First ride on my Ideale saddle
07-25-09 | 09:35 PM
#1
Thread Starter
In the right lane
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 8
From: Des Moines
Bikes: 1974 Huffy 3 speed
First ride on my Ideale saddle
I picked up an Ideale model 39 saddle in very good condition a few weeks ago. Today I got around to installing it on my touring bike and went for a ride.
This is my first all-leather saddle and I was kind of dreading the first ride. I heard so many comments about breaking it in and how it is much stiffer than even a Brooks B-17.
To my surprise, I loved it. I only went 12 miles, but that was mainly due to darkness not butt ache. In fact, I found the leather soaked up a lot of the road bumps. I also did a one mile ride in non-bike shorts. That went OK too.
I'm just wondering why anyone would ride a modern saddle...
This is my first all-leather saddle and I was kind of dreading the first ride. I heard so many comments about breaking it in and how it is much stiffer than even a Brooks B-17.
To my surprise, I loved it. I only went 12 miles, but that was mainly due to darkness not butt ache. In fact, I found the leather soaked up a lot of the road bumps. I also did a one mile ride in non-bike shorts. That went OK too.
I'm just wondering why anyone would ride a modern saddle...
07-26-09 | 03:22 AM
#3
Freewheel Medic
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,551
Likes: 3,292
From: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
I picked up this #45 over the winter for less then $40 shipped. It's still waiting for the perfect bike.
And I've put 1000s of miles on this #80 on several different bikes. It was used when I bought it several years ago. The hardness of the leather has never changed and is basically the same as the NOS #45. But the important thing is it has always been comfortable. The feel is different then a Brooks. Difficult to describe. But I can tell the difference.
Best of luck with yours. A picture of it would be nice!
And I've put 1000s of miles on this #80 on several different bikes. It was used when I bought it several years ago. The hardness of the leather has never changed and is basically the same as the NOS #45. But the important thing is it has always been comfortable. The feel is different then a Brooks. Difficult to describe. But I can tell the difference.
Best of luck with yours. A picture of it would be nice!
__________________
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
07-26-09 | 12:39 PM
#4
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,529
Likes: 945
From: The other Maine, north of RT 2
Bikes: Seriously downsizing.
Two of my #42 are super comfy, one is getting there.
The #39 and #80 are still very stiff despite repeated applications of Pecards, being left in the sun, ect. I think Sheldon's neatsfoot oil bath might be in order on those.
Top
The #39 and #80 are still very stiff despite repeated applications of Pecards, being left in the sun, ect. I think Sheldon's neatsfoot oil bath might be in order on those.
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
Last edited by top506; 07-26-09 at 01:50 PM.
07-26-09 | 01:01 PM
#5
Banned.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 12,292
Likes: 4,863
From: PAZ
I'm just wondering why anyone would ride a modern saddle...[/QUOTE]
For one, modern saddles save weight (less to drag uphill for us old guys); for another, all tushes aren't created equally
I did 90 miles yesterday on a vintage rig outfitted with a Flite Carbon saddle (the full carbon shell type). No problem; BTW, this was my first long ride since returning to the USA after a year over in Afghanistan. Because the CF flexes, it's very much like the feeling of a broken in full leather saddle.
Good padding in the shorts helps, too!
For one, modern saddles save weight (less to drag uphill for us old guys); for another, all tushes aren't created equally
I did 90 miles yesterday on a vintage rig outfitted with a Flite Carbon saddle (the full carbon shell type). No problem; BTW, this was my first long ride since returning to the USA after a year over in Afghanistan. Because the CF flexes, it's very much like the feeling of a broken in full leather saddle.
Good padding in the shorts helps, too!
07-26-09 | 01:51 PM
#6
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,529
Likes: 945
From: The other Maine, north of RT 2
Bikes: Seriously downsizing.
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
07-26-09 | 02:09 PM
#8
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
I only have a few bikes that do not have leather saddles and I have Ideales, Wrights, Lycette, Brooks, and a few mystery saddles.
For me I find them to be superior to synthetics except for weight... I am very happy with my Ideale saddles and have a 92D touring, a 90, and a 60.
They are on a part with Broooks when it comes to quality of construction and ride quality.
For me I find them to be superior to synthetics except for weight... I am very happy with my Ideale saddles and have a 92D touring, a 90, and a 60.
They are on a part with Broooks when it comes to quality of construction and ride quality.
