The Brooks Brand Manager tells me that there are three shipments en-route to arrive this month at the American importer.
I have also been told that the Imperial should start shipping at the end of September. There is always a lag for delivery to our shop but we hope that we can have this much anticipated new model for Christmas sales.

Tags: imperial

There are two major bicycle trade shows in September. In the U.S we have Interbike. In Europe it is Eurobike. I have been to Interbike a few times and always enjoyed it. But I was told that Eurobike was the _big_ trade show. This year I decided to make the trip to Germany for a business holiday trip.

There is only one way to say it – Eurobike is HUGE. Fourteen large halls filled with the hopefuls and the giants of the industry.


I have made contact with most of our brands and I have made some new friends. It is long days, hiking the halls, but it is a lot of fun.

When Hurricane Gustav came we had a lot on our minds and we forgot to put an announcement up on the home page and the phone message. The hurricane has come and gone and services are slowly recovering in New Orleans. UPS might have trucks on the road on Monday. As soon as we can ship, and the electricity, which has been erratic, is working, we will start on the backlog of orders made online. I am very sorry for the delay. We will work with any of you who are unhappy about the wait.

Lizzy and Brent are going by the shop to do some preliminary prep and check e-mails. I am in Germany for Eurobike.

Bill

note: 6/18/09 – The Berthoud saddles will be here any day. See this post.

Friedrichstafen, Germany -Gilles Berthoud presented his new leather saddle to the world bicycle trade yesterday to a very favorable reception.

The Berthoud leather saddle comes in three colors: black, “cork” and natural. The natural color is not dyed and will vary with the hide used. The saddles are pre-softened by hand.

The initial model is a casual-riding saddle, something between the B.17 and the Team Pro. It will come in men’s and women’s version. Plans include sport models and lightweight models.

The Berthoud saddle has many unique features. A partial list includes:
Extra thick leather
The leather can be easily removed with an allen key
Patented tensioning mechanism that won’t twist
Flexible cantle plate for extra comfort.
Lighter than a Brooks
Brass washers engraved “Gilles Berthoud France”
Nose washer engraved with sequential serial number

M. Berthoud has also developed leather grips, bar tape, and handlebar plugs.

The saddles should cost in the $250 neighborhood. I wil be able to say better when I know the price the US Importer will charge. Be assured we will have these beautiful new saddles as soon as they are available.

________________________________________

Update: 16 September: The Berthoud distributor in the US (Euro Asia Imports) tells me they expect to get their first shipment of the Berthoud leather line towards the end of December.

Tags: Berthoud, eurobike, new, saddles