This weekend (7/11-12/09) my wife, Erin, will have this Berthoud equipped Airnimal bike on the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic. If you are on the ride, and would like to see the saddle up close, keep an eye out for her. She’ll be glad to show it to you.

Tags: stp berthoud

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.

from BICYCLE QUARTERLY

The spring issue of Bicycle Quarterly magazine contains a test of the new Berthoud saddle. Editor Jan Heine cautions that the saddle is fairly new to him and points out a couple of negative points but he also says; “This saddle has been among the most comfortable saddles I have ridden.” and; “Overall I highly recommend the Berthoud saddle.”

We hope to have this new saddle in-stock sometime in April.

Bicycle Quarterly website

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Gilles Berthoud reports that he is having some trouble with equipment needed to produce his new, innovative, leather saddle. His idea was to do some of the leather work with CNC equipment. He searched for a long time and finally found one little company that promised to supply the machine he needed. The machine, adequate for prototyping and sample work, proved to be not up to the job for production. Now Gilles is developing his own CNC machine to meet his requirements. This unexpected difficulty has caused some delay. Stay tuned.

1/26/09 UPDATE: Berthoud reports that his new CNC machine has passed his tests and he is near production on the new leather saddle. A firm ETA was not given but we hope to see the new saddles in March.

3/18/09 UPDATE: I hear today that production of Berthoud saddles has begun and mid-April is a possible delivery time.

5/4/09 UPDATE: The US distributor for Berthoud products reports that the first batch of saddles is about ready and will leave France soon. He expects delivery in 2-3 weeks. (then another week to us).

6/4/09 UPDATE: The US shipment of saddles has left France. UK dealers have them available now. Expect our price to be lower than the UK price.

You got pretty close to guessing the function of our mystery machine but you didn’t quite get it.

Gilles Berthoud needed to test the strength of his new saddle design so he invented this machine to give it a workout. He was pleased to report that his new saddle lasted far longer than comparable saddles. The saddle went 84 hours without breaking. The nose, rails, and crescent all survived intact. Another popular brand of saddle broke after 17 hours.

Here is a very brief video of the machine in action.

Downloadable PDF with more details about the new Berthoud leather saddle. Includes leather grips, tape, and bar plugs.

Tags: berthoud saddle