I’m riding a Selle Anatomica for some years now – on my Brompton and on my Moulton AM too. I do like the leather top of the Selle Anatomica – no problems when you ride in the wet. Also they give you a comfortable ride right out of the box – not comparable to a Brooks where your butt has to be molded to fit the shape of the saddle (don’t believe I your are told it is the other way around). But I hade some trouble with the side of the saddle.
I looked around for a while and found the Gilles Berthoud Vars. Since I don’t like the Brooks saddles, this is one of the few alternatives left if you like this kind of a traditional leather saddle. The beautiful saddles are made by Gilles Berthoud in the Pont de Vaux factory in France.
As you can see on the picture to the left, the Selle Ananatomica got conformed to my shape. The Gilles Berthoud Vars will have to be formed by my gluteus muscles over the time. It is comfortable for me from the start – very different from the Selle – firmer, wider.
Instead of riveting the leather saddle to the frame, the Gilles Berthoud saddles are bolted on. If necessary it’s easy to repair them. The bolts aren’t on the top of the saddle (where you might feel them during the ride if you slide back on your saddle) they are on the rear part and so out of the way. The bolts do look nice too. I love the look of the new saddle. The color looks gorgeous on the Brompton.
The rear frame is made out of a special high strength plastic. The saddle tension could be easily adjusted with a screw at the front of the saddle. Don’t know how durable the plastic will be. For a high price saddle like this one I would prefer a different setup.
While riding the saddle can generate some noise – not too much, but there is some “queekscrutshcrack” sometimes. Also carrying the folded Brompton is uncomfortable since you grab the sides of the leather and not the rail. This are the only two disadvantages over the Selle Ananatomica I found so far.
6 responses to “A new saddle for my horse”
Bilbo Baggins arrived – my new Brompton Game Bag
A handsome saddle! Your concern about the plastic construction makes me think of the way some Brompton owners react to the plastic gear levers. I was bit dismayed with the plastic levers myself, but these new plastics are very strong. The Brompton levers seem to hold up very well; I expect your saddle’s frame will, too.
Love the use of bolts instead of rivets; that’s a very nice touch.
Hi!
I don’t like the Brompton levers too ;) Plastic isn’t “my” material – it is more an emotional then a rational statement.
The saddle is quicker formed by loosening the tensionbolt a little and use the Berthould saddle grease a bit. Once thicker on the bottom, using an old toothbrush, and several thin layers on top. It will take 1000 km to feel truly comfortable, but loosening the tension will help. I have one on my Santos trekking comfort bike.
I ordered them from am eBay offer.
Is the saddle still noisy? Just wondering since I am thinkting about picking one up… possibly the Galibier (racing version) wich is 2 cm less wide, I think. Thanks!
yes – maybe I will replace the saddle because of the noise. Looks great but the sound…