Saddle Comparisons

My Commute Bike Saddle, After Four Years of Steady Use. It Is/Was a "Specialized Phenom"

Over the last year or so, I've come into the possession of not one, not two, but THREE new saddles. One is a replacement for my erstwhile Specialized saddle that's been worn almost beyond recognition. The other two are the main topic of this post.

The two saddles are very similar in some respects. One is a Brooks Swallow and the other is a Berthoud Aspin. As you can see, the shapes and sizes of the two saddles are VERY similar. Shown beside them is the third saddle; a Specialized "Toupe" that's made of modern materials

At Left is the Brooks, With the Berthoud in the Middle and the Specialized at Right

Comparing the two leather saddles, I'm surprised at how similar they are in some respects while still being entirely different. As you can see, there's not a whole lot of shape difference between the Brooks and the Berthoud saddles.

 

Both saddles are leather with steel rails. That being the case, there are more differences in the construction details than you'd expect. The Brooks leather is thinner than the Berthoud, and is riveted to the steel frame. The Berthoud uses Allen screws that attach to a plastic frame.



The "Swallow" Rails Are Well Below the Saddle and are Set Up for a Saddle "Nose Up and Back" Position Compared to Berthoud

In addition to the attachment and construction differences, the makers used different rail approaches. The Brooks saddle rails are entirely well beneath the saddle while the Berthoud rails are tucked up higher. In addition, the Brooks rails intend for the saddle to be placed further back on the seat post and in a "nose up" position compared to the Berthoud. The rails are clearly different relative to the otherwise similar saddle shape in that regard. Even easier to spot are the different philosophies of the saddle frame design. Brooks is a "steel is real" outfit while Berthoud is NOT. Which is better? Personally, I sort of like the notion that I can replace the leather and polycarbonate is a pretty good material, but how often do you replace leather anyway?

 

Brooks Above and Berthoud Below. Note How the Rails and Frames Differ. And Yes, the Leather on the Berthoud IS Thicker

Comparing weight of the two saddles, the Brooks is a touch heavier than the Berthoud, tipping the scales at 499g compared to 484g for the French entry. IMO, the Brooks steel frame more than offsets the thicker leather and threaded fasteners used on the Berthoud saddle.

 

Brooks is 499g, Berthoud is 484g

Neither saddle is light, however, compared to the modern Specialized Toupe, with its titanium rails and synthetic materials. The Specialized entry tips the scales at less than half the weight of the two leather saddles. It will not, however, last the way the two "real" leather saddles will, based on how my first saddle wore.



"Modern" Specialized Saddle is Much Lighter, Though it'll Also Wear Out Quicker

Which of these is the most comfortable over time? I think it depends on the rider and what the rider is doing. Myself, I'm putting the Specialized Toupe saddle on "Buddy" to replace the saddle in the top photo. The French saddle is going on "Madeleine." The Brooks is going to replace the Selle Italia on "Frankenbike."

Conveniently, the new "official" saddle cover for rainy weather storage that I got will work on all three saddles. Of course, when it is used, it'll reside underneath one of those cheap, plastic shopping bags that "green" types want to ban. My favorite cheapies are bags from Wally World.

Saddle Cover of Heavy Duty Latex. Suitable as the Lower Layer Underneath a Cheap Plastic "Disposable" Bag

Another Side of Brooks

Brooks Made - GASP! - Low Cost Vinyl Saddles in Addition to Leather

When I was young, Brooks saddles, and particularly the “Professional” were the best available, and all the best bikes had them. I was taught that a real leather saddle breaks in while synthetic saddles break down. Much has changed - coming full circle. Brooks abandoned its original saddle principles to try to compete on cost, and started making cheap, vinyl saddles. Before you knew it, Brooks was part of the Sturmey Archer collapse. They were then acquired by Selle Royal before returning to their roots and making the classic leather saddles that originally made them renowned. These saddles are quite comfortable, much as my Wright’s saddle is comfortable, but they are also heavy, with their steel hardware and thick leather. In a nod to current sensibilities, Brooks makes saddles with titanium rails, but that strikes me a little bit like putting racing stripes on a minivan. A Brooks is simply not about being state of the art. It is about being traditional and elegantly comfortable.

I only have the one, vinyl Brooks saddle. I may acquire a real leather Brooks saddle someday, but it’ll not go on either my cyclocross or road bike. Those will retain modern, lightweight saddles. Somehow, it seems best to reserve it for a bike that I wish to ride traditionally, and over long distances.

This is My Only Brooks Saddle at Present