Hi Bill:
I purchased a Berthoud saddle from you in March 2010 and wanted to give you some feedback. I love this saddle! It do take some time to break in, I had ridden about 500 miles and it was still stiff. I rode in a century ride in the rain and that was when everything changed. When I started the ride it was still stiff, when I finished the ride it was perfectly fitted to my anatomy. I have ridden many time since the century and it continues to be on of the best saddles I have used.

Regards,
mark

Just a note to let you know my thoughts on the Berthoud (Aravis) saddle. First off this is a quality piece of kit, the craftsmanship is superb, something saddly lacking in alot of other components today. I am very familiar with leather saddles and do have a preference for their feel and longevity. This however means a little work to bed them in properly. I have a quick and simple way to determine this. Out of the box rap the top of the saddle with your knuckles, a new one will give you a hollow hard ring (no new leather saddle should be soft out of the box), once it is bedded in rap your knuckles on it again and you should get a dull thud.
Thats the easy bit. I ride a 200k brevet every month along with 300k, 400k, 600k, and 1000k every year. I mounted this saddle for a 600k event and took the plunge. Whilst not uncomfortable it was a tough ride on a brand new saddle. After the event I removed the leather shell (good idea) and rubbed a half teaspoon of neat's foot oil on the underside of the leather and let it sit for an hour. I then repeated this step and put the shell back on the frame. I then rubbed a small amount of the oil on the topside on the saddle. I have since completed three 200k events and after the final one this weekend consider the saddle bedded in. The total miles to date on the saddle are 830.
I find the Aravis now very comfortable even compared to the venerable Brooks B17. The Brooks has more of the feel of a hammock whereas the the Aravis seems to keep its shape whilst also being comfortable. I would say it encourages a more aggressive riding position. My own set up has the saddle 1/2" higher than the handlebars. I will be using it for a 1000k event in late August.
The dye in the saddle does tend to wear easily and mine now appears brown in the sun compared to the original black, I do not think this is detremental but others may. One other thing that works for me is the (KlickFix) mount as I have a small berthoud saddle bag, this tidies up the rear of the saddle.
All in all I would say it is worth the investment if your willing to invest the time.

(Note from wallblog: Brooks, Gilles Berthoud, or Wallingford Bicycle Parts do not recommend the use of Neatsfoot oil or any oil-based leather conditioner for treating leather saddles. Wax-based treatments, like Proofide or Berthoud leather conditioner, are much better for the life of the saddle.)

"My initial impression is favourable, I've used it for a couple of hundred miles or so on both bicycle and tricycle, swapping it with a new Swift. I prefer the G.B., although the Swift is pretty good.

A cautionary note: When I received the saddle the stainless countersunk screws were "finger tight", as recommended I used some Loctite and snugged up the screws, during this process one socket became deformed. Should I ever have to remove the leather top I might have difficulty removing this screw, perhaps a warning to future customers might be in order."

"Overall I'm very happy with it and look forward to using it for many miles.

"I have been using the new Berthoud saddle,and I have to tell you- it is wonderful !! Not just comfortable, but the integrated click fix works well and the saddle is a work of art. Thanks !"