James and Garrett have created this tidy bag rack. Details at Appleblock.

Tags: diy

Our first batch of the new Gilles Berthoud leather saddle is on the way to us from the California distributor. We should have them Friday, 6/19, or the following Monday.

There are men’s and women’s versions of this saddle in three colors:  Natural and black saddles will cost $222. The cork version will cost $233.

Wallingford Bicycle Parts will give you the same six-month unconditional guarantee that we give on new Brooks saddles. For saddles purchased from this first batch we will give you a $10 tin of Berthoud leather dressing at no charge.

We will also have the classy, saddle-matching, bar plugs in road and MTB diameters for $19/pr

These saddles will be for sale on our website soon after we get them. If you would like to pre-order please give us a call at 888 731 3537, M-F 8:30-5:30.

We have high hopes for this innovative new saddle. Gilles Berthoud has been determined to create a new standard for quality and function. We are anxious to try one and get feedback from riders who have put some miles on one.

UPDATE 6/20, Saturday: The saddles arrived late on Friday. They look great and first short rides are encouraging.

Buy Gilles Berthoud leather saddle here!

If you click on the photos to the right you will be taken to our Flickr photostream. I have posted some pictures of the saddle manufacturing process in the Berthoud factory.

innovative new saddle

The latest attempt to re-invent the bicycle saddle: The Manta

The unique French CLB road post is no longer being manufactured. When our current stock runs out we will remove them from the catalog.

These posts have also worn the Vitus brand.

Tags: discontinued, seatpost

“Blocking” is the art of reshaping old Brooks saddles. John Spooner discusses his experience with blocking, and writes about hacking history, in this post on the Classic Lightweights UK website.

There is some discussion of blocking in the bikelists.org archives. Search “soaking.”

Tags: blocking, hacking

The Brooks Saddle Factory

Originally uploaded by Hudsonic

“Hudsonic” has a nice Flickr photoset of pictures from the Brooks factory. If you have a Brooks these shots will give you a good idea of where your saddle came from.