agmetal

I'm planning a build that I want to feel a lot like my most comfortable current bike, but singlespeed instead of geared. I've chosen a frame with very similar geometry, and now I'm trying to decide on the saddle. I have a Gilles Berthoud Aspin (their "touring" model, comparable-ish to a Brooks B17) on my Bianchi Volpe, and I love it. I'm currently riding with my bars lower and saddle higher than when I first got it, though, and I'm wondering if I'm likely to find the Soulor (the "racing" model, comparable to the B15 variants) comfortable at all.

I've got the highest points of the saddle just under 2" higher than the top of my handlebars (not including the brake lever hoods), and I spend the majority of my time riding on the hoods. Sometimes the tops while negotiating narrower spaces or approaching intersections, and the drops/hooks really only ever get used when going down hills, usually coasting.

The Aspin has gotten several thousand miles of riding in the 1-1/2 years or so I've had it, but the Soulor has a really cool look to it that would really suit the aesthetics I'm going for with this bike...but, of course, comfort is king!

Racing shape on the left, Touring on the right:

Dfrost 

I'm a fan of the GB Aspin (titanium Aravis, actually). Have you looked at the your break-in depressions on your Aspin and compared them to the width of the Soulor? And either Wallbikes or Rene Herse offer a 6-month guarantee. I recall that RH had some advice about the two types on their website. You might contact them to discuss the choices.

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agmetal

I tried, but there aren't any visible depressions!

fietsbob

You Paid for thicker Leather , just ride More .. the sit-bone depressions will be Yours

agmetal

6000+ miles in a year and a half! I'm certainly not complaining, as I love the saddle...just stating that there aren't any visible depressions. There may have been at one point, but I tightened the saddle a bit after getting used to a Charge Spoon.

Andersper

So did you end up getting a Soulor saddle? I'm also thinking about getting one but I worry that it'll be too narrow.

atriot

Can anyone who has gone with an Aspin or Soulor update on their choice? I'm have a similar decision to make and would appreciate feedback.

dksix

I'm currently using a Spoon, it's the best I've had yet but still leaves something to be desired. Would you recommend the GB Aspin to someone who like to Spoon but wants more all day comfort?

agmetal

I did get the Soulor, and put a lot of miles on it over several months (too long to take advantage of the Wallbike exchange policy, unfortuantely) before ultimately accepting that it's just too narrow. I sold it to a friend, and recently bought a second Aspin to replace it, which I still haven't put anywhere near enough mileage on to break in yet.

I'd definitely recommend the Aspin, although I'm not so crazy about the Spoon anymore.