Brooks B17 vs. Berthoud Mente
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
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.
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.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 1,916
Bikes: Look 585
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
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.
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.
#3
Senior Member
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).
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
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.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Fife Scotland
Posts: 2,053
Bikes: Airnimal Chameleon; Ellis Briggs; Moulton TSR27 Moulton Esprit
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3291 Post(s)
Liked 827 Times
in
583 Posts
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.
#6
Banned
B17 select's leather is Thicker than the Main Line 17 saddle too.. to narrow that difference.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
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.
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.
#8
Banned
I thought of that, but the Select isn't available in black.
Its Un Dyed, so Dye It Yourself.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
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.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tiggermaxcocoa
Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling
15
02-10-10 02:34 AM