Gilles Berthoud Aspin saddle vs. Brooks Swift vs. ?

[Godlykepower]

I'm after another leather saddle. I currently have a B17 Standard and whilst most people seem to love them or completely not get on with them, I am very much indifferent. It looks lovely and everything, but I am very "meh" when it comes down to the comfort level.

I really like the look of the GB Aspin and the Swift saddles, but what are the fundamental differences between these and a good old B17? I can see the obvious differences in dimensions and suchlike, but how do these translate into their actual performance?

Another saddle on my list is a B17 Narrow.

Thoughts?

[andrewjoseph]

Spa Wharfe (i think) is a similar shape to the swift.

i have both.

[Mistik-ka]

I was happy with my first Brooks B17, and it gave me 15 or 20 years of good service, though it was stretching into some pretty strange shapes by the time the leather began to tear. When I went looking for a replacement I discovered that it would cost considerably more than my first one had … in fact, considerably more than the first one had cost including the attached 10-speed Flandria bicycle! I grumbled through a couple of other ill-fitting saddles and ill-fitting bicycles for the next decade until I found myself in better financial straights and able to lash out for a custom frame and pretty much any saddle I wanted. After much research I chose a Berthoud Aspin because the leather was a little thicker and, unlike the Brooks, the leather could be replaced if damaged or worn out.

Living in the middle of Canada I had to buy the Berthoud sight-unseen (bum-unsat?) and took it out for its first ride with some trepidation, fearing that I might have made an expensive mistake. I was uncertain for the first mile … and after that I forgot I was on a new saddle and just didn't think about it until I got home an hour later. Two years and two thousand miles later I'm confident the Aspin was the right choice for me. It's a stiff saddle but with many miles and some wet rides it has conformed nicely to my backside.

[Godlykepower]

You are not the first person to say that an Aspin was comfortable right from the start...I have come across that sentiment several times now.

I have not sat on one myself yet, but think somehow that the slightly different shape to that of a B17, might suit me a bit better.
There is nothing actually wrong with my B17, it's just that I'm not getting that "it's liked sitting in an armchair, it's so comfy" line that is oft spoken of. I'm always aware that it's there and I sometimes feel a little nip in places whilst on it.
Perhaps it's because I'm older, much heavier and things have expanded all over my body and it's just a large guy on a bike problem, but I could ride for untold hours years ago in my racing days, on my Selle San Marco Rolls. I'm just not getting it to that extent with the B17.

In my head, a slightly different shape will be better for me.

[tatanab]

I have 4 Aspins, so obviously I like them. I also have a Swift, B17 and a Pro all in use. The leather on the Aspin is about twice the thickness of that on the Swift and B17 and about 1.5 times that on the Pro.

I have had problems with modern Brooks getting very soft or even breaking after only a short time. I had no problems from the 60s to 80s when I changed to San Marco Rolls, it is only since I moved back to leather about 12 years ago that I've found problems . Hence all the Brooks are downgraded to places like the shopping bike. The B17 I've had to lace after only about 3000 miles, the Pro has sagged on one side after the same sort of time, the Swift went very soft after 1000 miles (another did the same but I sold it before it got too bad). I like the size and shape of the Swift so I bought an Aspin about 3 years ago. The Aspin is wider than a Swift but narrows quite quickly like the Swift does, which is what I like It was immediately comfortable (as was the Swift) but the difference is that it has not flared greatly nor has it become saggy. Consequently I bought more and more so that the 4 I have are on my most frequently used machines. The best thing I can say about the Aspin is that I do not notice it. I am not a high mileage rider so my Aspins have covered only about 12,000 between them, with the one that is used the most having covered maybe 8,000 of that total.

I have a Spa Swiftalike in my stock of bits for future use. I only rode it for about 100 miles because another Aspin came my way and it seemed quite hard but with lots of promise for the future.

Cost - I've never paid more than about £90 for my Aspins because I have been lucky to find them in sales or unused on ebay.

[Rhodrich]

My Brooks B17 was comfortable from the off, and has only got more comfortable with use. In fact, it's so comfortable that I ride with unpadded shorts/tights without a problem

I've just bought a Spa Wharfe (from this forum), and I can't say the breaking in process is going quite as well. 52 miles in, and it's still super rock hard, and I have to say that my unpadded behind is beginning to suffer. Comfortable from the off? Definitely not! I'm not sure I can keep this up for the 3-500 miles needed!

[honesty]

I'd be interested to see how they compare to the Rivet saddles as well, as I am rather liking the look of these at the moment.

[Peejay56]

Rivet saddles get a mention....

I have Rivet Pearl saddles fitted to my two Thorn bikes - and for me, the best saddles I have owned.

Been a Brooks Pro fan all my cycling life and always thought it can't get any better - until one day I had my sit bone width measured - I needed a wider saddle, 170mm. Tried a Brooks B17 and it was OK, but too wide down the middle and caused lots of chaffing.
Then I found the Rivet Pearl saddle on the web - 170mm wide and narrow down the middle like a Brooks Swift, so I ordered one for my Thorn Raven from SJS and the rest is history as they say.
I've had the Pearl on the Raven around 5 months and ridden over 1,000 miles - impressions....absolutely superb!
- Build quality is excellent - better than a Brooks - get one in your hands and check the attention to detail.
- Comfy to ride from the off, but has got even better with more riding. Much more comfier than my Brooks Pro, literally in a different league!
- Fore/aft adjustment on the saddle rails is greater than a Brooks Pro.
- Weight is similar to a Brooks Pro, for Chrome Moly rails.
- Price is also similar.

If you want a wide saddle that's narrow down the middle to avoid any rubbing - check the Rivet Pearl out, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Rivet also make saddles in narrower widths - check their website out.

Pete.

[Godlykepower]

I'd seen the Rivet saddles at SJS, but I don't fancy the cutout on them.

[Peejay56]

You can't "feel" the cut out when you are riding.

Pete.

[georgew]

These saddles look very similar to those sold by Spa and which are much cheaper. The Ti Spa model looks almost identical but is without the cut-out which is not a problem as it's very easy to do this as a mod.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s204p2863

[LollyKat]

I recently got a Spa Nidd, the B17 equivalent. I like a cutout so attacked it with a drill and a stanley knife to make a slot similar to the Rivet Pearl. I'm delighted with the result - it is really comfortable . Of course it depends on the individual - I already knew I had a Brooks-shaped bum!

[niggle]

I have used my Spa Wharfe for about 1000 miles now and I think it is still as hard as when I bought it, but fortunately it is reasonably comfortable for me despite this. I am beginning to doubt it will ever get any softer.

[Rhodrich]

Well since my post yesterday morning, I've done a further 27 miles on my Spa Wharfe, and it's just beginning to start to give. Yes, it's still an uncomfortable plank, but it's definitely marginally less uncomfortable than it was yesterday morning. Will keep at it, and report back....

[Rhodrich]

Well according to Strava, I'm now up to 183.6 miles on my Spa Wharfe, and you know what - it's just starting to get comfy! It's still very firm indeed, but there's plenty of 'give', and hopefully, it's only going to get better.