laman012

https://cgi.ebay.com/Ideale-alloy-bas...lenotsupported

Picchio Special

When this happens for the 11teenth time, it shouldn't really come as a surprise. Yet pricey (especially French) vintage bike goods continue to astound, apparently, much like Vegas magic shows. Japanese collectors who dig the French bits dig these alloy-rail saddles, and Jan Heine has added the "Golden Age" icing to the constructeur cake. Let's leave the emoticons in the holster, shall we?

laman012

i am still astounded!

Shimagnolo

WTF???

I had an Ideale on a Miyata I sold when I was going away to college.
And to think I bought that saddle because I couldn't afford a Brooks.

Picchio Special

Are you sure it had alloy rails? Or are you just assuming that an Ideale saddle is an Ideale saddle is an Ideale saddle?

Picchio Special

Just wait until South Korea wins the 2010 World Cup.

Shimagnolo

I have no idea. That was years ago.

unworthy1

these *old* alloy rail models (57) are what the JP collectors want: I had a minty fresh alloy-railed model 90 (with the clamp too) that didn't even break the $200 mark on eBay, and it went to an American! I had hopes of Yen-based bidding wars, but no dice.

MotoMan

900 bucks!.... My goodness, I have an Ideale saddle in better condition I bought in France (1978) when I was touring there. My cheapo Motobecance saddle was falling apart, so I went into a bike shop there. I do not think any words were exchanged, considering how bad my French was. The owner pulled out a saddle, put it on, and off I went with minimal investment (or at least it seemed at the time). That saddle is still on that bike (Moto Grand Touring), which I still ride every now and again. It sold me on Brooks on my future bikes. It is a great saddle, has held up, and is still comfortable. It is narrower then the B17. I must say I am tempted to ebay it, but that would be parting with an old friend. I better tell my wife (who still can not understand why one needs more then one bike...) that if I die or get run over, save the saddle and sell it so she could be set up for life... Maybe I will cancel my life insurance policy....

unterhausen

still cheap yet. They have been going for over $2k

It does seem like I used to see these occasionally at the shop. Most Ideals reminded me of a dead skunk that had been run over a few times. But they did make good saddles too.

sunburst

Jeeeezus! This reminds me of when I first noticed people were getting hundreds of dollars for just the odd parts off old guitars, particularly Fender Strats, and Gibson Les Pauls.

Sixty Fiver

I love my Ideale saddles.

Picchio Special

So how do you know yours isn't this type?:

https://tinyurl.com/bk2fo4

bikemore 

That is what I was thinking. Seems the last one I tracked went over $1400.

dbarnblatt@usa.

The real reason here is that this particular saddle... as well as some that have sold for more than twice as much recently... is that it is an early top of the line model is pretty nice condition... a 1950's or so with alloy rails. But beyond that it is a perfect example of a saddle of that period that would have been used on very high end bikes like Rene Herse or Alex Singer.

Ideale made many different saddles over the years. I see alloy rail Mod. 9x's go for $200 or less all the time on ebay... But this early one has what it takes to put on a vintage constructeur bicycle... and, as I have said before, it's a cheap last part to finish off an $8000 bicycle sitting there without a saddle.

unterhausen

are there slots in the rails? Otherwise you better have a perfectly sized custom frame. It is a nice saddle, but I can just goggle at the price.

BobHufford

Shhh ... y'all are going to make East Hill cry.

I think she basically gave one of these saddles away not too long ago. She gave the rest of the bike -- a late '70s Nishiki Pro -- to my wife (sans wheels).

She's a crazy (albeit very generous) lady ...

Bob "Karma Counts" Hufford
Springfield, MO

pastorbobnlnh 

The bike fairies are scattering their dust once again!

But seriously Bob, Mrs. BH does not ride a Schwinn!?!

BobHufford

She's was riding a Trek MTB, then a Specialized MTB, but will very soon be riding a nice '80s Schwinn Voyageur (thank to "Sierra" or Eric Amlie). She also has a '76 Motobecane mixte, a '73 Schwinn lady's Super Sport (also thanks to Eric -- in a million pieces) and now the Nishiki Pro (looking for parts to build it) ...

Bob

kroozer 

Hi fellas,
I'm the one to whom East gave the saddle. It's a model 58 "Cyclocross", with some slight cracks but overall in very nice shape, needs a clamp. At the time I had no idea the Ideale alloy-rail saddles were worth more than the steel kind (I still find that type of thing rather puzzling), although if they're not in new or near-new condition they don't seem to be all that expensive. I was just looking for a French leather saddle. Yes, East is very generous and a total class act. But don't worry, the saddle went to a good home, I'm not gonna sell it and retire from the proceeds. It will go on my 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile and will be well-loved, cared for-- and ridden.

laman012

Of course here is another one:

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=360168155158

gerv 

I just got a Model 39 Ideale saddle off eBay. It was apparently never used and cost $40 plus shipping.

It must be the world's stiffest saddle.

Grand Bois

This one was in my price range.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

unworthy1

Back when Ideale was offering both alloy and steel railed versions of the same model(s), the cost was nearly the same for either option.

Sixty Fiver

I love Ideale saddles...they can give Brooks a run for their money.

I have a 92D touring saddle and a model 60 and both are wonderful.