Berthoud Aspin - To cutout, or not to cutout?

[Sean B.]

Hello,

I'm thinking about replacing my B17 Special and was looking at the Gilles Berthoud Aspin Open Saddle. Has anyone had and positive/negative experiences with them? 

[Sam Perez]

ive had the B17 and B17 imperial and just purchased the aspin a few weeks ago, so far it's  still hard but not uncomfortable. a side by side I felt that the B17 was more comfortable  after a few rides. B17 is a bit wider than the aspin and that makes it initially not noticeable under you. another thing is the B17 and B17 imperial feel different, the imperial cut out feels softer. the aspin is starting to show crease  wrinkles where my sit bones indent but no permanent indentation yet. ill share when put more miles on it, curious about the cut out as well.

On Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 2:49 PM Sean B. <seanc...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello,

I'm thinking about replacing my B17 Special and was looking at the Gilles Berthoud Aspin Open Saddle. Has anyone had and positive/negative experiences with them? 

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[SeanMac]

I have used both of the Aspin models.  I started with the standard model.  It was quite hard and took some time to break-in.  However, I ended up being very happy with it.  However, after using it for a few years, some health concerns made me decide to give the Aspin cutout model (Berthoud, I believe, refers to it as "open").  I used the cutout this season.  At first, the Open model felt noticeably more "flexible" than the standard saddle.  However, after a short period of adjustment, I stopped noticing the differences between the models.  Quite honestly, I still have the standard model sitting on a shelf in my basement "just in case" I decide to try it again or on a different bike.  However, I am pretty happy with the Berthoud Open and will likely keep it on my Black Mountain Cycles Road bike.

Sean

East Aurora, NY

[Nick Payne]

Another option if you want an open leather saddle is the Rivet Pearl: https://rivetcycleworks.com/product/the-pearl/. I have one of these, and it's rather nicely made - the sides are joined underneath, to prevent them splaying:

At 170mm wide it's slightly narrower than the B17 at 175mm but considerably wider than the Aspin at 157mm.

Nick

[ascpgh]

+1 on the Rivet Pearl with cutout Nick!

I met and talked to Deb (the Rivetress) at the Philly Bike Expo last year and chose a Diablo for my new bike that was under way. The width looked precisely what  I needed after review of my B-17 and its sit bone impressions. I rode it for four months including two century rides, determining that I needed a bit longer fore and aft area of consistent width adequate for my sit bone spacing as I move while pedaling in a seated position on varying terrain. The Diabolo cantle shape limited that to the rear for me and adjustment of seat rail  position win the seat post clamp compensated for more forward movement but took me where the saddle narrowed to less than sit bone width. Had I picked Berthoud or Brooks, I too would have an extra hundred dollar saddle I liked 80% on my shelf. 

Rivet has a great warranty where if within 364 days it isn't right, they'll help you figure out the next move and trade you. The others don't do that and it was great it was to have that ability. You can't be too sure you don't pick a saddle with discrete bias or overzealous objectivity and Deb knows that as a long time rando and multiple P-B-P rider.  

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh