When I started having problems with the width of the Brooks B17 on my roadbike, I received many excellent suggestions from readers. I also received a suggestion from several staff members at Harris Cyclery: a Gilles Berthoud. Bethoud saddles and luggage are made in France and are associated with exquisite randonneuring bicycles. It is generally agreed that their handlebar bags are the finest one can get, and several respected members of the industry describe the saddles as being "even better" than Brooks. However, I was both skeptical of that description and weary of the high price tag. When I returned to Harris Cyclery the following week, I still had not decided what saddle to get, and they suggested that Itry the Berthoud and see what I think. So I now have the saddle on loan, and have ridden with it on my Bianchi roadbike.
The saddle I have is aGilles Berthoudtouring model, which is available in three different colours (black, natural and cork), with regular or titanium rails, and in either a man's or a woman's length. Mine is the woman's version, which is the same width as the men's (160mm), but with a shorter nose. You can read the detailed specs for these saddleshere. The woman's model is called the "Marie Blanque"- after a short, steep climb in the French Pyrenees.TheBerthoud differs from Brooks and the other leather saddles available today in several ways. The leather is stretched using a different method - a modular system involving bolts instead of rivets. This system allows for the saddle to be taken a part and also for more control over tension adjustment. The leather is somewhat thicker than that of other brands.
The undercarriage consists of metal rails combined with apolycarbonate (plastic) rear support, which accommodates the proprietary Berthoud "Klikfix" saddlebag attachments. The openings can probably also be used with standard saddlebag straps, though I have not yet tried to attach one. This aspect is where the Berthoud saddles receive most of their criticism: "Not only is the saddle more expensive, but it has plastic parts?" However, both Berthoud and fans of the saddle insist that this construction method is superior in terms of comfort and adjustment possibilities, and is not prone to failure. I am cautiously open-minded on this, and would be curious to know the statistics of Brooks vs Berthoud saddle failure.
Another distinct feature of the Berthoud's design, is that the bolts (not rivets) are located behind and below the surface of the saddle - so that the cyclist's rear end does not come in contact with them no matter how far back they sit. This will make a huge difference to those who are bothered by the texture of the rivets on other leather saddles.
Finally, the very shape of the saddle is different than what I have gotten used to from Brooks. The Berthoud's surface platform is completely flat, whereas the surface of Brooks has "undulations" to it (some call it the "banana shape"). As a result, the Berthoud works best when mounted completely level - whereas I mount the Brooks with the nose pointing slightly up, in order to not slide forward.
An additional difference, is the Berthoud's relative lack of "side skirts" (compare it to the Brookshere). Despite being classified as a touring saddle, the leather on the Berthoud is closely trimmed along the sides - typical of a much more aggressive saddle in the Brooks range.
My experience riding on the Berthoud is limited to a short (12 miles or so) winter ride, but here are my impressions so far: The saddle felt "just right" out of the box and I simply forgot about it once I got on the bike and began cycling (no padded shorts). Because the Bianchiis a bit big on me, I am leaned forward on it considerably. The saddle did not feel too wide (it is 10mm narrower than a lady's Brooks B17) and my legs did not rub against the "side skirts". Because the Berthoud is level, the nose does not come into contact with any sensitive areas. With Brooks road saddles, I need to make a lot of adjustments to get this aspect just right - but the Berthoud seems to naturally stay away from that region. As I was cycling, I was not so much experiencing any of this, as not experiencing anything. I was taken with the winter scenery and genuinely forgot that I was supposed to be trying the saddle and forming impressions of it. There were no impressions, and only later did I realise that this in itself meant that the saddle was comfortable.I have to admit that I am "emotionally biased" towards Brooks, which is an obstacle to recognising that the Berthoudsuits me better - at least on roadbikes with considerable forward lean. The Berthoud basically gives me the width of a touring saddle with the side cut-outs of a racing saddle - plus the shape does not interfere with my "lady areas". In that sense, it is also more versatile, and I can see myself using it both on a touring bike and on a more aggressive roadbike. All this is exactly what I need. But... a $200+ saddle? I suppose that if I sell my spare Brooks B17S and the titanium-rail Brooks Finesse that I received in a trade but find unridable, that would give me the funds. But it still feels like an overindulgence and Ineed to think about it. Regardless of whether I keep the saddle or not, I hope this write-up was helpful to those considering a Berthoud.
Pleasure in Autumn
Oval wooden box
Where are the loquats?
Peppers were captured
It was fun playing with these sort-of Haiku for the November edition of Garden Blogger's Muse Day . Unlike our friends in colder places, we feel no slowing down this month - there's too much to do! With more moderate day temperatures and the blessing of cooler nights we're happy to be digging, planting and transplanting. I'm deciding where to plant daffodil bulbs once the ground has cooled off a few more degrees. For the Austin gardeners this month isn't NOvember ... it's NOWvember! 
It is still hard for us to not be with all of our children and our grandchildren on holidays. We did have the joy of having friends around this holiday though, and that offset our sadness some.
It was Karen's birthday, so we celebrated her day with her. Josh had picked out all of her cake ingredients. Good job, Josh!
Bob brought a game that he made. We split into teams, with guys against girls, and played against each other.
Faye was the first one to land on a hook. Then Ken showed her up by landing TWO rings on the same hook. I managed to hook one of the top ones. Karen hooked a 10,000 point hook and then accidentally knocked it back off. So not fair with it being her birthday and all, but she was a good sport.
So, who won? The women! We had a lot of fun and I'm now thinking I'd Nathan to try and build one for us.
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday filled with good things!
Photo courtesy of Dave Searle collection
Mostly, we were going to see some special friends. We were in the Peace River TT and they were still in the Orlando TT, so we met in the middle. We met up with Kati, Auvi, Zoe, Kelby and Conner. Zoe is Austin's non-girlfriend. We can't figure it out. He wants to spend all of his free time with her and yet still gets mad when we say she is his girlfriend. I guess we can just say she is his friend that he deeply admires in every.single.way. She told me that he lets her think she is in charge. I think they are off to a great start!
Aren't they cute?
I love this picture of Zoe. Great work, Auvi!
Living the life in Florida!
It's time to celebrate! To have cookouts, fireworks, picnics, camping trips, parades, speeches, car shows, rodeos, pet shows, horseback rides, or just sit around our homes and yards with family and friends, or even all by ourselves and enjoy the life we have in all of our 50 wonderful states.
As more beginner cyclists are in the market for new bicycles, I receive more and more questions from readers asking what I think about various makes and models listed on the Budget Options page. People want nice bikes, but, understandably, they also want to save money - and myvintage bicycle recommendationis not for everyone. What about a simple, basic new bike that is classic and comfortable, at a reasonable price? After all, it seems that more and more manufacturers are starting to offer exactly that.
I am always torn when asked for my own opinion: While I want to be objective, I simply don't like most of the lower-priced bikes that are out there at the moment.I have tried 80% or so of the bicycles on myBudget Optionslist, and so far very few of themhave made me feel that they are worth the price. It's one thing to spend a couple hundred dollars on a bike and not care, but a price tag in the range of $500-600 is a lot of money to me -too much money to spend on something that I believe is shoddily made, will likely require upgrades, will not feel entirely comfortable even with those upgrades, and may fall apart on me within a year. In the long run, I believe that such a bicycle may costmorethan an "expensive" bike. And I am especially surprised to hear of people choosing the lower-end bikes, and then buying Brooks saddles, leather grips, fancy lighting and expensive pannier systems to go with them. By the time they are done upgrading, the cost of the bike can reach a price point at which they could have gotten a higher-end bicycle - with many of those upgrades already included, not to mention with a better frame and higher quality components.
Meet my latest long-term review visitor: the Paper Bicycle! Hailing from Scotland, this unusual city bike has recently become available in the US via Adeline Adeline in New York City.
TIG-welded in cro-moly steel, the Paper Bicycle has a number of unusual features - the most striking of which is perhaps the seat stay-free construction.
When I first saw pictures of this, I found it visually unsettling and intriguing in equal measure. How can such a frame design be stable?
Apparently, by reinforcing the seat tube with a hardy "ghost chaincase" structure on the non-drivetrain side. This is certainly one of the more unique frame designs I have seen. I daresay it officially beats the Urbana?
The Ride Studio Cafe received and prepared the bike for me, and I took the bus to Lexington, intending to cycle the 10 miles home on what I thought would be a geared, albeit clunky bike. Upon arrival I was alarmed to discover that the bike was a single speed. I braced myself for a tedious trip home.
But contrary to my expectations, the ride was terrific. Though hard to believe judging by the pictures, this thing really "flies" for me. It is also not as heavy as it looks - well under 40lb. Of the bikes I've tried so far, the handling reminds me of the Pilen and the Urbana in terms of stability (does this mean mountain bike geometry?), while also possessing an unexpected lightness and swiftness.
As usual, I will be riding this bicycle for a few weeks, then posting a review - after which it will be returned to Adeline Adeline. I will refrain from saying much more until I gain some additional experience with the Paper Bicycle, but I confess that I really like it so far, both the looks and the performance.
What do you think? I am too far gone into design appreciation la-la-land to tell whether my readers will find a given bicycle attractive or not, but to me this one looks downright beautiful. And now I leave you with a picture of Danny MacAskill... "jumping" a Paper Bicycle. Can you do that on your city bike?