Comments on: Finally! Berthoud Saddles En-Route

By: Damian

Damian — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:47:46 +0000

Thanks, Bill, that makes sense. If you do find there's a difference when the stock arrives, please let us know. Thank you!

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:55:52 +0000

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.

By: Damian

Damian — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:13:57 +0000

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?

By: Berthoud Leather Saddle First Look

Berthoud Leather Saddle First Look — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:43:16 +0000

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