Reading saddle threads, B17, Berthoud Mente

[Joel Stern]

I’ve ridden Brooks forever, I had decided to try narrower than my B68 as Oi rubs my inner thigh and is annoying. So I started reading on my old trusty B17.  Wow, so many models and opinions, now some discontinued.  Then I stumbled onto a few (many) comments and threads on Berthoud saddles. Looking at their page I see the Mente is closest in size to the B17, the rest are narrower.  But they seem to not be available unless from an eBay sellers who sell at a very high price.  I ride upright, not 90 degrees but closer than not.  I did read some comments on the durability of the leather which may have been caused by putting Proofide  on it.  Just wondering if any members who ride upright have used the saddle and how they like it.   Not sure if this helps but my sitbones seem to ne a out 90mm apart, +20=110mm.  

[Steve Cole]

Joel,

You can purchase directly from Gilles Berthoud in France.  The website has an English-language version and purchase and receipt has gone perfectly for me on several items.   

Steve Cole

Arlington, VA

[Joel Stern]

Thanks Steve, zi wasn’t sure if that was a good way to go.  Have you ridden the Mente? What do you think of Berthoud vs. Brooks? 

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[Steve Palincsar]

On 7/12/20 1:22 PM, Joel Stern wrote:
>  What do you think of Berthoud vs. Brooks?
>
>

I think for me, the Berthoud shapes are better.  Also, the Berthoud
tension adjustment mechanism is superior.  I like the built-in bag loops
on the Berthoud much better than the metal ones (if present) on Brooks
saddles.  Also Berthoud leather is much better than what Brooks is using
these days.

However, regardless of the convenience of the tension adjuster and the
built in bag loops, if the shape doesn't fit you as well as Brooks, then
it's not for you.

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Steve Palincsar
Alexandria, Virginia
USA

[Dan McNamara]

Hi Joel,

I have both Brooks and Berthoud saddles and prefer the Berthoud for a leather saddle. It does appear the Boulder Bikes has a couple of black Mente in stock. 

Another option to look at is Rivet. Their saddles are nice as well and they have a “try before you buy” program. 

Dan

San Rafael CA

On Jul 12, 2020, at 10:11 AM, Joel Stern <jrst...@gmail.com> wrote:

I’ve ridden Brooks forever, I had decided to try narrower than my B68 as Oi rubs my inner thigh and is annoying. So I started reading on my old trusty B17.  Wow, so many models and opinions, now some discontinued.  Then I stumbled onto a few (many) comments and threads on Berthoud saddles. Looking at their page I see the Mente is closest in size to the B17, the rest are narrower.  But they seem to not be available unless from an eBay sellers who sell at a very high price.  I ride upright, not 90 degrees but closer than not.  I did read some comments on the durability of the leather which may have been caused by putting Proofide  on it.  Just wondering if any members who ride upright have used the saddle and how they like it.   Not sure if this helps but my sitbones seem to ne a out 90mm apart, +20=110mm.  

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[Dave Small]

Hi Joel,

I've ridden (and still ride) Brooks B-17 and Berthoud Mente and Aspin saddles.  The widths from widest to narrowest is Mente > B-17 > Aspin.  My sit bones are 125mm apart, and which saddle I like best depends on the type of riding I do on it.  For touring, the Mente wins.  For general riding I like the B-17.  For faster-paced riding I like the Aspin or B-17.  

There's more to it then just width, though.  The shapes differ, with the Berthoud being flatter front to back and the B-17 being slightly dippy in the middle.  How it feels also depends on how upright you ride.  You really need to try them to know, which is always the case with saddles.  The only objective comment I'd make is that with sit bones 35mm narrower than mine, I'd guess that the Mente would feel too wide for you.   

Dave

Boston/Indy

[Steve Palincsar]

But do note, Brooks, Rivet and Berthoud saddles all feel very, very different from each other.   They may look similar, but the feel is very different.

On 7/12/20 4:23 PM, Dan McNamara wrote:

Hi Joel,

I have both Brooks and Berthoud saddles and prefer the Berthoud for a leather saddle. It does appear the Boulder Bikes has a couple of black Mente in stock. 

Another option to look at is Rivet. Their saddles are nice as well and they have a “try before you buy” program. 

[John Philip]

I've tried the lot and like the Berthoud and Rivet saddles best.  The Mente however didn't work for me and I gave it away. I suspect I was not upright enough.  For a wider upright saddle my favorite is the Rivet Imogene. I found it comfortable out of the box.  I got the unslotted allroad model. 

On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 1:11:45 PM UTC-4, Joel Stern wrote:

[Steve Cole]

Joel,

Sorry for the delay.  I have both Berthoud's Aspin and Aravis; the only difference is the rail material, steel vs titanium.  I also have a Rivet Independence.  Important to me is they all have the cutout, which makes a huge difference in comfort.  I also like the narrowness as I have pretty thick thighs.  As for the Rivet, it is a stiffer saddle than the Berthouds, not quite as comfortable.  I wanted to try it and am still deciding whether to keep it on the bike it inhabits.  Good Luck,

Steve Cole

Arlington, VA

On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 1:11:45 PM UTC-4, Joel Stern wrote:

[Joel Stern]

Thanks Steve.  

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[Ty Graham]

Hi, I bought a Mente from Boulder Bicycle. The transaction was great, the saddle not so great. I’ve been a b17 and team pro rider. I was replacing a broken b17 Ti. I picked the Mente since it seemed closest in width to the b17. I’ve not really been able to get comfortable, though. The shape is very different. Thinking I’ll try the arrivis. 

[John Phillips]

  You can purchase Gilles Berthoud saddles from Rene Herse Cycles, the Berthoud dealer in the U.S.

  The widest models most like the B17 are the Mente, the Aubisque, and the Vars. The Mente is the economy model without the torx head bolts allowing you to change leather tops. The Aubisque has steel rails, and the Vars has titanium rails, and both allow one to change the leather tops or take apart the saddle to replace parts. Rene Herse now carries the Aubisque.

  I ride these saddles because my sit bones are almost 13cm apart, so even if I'm stretched out, a wider saddle feels better, and I like my Albatross bars lowered to saddle height. I'm definitely not a fan of the very upright riding posture, unless I'm stretching & riding hands free. My sit bones rest a bit too close to the edge to ride comfortably on the Aspin.

  I would recommend getting the Aubisque, because it gives you the option to replace parts, including the leather top, if you ever need to.

  But first, I would recommend measuring your sit bones to make sure how wide a saddle you need. The WTB website has a sit bone "calculator", their Fit Right System, which I found very easy to use, and accurate (for me at least), which uses the width of your wrist. I would give it a whirl before you buy:  https://www.wtb.com/pages/fit-right-system

YMMV,

John

On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 10:11:45 AM UTC-7, Joel Stern wrote:

[Joel Stern]

I remeasure last night and got 110+30=130.  Thanks

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[John Phillips]

I believe Rivet Cycle Works has a saddle "Try Before You Buy" program, and they have a few different saddle widths which might works for you. Before you go buying a Berthoud, you might try out Rivet's saddles. Couldn't hurt? Well no, we're talking saddles here, so yes it could hurt, but it might save you money. ;)

Disclaimer: I've never tried a Rivet, but many people love them.

https://rivetcycleworks.com/

Good luck!

John

[Joel Stern]

Thanks John, your Next to last line made me laugh. 

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[Steve Palincsar]

I don't know if they still have the program, but five or six years ago they did and I took advantage of it.  As it turned out, none of their saddles worked for me, but it was well worth trying.  Since then, I've tried to provide similar assistance to friends by lending them a Berthoud Aspin.

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[Dan Vee]

I have a berthoud Aspin and a b17. I find so far that the Aspin is more comfortable a little less upright and the b17 is more comfortable if your upright.

[Joel Stern]

Thanks Dan.  

On Fri, Jul 17, 2020 at 12:19 PM Dan Vee <dane...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have a berthoud Aspin and a b17. I find so far that the Aspin is more comfortable a little less upright and the b17 is more comfortable if your upright. 

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