Show Me Your Saddle
11-08-22, 05:43 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,374
Mentioned: 441 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3368 Post(s)
Liked 5,061 Times
in
2,098 Posts
I did a fair amount of (expensive) experimentation a couple of years ago with modern lightweight saddles on bikes I ride the most, including multi-day tours. The conclusion for my arse is that the Brooks Cambian C15 works best, and the one with the slot is now my go to. Here it is under my left hand:
Last edited by nlerner; 11-09-22 at 07:20 AM.
Likes For nlerner:
11-08-22, 06:20 PM
#27
Junior Member
Originally Posted by nlerner
I did a fair amount of (expensive) experimentation a couple of years ago with modern lightweight saddles on bikes I ride the most, including multi-day tours. The conclusion for my arse is that the Brooks Cambian C15 works best, and the one with the slot is now my go to. Here it us under my left hand:
Likes For VRJAKE:
11-08-22, 06:36 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,938
Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione
Mentioned: 162 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 480 Post(s)
Liked 383 Times
in
227 Posts
Here’s my first Berthoud Aravis when it was new:
Same one after five years and thousands of miles. It’s about the same, and still perfect for my asymmetric ***t going into its tenth year with 16,000 miles and counting.
Used this Rivet Independence (also Ti rails, no slot needed for me) for several thousand miles on the other bike, but it never got comfy despite similar shape to the GB:
So it’s been replaced with another GB thanks to my cycling buddy/wife’s generosity. The black ones don’t seem to break in like “natural”.
Same one after five years and thousands of miles. It’s about the same, and still perfect for my asymmetric ***t going into its tenth year with 16,000 miles and counting.
Used this Rivet Independence (also Ti rails, no slot needed for me) for several thousand miles on the other bike, but it never got comfy despite similar shape to the GB:
So it’s been replaced with another GB thanks to my cycling buddy/wife’s generosity. The black ones don’t seem to break in like “natural”.
Likes For smd4:
11-08-22, 07:41 PM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 3,848
Mentioned: 77 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1515 Post(s)
Liked 2,437 Times
in
1,185 Posts
On my C&V bikes, I've got two Brooks B.17s, two Brooks Pro's (one with the older, smaller rivets, and one with the large, hammered rivets), one with a Brooks Swift with titanium rails (a really nice saddle for go-fast bikes), and one with a Lepper Voyager. This Lepper saddle is fairly novel, so let's take a look at it.
The side view shows it as a leather saddle with very short skirts, not unlike the Brooks Swift. The most unusual detail of the Voyager is that the rails and cantle piece are made of tubular steel, instead of the more common solid steel rods or plates.
This shot shows that the cantle piece has a round cross section, and has a couple of holes that show that it is a tube. I'll admit that I'm just trusting that the rails are tubes too.
The decal on one rail says "531 Reynolds", and that is what Lepper says that the rails and cantle piece are made of. Who else can say that they have 531 tubing on their saddle, much less a tubing decal on the saddle??
This is probably a good time to mention that I got this from Joe Russell's shop, from the "take-off" bin for $25.50, probably around the year 2000. These Leppers used to be standard equipment on some Cannondale touring bikes, but a lot of folks didn't get along with them, so they ended up in the take-off bin at a discount.
I should also mention that these Voyagers had a bit of reputation for breaks in the tubular rails, especially where they were welded to the cantle piece. It appears that I'm scrawny enough to not have caused this sort of failure... yet?
The last novel detail about the Voyager is that is uses a strap of woven nylon (I've read) running from front to rear. This is reputed to handle some of the tension inherent to this sort of saddle design, reducing the amount of stretch commonly seen in leather saddles. There is a lighter color piece of material glued over the strap.. not sure why. It is visible at the very rear of the saddle when closely inspected. This photo provides a better view of the additional thickness of this strap...
Other than the distinct tendency for the welds to fail, this is a very nice saddle! I'd rate it up there with the Brooks Swift, honestly. .. especially if you can pick it up for just $25.50!
Steve in Peoria
The side view shows it as a leather saddle with very short skirts, not unlike the Brooks Swift. The most unusual detail of the Voyager is that the rails and cantle piece are made of tubular steel, instead of the more common solid steel rods or plates.
This shot shows that the cantle piece has a round cross section, and has a couple of holes that show that it is a tube. I'll admit that I'm just trusting that the rails are tubes too.
The decal on one rail says "531 Reynolds", and that is what Lepper says that the rails and cantle piece are made of. Who else can say that they have 531 tubing on their saddle, much less a tubing decal on the saddle??
This is probably a good time to mention that I got this from Joe Russell's shop, from the "take-off" bin for $25.50, probably around the year 2000. These Leppers used to be standard equipment on some Cannondale touring bikes, but a lot of folks didn't get along with them, so they ended up in the take-off bin at a discount.
I should also mention that these Voyagers had a bit of reputation for breaks in the tubular rails, especially where they were welded to the cantle piece. It appears that I'm scrawny enough to not have caused this sort of failure... yet?
The last novel detail about the Voyager is that is uses a strap of woven nylon (I've read) running from front to rear. This is reputed to handle some of the tension inherent to this sort of saddle design, reducing the amount of stretch commonly seen in leather saddles. There is a lighter color piece of material glued over the strap.. not sure why. It is visible at the very rear of the saddle when closely inspected. This photo provides a better view of the additional thickness of this strap...
Other than the distinct tendency for the welds to fail, this is a very nice saddle! I'd rate it up there with the Brooks Swift, honestly. .. especially if you can pick it up for just $25.50!
Steve in Peoria
Likes For steelbikeguy:
11-08-22, 08:32 PM
#31
Myrtle Beach Crab
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Newport RI
Posts: 658
Bikes: enough one would think, but thinking isn't my strong point
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 220 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times
in
145 Posts
rudy special italia stamped reproduction with insanely large rivets
on a brooks pro frame.. can't decide where to use it... either a torpado luxe that's in the build pattern, or TBD...
on a brooks pro frame.. can't decide where to use it... either a torpado luxe that's in the build pattern, or TBD...
Likes For cocoabeachcrab:
11-08-22, 09:03 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Monte Rio CA
Posts: 1,104
Bikes: Motobecane Le Champion, Raleigh International, Bertin, Raleigh DL-1 1980, Colnago Super, Centurion Pro Tour, Follis, Bianchi Competizione, Zunow Di Picce, Brompton M6L, V.O. Passhunter, Don Farrell, Specialized Stumpjumper, Black Mountain Monstercros
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Liked 622 Times
in
122 Posts
Ideale Diagonale No.92 by djk762, on Flickr
St. Christopher by djk762, on Flickr
Brooks Imperial by djk762, on Flickr
1968 Raleigh Sports by djk762, on Flickr
Likes For djkashuba:
11-08-22, 10:48 PM
#33
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Posts: 220
Bikes: Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra Molteni 2005, Colnago Master X-light Mapei 2020
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 309 Times
in
128 Posts
Very interesting thread.
The most comfy saddle is leather saddle, Brooks, Ideale, Fujita, etc.
The leather changes its form along the cyclist's pelvis and riding characteristic, just like 3D scanning!
2003, Tour de France celebrated the centenary.
Britain's Cycle Sport or Procycling, I'm not sure, reported pro road cyclists riding classic road bikes.
When they rode a bike with a leather saddle, they were surprised how comfy the leather saddle was.
People can't make perfect things and leather saddles are no exception too.
It takes time to break in and soften.
It takes regular care and maintenance.
When the saddle gets wet after raining ride, wash down dirt and wipe off water and add oil like Brooks Proofide.
After long miles, the leather stretches and the top goes down without doubt.
To keep the saddle height, tightening the tension bolt is needed too.
I'd been using an Ideale 88, tan, Daniel-Rebour stamped, on a road bike in 1980 or so.
It was treated and softened to ride at once.
Yeah, it was comfy and no bad feel.
Before Ideale 88, I used the following:
Fujita seamless
Fujita seamless pro king
Cinelli No. 2
San Marco Concor
Ideal 88 was very good, but aesthetically...
First, the color tan, hmmm, not good on road bikes.
Second, its shape, hmmm, it isn't cool and smart enough for road bikes.
It didn't look fast, ha, ha, ha.
I knew Eddy Merckx, my cycling god, was using Brooks pro in Tour de France 1975, but...
So I changed it to Selle Italia Turbo, the latest saddle, used by the rising star Bernard Hinault winning Tour de France and Giro d'Italia in 1982.
Yeah, it was 1982, I suppose.
Turbo wasn't superior to Ideal 88, but better than other plastics I used.
Since then, Turbo and its brothers have been my choice.
Turbo 1980, remake
lighter than original
Turbo Special
I couldn't find a white Turbo 1980,
so second choice, Rolls
I've never used it.
This isn't bad, as good as Turbo 1980, ha, ha, ha,
The most comfy saddle is leather saddle, Brooks, Ideale, Fujita, etc.
The leather changes its form along the cyclist's pelvis and riding characteristic, just like 3D scanning!
2003, Tour de France celebrated the centenary.
Britain's Cycle Sport or Procycling, I'm not sure, reported pro road cyclists riding classic road bikes.
When they rode a bike with a leather saddle, they were surprised how comfy the leather saddle was.
People can't make perfect things and leather saddles are no exception too.
It takes time to break in and soften.
It takes regular care and maintenance.
When the saddle gets wet after raining ride, wash down dirt and wipe off water and add oil like Brooks Proofide.
After long miles, the leather stretches and the top goes down without doubt.
To keep the saddle height, tightening the tension bolt is needed too.
I'd been using an Ideale 88, tan, Daniel-Rebour stamped, on a road bike in 1980 or so.
It was treated and softened to ride at once.
Yeah, it was comfy and no bad feel.
Before Ideale 88, I used the following:
Fujita seamless
Fujita seamless pro king
Cinelli No. 2
San Marco Concor
Ideal 88 was very good, but aesthetically...
First, the color tan, hmmm, not good on road bikes.
Second, its shape, hmmm, it isn't cool and smart enough for road bikes.
It didn't look fast, ha, ha, ha.
I knew Eddy Merckx, my cycling god, was using Brooks pro in Tour de France 1975, but...
So I changed it to Selle Italia Turbo, the latest saddle, used by the rising star Bernard Hinault winning Tour de France and Giro d'Italia in 1982.
Yeah, it was 1982, I suppose.
Turbo wasn't superior to Ideal 88, but better than other plastics I used.
Since then, Turbo and its brothers have been my choice.
Turbo 1980, remake
lighter than original
Turbo Special
I couldn't find a white Turbo 1980,
so second choice, Rolls
I've never used it.
This isn't bad, as good as Turbo 1980, ha, ha, ha,
Last edited by darkmoon; 11-09-22 at 02:20 AM.
Likes For darkmoon:
11-09-22, 01:57 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 924
Bikes: 1963? Anquetil , 1973 PX10,1979 PX10,1984 PX10, VITUS 979 PX10DU,1970S ALAN,1985 PSV10,1980s PY10FC,1978 bERTIN,ALAN carbon
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 238 Post(s)
Liked 461 Times
in
207 Posts
A bunch of turbos , with brooks and an Ideale in there too .
Likes For 1simplexnut:
11-09-22, 02:24 AM
#35
guy with punchable face
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 724
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 440 Post(s)
Liked 411 Times
in
184 Posts
Cinelli on the Molteni
colnago on the “guess”
3ttt for upcoming project
3ttt on a rare 3ttt post
colnago on the “guess”
3ttt for upcoming project
3ttt on a rare 3ttt post
__________________
Waiting for the campy 100 ani groupset.
Waiting for the campy 100 ani groupset.
Likes For Robvolz:
Likes For vp1337:
11-09-22, 04:16 AM
#37
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 29,243
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 174 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2723 Post(s)
Liked 2,201 Times
in
1,225 Posts
I’ll take some pics tonight if I get early enough, but I seem to have mostly leather saddles like the venerable Brooks, but my Colt is probably a unique, as is the V.O. saddle and of course this OCD Special from Middlemore.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Likes For Bianchigirll:
11-09-22, 09:46 AM
#38
Partially Sane.
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Sunny Sacramento.
Posts: 3,562
Bikes: Soma Saga, pre-disc
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 971 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 638 Times
in
463 Posts
Being a perpetual tourist, people will steal your saddle, and anything else. My current saddle is far more comfortable than it looks. I got this one and 4 others for free, at an E-bike dealership, and slowly tested each one. It beat 2 sprung saddles. 👍
Likes For mississippimud:
11-09-22, 11:41 AM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,126
Bikes: '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1436 Post(s)
Liked 1,774 Times
in
897 Posts
My selection is here - Saddles | Flickr
But(t) my current usage and preference are Brooks Swallows, then the Pro.
P1040763 on Flickr
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA on Flickr
For shorter rides the ever light Flite Ti is a good choice.
B_Y_Saddle_tire on Flickr
Also available in white.
P1020208 on Flickr
Lately I have been trying the even lighter Brooks C13 with carbon oval rails
P1050758 on Flickr
But(t) my current usage and preference are Brooks Swallows, then the Pro.
P1040763 on FlickrOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA on FlickrFor shorter rides the ever light Flite Ti is a good choice.
B_Y_Saddle_tire on FlickrAlso available in white.
P1020208 on FlickrLately I have been trying the even lighter Brooks C13 with carbon oval rails
P1050758 on Flickr
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Last edited by SJX426; 11-09-22 at 11:45 AM.
11-09-22, 03:03 PM
#41
Standard Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Posts: 3,458
Bikes: 1948 P. Barnard & Son, 1962 Rudge Sports, 1963 Freddie Grubb Routier, 1980 Manufrance Hirondelle, 1983 F. Moser Sprint, 1989 Raleigh Technium Pre, 2001 Raleigh M80
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 985 Post(s)
Liked 330 Times
in
196 Posts
Trimmed and beveled B15N with 1991 Professional S.
Competition (from Hilary Stone) with year-and-a-half old Flyer S
Competition (from Hilary Stone) with year-and-a-half old Flyer S
11-09-22, 04:53 PM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Seal Beach Ca. On the right , next to Long Beach
Posts: 1,773
Bikes: 86' Centurion Ironman
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 605 Post(s)
Liked 241 Times
in
151 Posts
The saddle is a Kashimax BMX it had no padding , I liked it . mswesti would laugh at me for buying it , a seat with no padding , riiiight .
DSCF2566 by mark westi, on Flickr
DSCF2566 by mark westi, on Flickr
Last edited by markwesti; 11-09-22 at 04:58 PM.
11-09-22, 05:01 PM
#43
Rolling Vintage Only
It's not frequent that bike saddles address international politics, revolutions, and such. But, here is a Persons Majestic special issue from 1979.
Likes For drpaddle:
Likes For droppedandlost:
11-10-22, 04:05 AM
#45
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 29,243
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 174 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2723 Post(s)
Liked 2,201 Times
in
1,225 Posts
I got home at bedtime again! I can’t believe how busy we are for November but the weather is with us it been beautiful for late fall.
Anyway let’s start off with the fabulous Colt topping of my colorful Cornelo
Then we have a VO saddle, sorry I haven’t any idea what the model was. Or uh is.
One of three basic Brooks B-17s.
A great looking white Turbo I managed to pickup for my Bertoni Speckled Trout.
And a basic black Turbo that think I’ve had since new in the early ‘90s rest atop my Ugly Betty.
Anyway let’s start off with the fabulous Colt topping of my colorful Cornelo
Then we have a VO saddle, sorry I haven’t any idea what the model was. Or uh is.
One of three basic Brooks B-17s.
A great looking white Turbo I managed to pickup for my Bertoni Speckled Trout.
And a basic black Turbo that think I’ve had since new in the early ‘90s rest atop my Ugly Betty.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
11-10-22, 10:13 AM
#46
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,409
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales, Aero Lotus & a Lonely '83 Santana Tandem (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 1,335 Times
in
622 Posts
How about some Brooks in Color?
Blue Brooks Professional
Violet Brooks Colt
Green Brooks B17
Blue Brooks Professional
Violet Brooks Colt
Green Brooks B17
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Likes For pastorbobnlnh:
11-10-22, 10:17 AM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,954
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1340 Post(s)
Liked 1,635 Times
in
841 Posts
Originally Posted by nlerner
I did a fair amount of (expensive) experimentation a couple of years ago with modern lightweight saddles on bikes I ride the most, including multi-day tours. The conclusion for my arse is that the Brooks Cambian C15 works best, and the one with the slot is now my go to. Here it is under my left hand:
Likes For curbtender:
How do I get the tail lights to work?
11-10-22, 12:41 PM
#49
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 10,512
Bikes: Yes, please.
Mentioned: 263 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2002 Post(s)
Liked 3,289 Times
in
1,381 Posts
One of the few deviations from my use of classic leather saddles is this Cinelli Volare SLX I mounted on my Faggin. Not entirely period correct, but I thought a cromovelato Italian bike deserved the snazziest Italian saddle I had.
Likes For non-fixie:
11-10-22, 12:47 PM
#50
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,335
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 81 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2484 Post(s)
Liked 1,345 Times
in
764 Posts
The Cambium and the pile of Cambiums..
IMG_1744 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
Brooks Saddles by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
The B17:
M1000LT Seat n Cluster by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
And the Berthoud...
Berthoud Saddle on Trek 720 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
That Berthoud is hardcore- it's gone off and on the bike several times over the past few years, it's on there right now.
IMG_1744 by Dave The Golden Boy, on FlickrBrooks Saddles by Dave The Golden Boy, on FlickrThe B17:
M1000LT Seat n Cluster by Dave The Golden Boy, on FlickrAnd the Berthoud...
Berthoud Saddle on Trek 720 by Dave The Golden Boy, on FlickrThat Berthoud is hardcore- it's gone off and on the bike several times over the past few years, it's on there right now.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
