Gilles Berthoud Saddle
 

There is another active thread going on about Brooks saddles, and I am a huge fan of brooks saddles, with B-17s on each of the three bikes that I ride the most.

I had never thought of another saddle until recently when I saw one of the Gilles Berthoud Leather Saddles, and began to think that perhaps this might be real competition to Brooks.

The leather seemed to be a bit heavier than what I have on my B-17s, and OMG, are they gorgeous.

I was wondering if anybody here has one, and what their posterior might have to say about it.....

225$ And plastic??? I don't own a brooks yet as ive been window shopping around but that certainly isn't going to be considered. If I buy a leather saddle I don't want any part of it to be plastic kinda defeats the purpose.

the combining Machine screws with grommets in the leather is clever,
Instead of putting it together with rivets..

Commuting on one ? I'd think you should have a Private office to park your bike in,
after reading about others getting their saddle nicked.

Have had a brooks Pro for 30 years , now the trendy customer base,
is younger than my saddle ..

Well, I ride a Brooks, but, a well known bike parts dealer in New Orleans, that sells alot of saddles, rode a Berthound saddle on Sundays ride.

Alternatives to Brooks.

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...s/saddles.html
http://www.cardiffltd.com/

Both are cheapers and though I have a Brooks. I haven't heard anything bad about them.

Funny, I kind of feel the same way about plastic (carbon fiber) bikes, and look at what some people spend on those!

Seriously though, I don't think that the use of plastic where they have used plastic is inappropriate. My reaction when I saw the saddle was that it looked like a very high quality product, and the finish on it was certainly equal to, or better than that on my brooks saddles.

Yeah don't get me wrong they are beautiful saddles, I just feel if im spending over 200 bucks on a seat I want it steel and leather ya know.

Lighter than a Brooks because of use of plastic in an area where it will do the most good. I can see how some people would jump at it, but also understand totally where you're coming from. If I was going that upscale, I'd go with one of the more expensive Brooks; only reason I'd be looking elsewhere is for something cheaper like the Cardiff or VO saddles someone else posted. Not a Brooks fanatic, will dump them immediately if I find something more comfy.

Just a quick comment on the integrated bag loops. I am not really a fan of them on any saddle because they limit what you can use to attach bags with. I rigged up a DIY quick release for one of my bags and I cannot use it with integrated bag loops. You can see the Giles Berrthoud loops are particularly tunnel shaped. It probably doesn't matter to most people, but it's a small thing to think about.

Here is my DIY bag release with a Brooks pro and viva bag loops.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/...57157522_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/...10607b4b_z.jpg

I fitted a Mintoura double water bottle mount to the seat rails of my Non leather saddle .
and P clip around the Dowel running across the saddle bag's, inside.
saw off the lower of the 2 threaded inserts.. the bottle mount arms are the right width
to match the strap holes in the bags.

The Cardiff and VO saddles look a lot like a Brooks. Nothing wrong with that, I love my two B-17s.

The Gilles Berthoud has it's own unique look. Honestly, I'm not fond of the look, but if you like it, and are comfortable on it, by all means, buy it!

I'm going to try one sooner or later. I find my Brook saddles very comfortable and my Selle Anatomica saddles about 30% more comfy than a Brooks, but the Brooks looks nicer. The GB has the potential to be more comfy than the Brooks and as good looking. Could be a winner...

They put their leather and nose piece on a brooks Pro frame I had with a old bone dry hide on it,
[it tore like cardboard]
so I got to try a Selle Anatomica for less than full SRP .
didnt like the edges of the cut out, resold it..
may seek out a direct order, and ask for one with the hole to not be cut.

Mean to measure My Floor Pumps , leather seals and packing is the main product line.
and new leather cups on the plungers may make them more efficient.