on them, way better than Brooks for my backside anyway, but I do wish there was a little more rail length, have to use layback posts and push the saddle right back to fit me, but I had that problem (worse) with Brooks too.