Subscribe Feed (RSS)Finally! Berthoud Saddles En-Route
June 17th, 2009 by Bill | Filed under Berthoud, new, saddles.
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.
[...] note: 6/18/09 – The Berthoud saddles will be here any day. See this post. [...]
I was disappointed to hear when I phoned this afternoon that the Berthoud saddle rails are no longer than the Brooks. I am 6'4" and I rely on saddle setback to get my seat where I need it on my 60cm frames. Short saddle rails are the reason I've not been able to use a brooks, even with a setback seatpost. Is there some reason (perhaps to do with the manufacturing process for leather saddles) why Berthoud has taken the same path here?
I don’t have any firm information about this. I can tell you two things. First, if it were possible to make the rails longer I’m sure M. Berthoud would have done it. And second, on Brooks saddles the clamp-area length is limited by the shape of the saddle. If you turn over a Brooks you will see that if the clamp area extended any further forward it would distort the skirts. The Swallow and the Swift don’t have this conflict and their clamp area is longer. I wouldn’t be surprised if Berthoud ran into this same restriction.
Thanks, Bill, that makes sense. If you do find there's a difference when the stock arrives, please let us know. Thank you!