gdp's Comments

WALLBLOG : Different Sort of Brooks Lacing

Mon, 5 Dec 2016 16:53:03 +0000

On Mon, Dec 5, 2016 at 8:44 AM, Bill Laine <bill@wallbike.com> wrote:

delete

WALLBLOG : It's Showtime Again

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:01:53 +0000

Man, I'm jealous. I wish I was in Friedrichstafen for EuroBike this week. Enjoy the show. Watch out for E-bike fever.

WALLBLOG : Another Resource and Brooks Select Saddles

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:25:47 +0000

Followup 8/27/11 - For everyone who thinks a product announcement equals availability. I posted this in July, 2010. Select saddles started trickling into U.S. distribution around July 2011.

WALLBLOG : Select Brooks Select

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:47:40 +0000

These haven\\\'t been around long enough for us to see what happens to the color with use. I would think that the lighter leather would get darker over time.

WALLBLOG : What Is It

Fri, 1 Jul 2011 15:38:45 +0000

That wasn't as hard as I had hoped it would be. Andre, and Dave, send me your address to bill(at)wallbike(dot)com and I'll get the catalog out to you.

WALLBLOG : Site Was Down - Now Up

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:53:08 +0000

Yes, I was abusing my keyboard also.

WALLBLOG : Berthoud Saddle Reviews

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:07:40 +0000

from an email . . . Hi Bill: I purchased a Berthoud saddle from you in March 2010 and wanted to give you some feedback. I love this saddle! It do take some time to break in, I had ridden about 500 miles and it was still stiff. I rode in a century ride in the rain and that was when everything changed. When I started the ride it was still stiff, when I finished the ride it was perfectly fitted to my anatomy. I have ridden many time since the century and it continues to be on of the best saddles I have used. Regards, mark

WALLBLOG : Help us Debug

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 22:08:23 +0000

Thanks, Richard

WALLBLOG : Vans Shoes and Brooks Saddles

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:15:28 +0000

Update 10/29/10 - The story on these keeps changing. Latest I've heard is that five U.S. dealers will get packages of six pair of shoes. That's 30 pair from the Brooks side. U.S. dealers _might_ be able to get three of the saddles. Saddles are supposed to be distributed early December. Shoes are up to Vans. My source is talking about US Brooks dealers. Doesn't know about Vans outlets. Doesn't know about non-U.S. Brooks dealers. (Hint: don't rule out Brooks dealers in Italy)

WALLBLOG : Help us Debug

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 03:56:42 +0000

Thanks, Darren. Right now wer'e working on getting the products listed and organized. Content stuff like this will have to wait a little while.

WALLBLOG : Help us Debug

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:44:49 +0000

Thanks, Darren. Right now we are working on getting the products listed and organized. The other content will be up in a day or two.

WALLBLOG : New wallbike.com Site to Launch Today

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:30:32 +0000

Thanks, Will. I have brought this to the attention of our developer.

WALLBLOG : Vans Shoes and Brooks Saddles

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:25:20 +0000

No, I think it is legit. That is a standard Brooks picture, though it has a strange yellow tint. The picture is all over the web. The language comes from the blogger, not Brooks or Vans.

WALLBLOG : Another Shaggy Brooks

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:38:48 +0000

FYI: I bid on another of these saddles from the same seller. I won two of his auctions but it is looking like he isn't going to come through. Be careful

WALLBLOG : Berthoud Saddle Reviews

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 01:35:30 +0000

From an email. . .

Just a note to let you know my thoughts on the Berthoud (Aravis) saddle. First off this is a quality piece of kit, the craftsmanship is superb, something saddly lacking in alot of other components today. I am very familiar with leather saddles and do have a preference for their feel and longevity. This however means a little work to bed them in properly. I have a quick and simple way to determine this. Out of the box rap the top of the saddle with your knuckles, a new one will give you a hollow hard ring (no new leather saddle should be soft out of the box), once it is bedded in rap your knuckles on it again and you should get a dull thud.
Thats the easy bit. I ride a 200k brevet every month along with 300k, 400k, 600k, and 1000k every year. I mounted this saddle for a 600k event and took the plunge. Whilst not uncomfortable it was a tough ride on a brand new saddle. After the event I removed the leather shell (good idea) and rubbed a half teaspoon of neat's foot oil on the underside of the leather and let it sit for an hour. I then repeated this step and put the shell back on the frame. I then rubbed a small amount of the oil on the topside on the saddle. I have since completed three 200k events and after the final one this weekend consider the saddle bedded in. The total miles to date on the saddle are 830.
I find the Aravis now very comfortable even compared to the venerable Brooks B17. The Brooks has more of the feel of a hammock whereas the the Aravis seems to keep its shape whilst also being comfortable. I would say it encourages a more aggressive riding position. My own set up has the saddle 1/2" higher than the handlebars. I will be using it for a 1000k event in late August.
The dye in the saddle does tend to wear easily and mine now appears brown in the sun compared to the original black, I do not think this is detremental but others may. One other thing that works for me is the (KlickFix) mount as I have a small berthoud saddle bag, this tidies up the rear of the saddle.
All in all I would say it is worth the investment if your willing to invest the time.

(Note from wallblog: Brooks, Gilles Berthoud, or Wallingford Bicycle Parts do not recommend the use of Neatsfoot oil or any oil-based leather conditioner for treating leather saddles. Wax-based treatments, like Proofide or Berthoud leather conditioner, are much better for the life of the saddle.)

WALLBLOG : Coming From Brooks

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:27:45 +0000

Colts arrived a the U.S distributor this morning. I should have violet, mustard, and black later this week priced at around $160. Also en-route - B.17 Imperials in honey and brown. The rest of the stuff mentioned in the article will probably come available later in the fall or next winter. Rumor: A pink colt is in the works.

WALLBLOG : Anybody Do Saddle Repair?

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:51:32 +0000

Hi Eddie

Thanks for responding on my blog post.

It sounds like your experience is with horse gear. I just want to make sure you understand what we are talking about here. These are bicycle saddles that consist of a leather cover riveted to a metal frame. Most of the time repairs consist of replacing frames and frame parts. Riveting is the main skill needed.
If that is what you are interested in doing let me know.

Regards

Bill Laine
Wallingford Bicycle Parts
888 731 3537
http://www.wallbike.com
New Orleans

WALLBLOG : New Berthoud Saddles on the Way

Thu, 3 Jun 2010 21:29:19 +0000

Benno - the replacement parts will be here eventually but not yet.

WALLBLOG : ZWEI Bags are Online

Sat, 22 May 2010 21:23:27 +0000

Hi Jill The Zwei website has a dealer list. There are lots of Zwei dealers in Berlin.

WALLBLOG : Berthoud Saddle Reviews

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:42:04 +0000

From an Email "My initial impression is favourable, I've used it for a couple of hundred miles or so on both bicycle and tricycle, swapping it with a new Swift. I prefer the G.B., although the Swift is pretty good. A cautionary note: When I received the saddle the stainless countersunk screws were "finger tight", as recommended I used some Loctite and snugged up the screws, during this process one socket became deformed. Should I ever have to remove the leather top I might have difficulty removing this screw, perhaps a warning to future customers might be in order." "Overall I'm very happy with it and look forward to using it for many miles.