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TECH NEWS

Just in: Rivet Pearl Ti saddle

Leather saddle that's being launched in the UK at this week's London Bike Show

As you might have spotted on road.cc earlier in the week, Rivet Saddles are launching in the UK – at the London Bike Show, to be precise. Rivet are an American alternative to Brooks and we've been lucky enough to bag one to test, courtesy of Carradice, the UK distributor.

The model we've got is the Pearl Ti which retails at an eyebrow raising £190, although there is also a cromoly railed version which weighs 140g more and costs £99.

For that you get 460g of very handsome perch with a pressure relieving cut-out, retaining flaps (à la Brooks Swallow) to prevent flare, embossed rivets, waterproofed leather and those add-another-zero Ti rails. You also get some beautifully hand-tooled marketing blurb – apparently, each saddle is "handcrafted by an expert 'leather whisperer'".

We don't know if that adds anything to the value, but you certainly can't argue with the quality of the finish because it's very lovely indeed. First impressions are of a saddle that is instantly comfortable – that cut-out doing its thing – and that won't need to be broken in, which might make it an attractive option if you want the longevity and comfort of leather but without the (occasionally overstated and much mythologised) breaking in process.

The Pearl is the widest of the two models Rivet make at 170mm, slightly narrower than a standard Brooks B17, which makes it an ideal saddle for audaxing and touring. It's been fitted to tester Rob's Dawes Century SE and he'll be giving it a thorough testing in the months to come. We'll keep you posted...

For more info on Rivet, visit their website.

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9 comments

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WolfieSmith | 11 years ago
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Are you an expert on Spear & Jackson shovels as well Rob? : )

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Chuffy replied to WolfieSmith | 11 years ago
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MercuryOne wrote:

Are you an expert on Spear & Jackson shovels as well Rob? : )

No. But I like to call a spade a spade.  26

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Pitstone Peddler | 11 years ago
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I've had a Ltd edition Ti Brooks since 2005, it is so comfortable, no need for the gimmicky cut out IMHO, the leather forms around you on a Brooks.

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AidanR | 11 years ago
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Looks pretty similar to a Selle Anatomica, which is the most comfortable saddle I've ever owned. I'd certainly be interested in trying this.

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gbzpto | 11 years ago
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Never tried a leather saddle but could be tempted by this

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neilmitchuk | 11 years ago
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I agree with Chris but I do like the flaps to prevent flare. Would save a lot of leather punching and lacing by new owners.
Maybe Brooks should look at that as it appears Rivet have fairly well copied them on everything else.

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Rob Simmonds replied to neilmitchuk | 11 years ago
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neilmitchuk wrote:

I agree with Chris but I do like the flaps to prevent flare. Would save a lot of leather punching and lacing by new owners.
Maybe Brooks should look at that as it appears Rivet have fairly well copied them on everything else.

The Brooks Swallow also has the flaps. In fairness to Rivet (and Spa) the basic design (not including flaps) is not unique to Brooks. Once upon a time most saddles were built this way but the manufacturers gradually fell by the wayside until only Brooks were left standing. I have a 1974 Carlton and it came with a Wrights saddle which was almost indistinguishable from a B17.

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Deac | 11 years ago
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Get a Brooks  22

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Rob Simmonds replied to Deac | 11 years ago
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Chris Deacon wrote:

Get a Brooks  22

Thanks. I have three. And a Spa.  4

On first impressions the Rivet is better finished than a Brooks and if you want a Brooks Swallow with titanium rails it'll cost you...£241.98.  13

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