Ideale 90 is back
03-25-18, 03:55 PM
#1
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Ideale 90 is back
Dale Brown (Classic Rendezvous owner/operator) posted this Flickr album regarding the new Ideale 90 he received in the mail. Apparently the people working on the resurrection of the brand have been at it for about five years. They've tracked down retired employees as well as some of the original equipment. Seems like a labor of love. (I love my 90.)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/oroboy...h/40298742994/
Looks pretty nice:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/oroboy...h/40298742994/
Looks pretty nice:
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03-25-18, 04:45 PM
#2
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That looks great! If the original Ideale on my Sieger is too old and tired, that might be a good alternative to a Brooks Pro, which is what I put on my other Capo.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324
Capo: 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
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03-25-18, 05:13 PM
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Going to have to want one pretty bad, I think the thread about these said they $250+ a copy.
Very cool and as we know, cool = spendy.
Very cool and as we know, cool = spendy.
03-25-18, 05:21 PM
#4
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They seem to be priced similar to the Berthoud Aspin, so not totally out-of-this-world pricing.
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03-25-18, 05:39 PM
#5
Bad example
But there’s no “Croupon Garanti” stamp!
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03-25-18, 10:27 PM
#7
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My first road bike had one in the natural color, a bit more depth to the finish, but I admire the effort.
It was a good saddle, worry about it one wet Winter after riding in wrapped on a baggie had me switch to an all plastic Unicanitor. The equal comfort and lack of upkeep required as well as the reduced weigh had me. Sold it off a few years later for a handsome sum at the time. They were hard to get. Still, a very attractive saddle. Better shape than the Brooks Pro for my undercarriage.
It was a good saddle, worry about it one wet Winter after riding in wrapped on a baggie had me switch to an all plastic Unicanitor. The equal comfort and lack of upkeep required as well as the reduced weigh had me. Sold it off a few years later for a handsome sum at the time. They were hard to get. Still, a very attractive saddle. Better shape than the Brooks Pro for my undercarriage.
03-26-18, 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Aubergine
But there’s no “Croupon Garanti” stamp!
but I don't think the Idéale 90 ever had them.One of the people involved in the Idéale resurrection has been participating generously in the discussion on the Classic Rendezvous list. It sounds like they are very conscientious and serious.
At the moment they are producing the model no 90, which was a classic of the 1970's. They hope to start offering other models at some point. It will be interesting to see which models they choose.
03-26-18, 09:47 AM
#9
dork
Wow! I missed the discussion on CR - very cool to use the original equipment and consult with the original workers.
03-26-18, 09:58 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by iab
A Brooks Pro is $190. If you want French, at that point, it ain't much more.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324
Capo: 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324
Capo: 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
03-26-18, 10:05 AM
#11
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Originally Posted by iab
A Brooks Pro is $190. If you want French, at that point, it ain't much more.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324
Capo: 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324
Capo: 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
03-26-18, 01:11 PM
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I always like the TB80 & TB90...
I hope they get around to reissuing their touring saddles- I love my TB75, and my TB6 (ridden to near destruction) was the most comfortable leather saddle I've owned to date. If Ideale made or reissued a single-rail version of the TB75, I'd probably sell both of my Brooks Flyers.
This is not to say anything against Brooks (impeccable quality), but saddles are a very personal thing, and in my case the Ideale saddles fit my butt just a tad better.
I hope they get around to reissuing their touring saddles- I love my TB75, and my TB6 (ridden to near destruction) was the most comfortable leather saddle I've owned to date. If Ideale made or reissued a single-rail version of the TB75, I'd probably sell both of my Brooks Flyers.
This is not to say anything against Brooks (impeccable quality), but saddles are a very personal thing, and in my case the Ideale saddles fit my butt just a tad better.
Last edited by DIMcyclist; 03-26-18 at 01:18 PM.
03-27-18, 12:19 AM
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I have multiple vintage Brooks Professionals and a couple modern ones.
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
Anyone here know if that is also the case with the Ideale vintage vs the Ideale repro saddles? They certainly look nice!
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
Anyone here know if that is also the case with the Ideale vintage vs the Ideale repro saddles? They certainly look nice!
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Trek 400 ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
03-27-18, 04:36 AM
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Love my Ideale.
I've been riding this one for ten years.
Still have a back up on the shelf, if this one wears out.
If I am still riding in 10-15 years, I'd consider a reissue.
Untitled by gomango1849, on Flickr
Untitled by gomango1849, on Flickr
I've been riding this one for ten years.
Still have a back up on the shelf, if this one wears out.
If I am still riding in 10-15 years, I'd consider a reissue.
Untitled by gomango1849, on FlickrUntitled by gomango1849, on Flickr
03-27-18, 06:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Lascauxcaveman
I have multiple vintage Brooks Professionals and a couple modern ones.
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
Anyone here know if that is also the case with the Ideale vintage vs the Ideale repro saddles? They certainly look nice!
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
Anyone here know if that is also the case with the Ideale vintage vs the Ideale repro saddles? They certainly look nice!
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
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03-27-18, 09:44 AM
#17
Bad example
Originally Posted by rhm
In the case of Brooks, I suspect the company has become aware of a "use it up and throw it away" among today's cyclists. They market their saddles to people who want a comfortable saddle today, not at some point in the future. Sure, there are those among us who complain the new Brooks saddles don't hold up the way the old ones did; but we seem to be a minority.
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05-14-18, 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by rhm
In the case of Brooks, I suspect the company has become aware of a "use it up and throw it away" among today's cyclists. They market their saddles to people who want a comfortable saddle today, not at some point in the future. Sure, there are those among us who complain the new Brooks saddles don't hold up the way the old ones did; but we seem to be a minority.
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
Originally Posted by Aubergine
From my experiences in saddle discussions by touring bikers, I suggest that if using thinner leather is purposeful, it’s because of competition from makers such as Selle Anatomica, which is frequently touted as being comfortable right out of the box.
Next is Brooks. Large dissapointment with a B15 swallow ti railed, fresh from the factory carton. 2017 production. Leather is tweaked offset. Rails not symmetric.
I'm going to look into the new Ideale.
05-14-18, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by rhm
I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
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05-14-18, 07:21 PM
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...if anyone is interested, I popped for one of those Giles Berthoud saddles in a weak moment to put on a Richard Sachs bike.
They are pretty good right out of the box, but of course I don't know how long it will endure...seems like a solid leather saddle with a relatively light frame.
They are pretty good right out of the box, but of course I don't know how long it will endure...seems like a solid leather saddle with a relatively light frame.
05-15-18, 07:53 PM
#21
Senior Member
I have an Ideal 88 on one of my Grand Records that has the Daniel Rebour markings on it similar to the one in the first picture. As I understand it, the Daniel Rebour designation indicated these were pre-softened or treated with something to make them more softer and thus more comfortable from the get-go. Are the new 90s similarly treated?
05-15-18, 08:04 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by motogeek
Are the new 90s similarly treated?
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07-01-20, 11:48 AM
#23
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07-01-20, 12:05 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by rhm
In the case of Brooks, I suspect the company has become aware of a "use it up and throw it away" among today's cyclists. They market their saddles to people who want a comfortable saddle today, not at some point in the future. Sure, there are those among us who complain the new Brooks saddles don't hold up the way the old ones did; but we seem to be a minority.
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
No economy of use today.
07-01-20, 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Lascauxcaveman
I have multiple vintage Brooks Professionals and a couple modern ones.
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
