Rivet Pearl or C17 Carved

[Surlyprof]

I need to get a new saddle and want to get one with a cutout. Narrowed it down to the Rivet Pearl and the Brooks C17 Carved. Anyone have any thoughts and opinions regarding the pros and cons of these saddles? Would love to get some personal experiences before I plunk down the cash.

Thanks,
John

[Deacon Patrick]

Rivet has a 1 year love it guarantee. That put them top on my list and I never needed to look further.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Philip Williamson]

No personal experience, but talking to Rivet at NAHBS put them far away ahead of Brooks for me. 

The lining under the saddles is an intricate brocade. "Hey, this is cool and weird, but no one would ever see it." 

"It has to look like something. It may as well be beautiful." 

Boom. Sold. 

Philip

www.biketinker.com

[Steve Palincsar]

On 03/04/2017 10:14 PM, Philip Williamson wrote:

No personal experience, but talking to Rivet at NAHBS put them far away ahead of Brooks for me. 

The lining under the saddles is an intricate brocade. "Hey, this is cool and weird, but no one would ever see it." 

"It has to look like something. It may as well be beautiful."

Boom. Sold.

Although looks do count, it's the riding experience -- your riding experience, not mine or anyone else's, that matters.  When I was looking, Rivet had a "try it and if you like it, let's negotiate and maybe you'll buy it" program.  It cost me $25 to try several of their saddles, which I thought was money well spent.  As it turned out, none of them worked very well for me, but trying them out let me know that first hand without a lot of disappointment.

[Kevin Lindsey]

I have no experience with the C17 carved, but I just swapped out my Hunqapillar's B17 for a Rivet Pearl.  The latter is more comfortable, looks great, and is flat and doesn't rise in back, meaning that I'm no longer sliding forward and constantly having to readjust myself on the seat.  Plus, having grown up in Sacramento, I like supporting a hometown business.

Kevin

[John]

Berthoud is also making cut-out versions of their saddles now. 

I like the Cambium C17 and Berthoud's  Aspin with Noodle bars, and the Berthoud Vars with Albatross bars, but like Steve said, the only opinion that matters is yours.

John 

On Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 1:25:48 PM UTC-8, Surlyprof wrote:

[Jeff Lesperance]

I've not tried the Rivet Pearl. I've professed my love for the C17 carved here and on the iBob list a few times. My previous saddle of choice was the B17n (narrow) whereas the B17 was too wide, so, I'd say compare the widths first with any other saddles you currently ride. I believe the C17 is a bit narrower than the Pearl. If you're sensitive to width, the decision may be made for you.

After finding nirvana with the Cambium C17 carved, I have gone back and carved one of my B17n's, and it's a better saddle now as well - the cutout improves an already great saddled.

So... cutout = good. If width for either = good for you, it comes down to materials and/or construction maybe. 

I've found in my personal experience that the C17 carved flexes just enough, just like a well broken in Brooks saddle - not an over-used too-broken-in saddle. What the C17 doesn't do is flex or sag too much when it gets wet from precipitation or from a long day or series of days of being sweat upon. Sometimes, my B17n feels a bit saggy at the end of long, hot days. When combined with my own fatigue, it can diminish my ride enjoyment. I'd suspect that any leather saddle could behave in such a way - at some point, too my wet = bad with leather saddles.

I like that I don't have to think about precipitation at all with my C17. I don't wear myself out thinking about such things with my leather saddles, but I consider it and carry a saddle cover or shower cap for them when there's chance of rain.

I've heard feedback, on this list and iBob, that the C17 is prone to cracking/splitting towards the nose of the saddle, near the frame support there. I haven't experienced this at all, but it's possible that these have a material durability problem.

I have noticed what appears to be a decline in quality with Brooks leather saddles over the past few years. If I were to look to purchase a leather saddle, I'd look to the Rivet saddles, based on the positive feedback I've seen here and on the iBob list.

-Jeff

Silver Spring, MD

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[Madam Xylene]

Go for Rivet it doesn't need protection from rain. Plus Deb Deb is great to deal with.

[Stuart Lovinggood]

If there's an opportunity to try out the Rivet I'd say go for it. I have a carved C17 and while it's probably the best vegan saddle I've come across, it's far from as magic as I would have hoped it to be. 

[Jay in Tel Aviv]

I have a Rivet on my Sam and a not carved C17 on the Brompton.
I like them both, but I like the Rivet better. If you make it to Tel Aviv you're welcome to try them out.

Jay

[ted]

Hey John,

I think a big difference is that the C17 is totally synthetic and waterproof whereas the Rivet is not, but no doubt you already know that.

Though I've not used a C17 Carved so I can't speak directly to the comparison,  I have been getting used to a Rivet Independence on my AHH since near the first of the year and I am quite pleased with it. Also they have an exceedingly generous return policy if you buy direct from Rivet.

If I recall correctly you are in Sunol, in which case I'm less than 10 miles up the road near the fairgrounds. If you want to check out my slightly broken in Rivet we can work something out.

Regards

Ted

On Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 1:25:48 PM UTC-8, Surlyprof wrote:

[Tony McG]

The Rivit Pearl looks intriguing, but I have had too many issues with leather saddles stretching after 100+ sweaty miles. I have been replacing my Selle Anatomica Titantico X with Cambium C17 Carved, but it gets expensive. My Cambium shows no sign of the cracking/splitting that I have seen on the internet, and the cover material is holding up very well.

[Surlyprof]

Just placed my order for a Rivet Pearl.  Excited to see if it makes it here for the weekend.  Thank you for everyone's feedback.  Although I was leaning toward Rivet from the start (They were so nice at NAHBS last year), it was nice to get some discerning points of view from this group.  I really respect and appreciate your opinions.

Thanks everyone.

John

On Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 1:25:48 PM UTC-8, Surlyprof wrote:

[Bill in Roswell GA]

Jeff, the cracking nose on the Cambiums seems to be associated with the first production run according to the local shop dealer. All the ones they've sold the past year have been fine so far. 

I tried a C17 and liked it pretty well. It wasn't as comfortable as my late 80s B17 Narrow (the thick leather version). The Cambiums do seem to run a bit narrower than the number would indicate compared to the B17. Maybe a C19 Carved would do the trick. The most compelling reason for me to get a Cambium is due to prodeal pricing. 

By all accounts over the years, you can't go wrong with a Rivet. Nor can I get a prodeal on one! However, in this case absolute comfort wins out. There is a reason you rarely ever see used Rivets for sale! That speaks volumes about their integrity and comfort.

Cheers,

Bill in Roswell, GA

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[Bill in Roswell GA]

Jay, a bike tour of Israel would be awsome! Especially the coast and highlands. I'm a bit of a naturalist nut, rare plants and all, great way to find by bike (such as Forest Service roads in the USA). My buddy Ben did most of Israel by bike until he had dinner one night before he had found lodging. After dinner, he walked over to the pension to check in, got a room key. Washed up a bit and then headed back down to the cafe where he left the bike. Turns out, all that was left was the frame, the cable and the lock. All in less than 10 minutes. Fortunately being a regular traveler, Ben had travel insurance. He is considering a Moulton for future travels so he can fold it up and keep it with him! 

Cheers to anyone traveling by back as a litestyle choice. I'm especially good at riding onto ferries and trains. 

Cheers,

Bill in Roswell, GA

[Surlyprof]

Thought I should post an update with photos and thank you.  Thanks for all the advice everyone.  As always, I'm glad I listened.  I bought the Rivet Pearl and, so far, love it.  It's initially a lot harder than any seat I've owned but I've never actually broken in a Brooks since I've bought all my B17's lightly used on CL.  The cutout is wonderful and is a big difference from the B17 I moved to my Brompton.  Now a shameless promotion for Rivet... These saddles are beautiful!  The leather is really thick and the detailing is thoughtful and elegant.  The typography of the logos and name are nicely done and the Rivet badge that can be seen through the cutout is such a great detail.  As Philip mentioned, they also have a fun, floral pattern underneath as well.  Really looking forward to "earning" this saddle breaking it in to fit me personally.  

Thanks again!

John

On Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 1:25:48 PM UTC-8, Surlyprof wrote:

[Jay in Tel Aviv]

Sorry about your friend's bike getting stolen here. I've lost a couple over the years. It's a horrible feeling. Don't people teach their kids not to steal! Didn't they used to hang horse thieves?

Rant over.

Please look me up if you do make it over here.

Jay

[Nick Payne]

I have a couple of C17s, and no problems yet with either of them, but they're only 18-24 months old.

I'd agree with your comment about the declining quality of Brooks saddles. I still have some that I purchased on the late 1970s, and the leather on them is noticeably thicker and more durable than on more modern Brooks that I have.

I'm very happy with both the quality and comfort of the Berthoud Aspin saddle that I have...

[Surlyprof]

I've seen a few Bertoud saddles in person and they are quite beautiful and well crafted. Loved the shape, details and finish on those. Unfortunately, I was already stretching my budget with a Rivet. Not unhappy about that. I've been so impressed with Rivet's quality and materials. I was also impressed with their packaging, wrench and saddle cover that all came in the package. Very positive experience.

John

[Chris Birkenmaier]

Congrats on the Rivet!  I've not ridden one but have seen them in person.  They seem to slope down on the edges of the back of the saddle which is my problem with the Cambium design.  I have many, many Brooks saddles but also have the Berthoud Mente which is 180mm wide and flat.  I find this works very well for me.  The quality is also top rate on the Berthoud.