Does anyone have experience with Origin8?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Bikes: 1964 Raleigh Sports
Does anyone have experience with Origin8?
Debating switching to a new saddle because I need new handlebar tape.
My question is, though, does anyone here have any experience with the Origin8 Pro Uno Saddle
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Pro-Un...ywords=origin8
Or the Classic Lite
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Classi...ywords=origin8
Or the Origin8 tape
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Cork-H...s=origin8+tape
I'm just looking for way cheaper alternatives to the more pricey seats as I want to improve the look and feel of my bike while not begging bike thieves to take it while I'm in class. I also figure real leather is out of the question as it's going to be rained on.
My question is, though, does anyone here have any experience with the Origin8 Pro Uno Saddle
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Pro-Un...ywords=origin8
Or the Classic Lite
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Classi...ywords=origin8
Or the Origin8 tape
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Cork-H...s=origin8+tape
I'm just looking for way cheaper alternatives to the more pricey seats as I want to improve the look and feel of my bike while not begging bike thieves to take it while I'm in class. I also figure real leather is out of the question as it's going to be rained on.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 434
Likes: 2
From: Brookline MA
Bikes: 1983 Trek 600, 1973 Mercian
No experience with the saddle, but at that price I did like the Charge Spoon, which kind of looks similar.
The chainring bolts they make are no good though. I snapped a bunch when I was trying to put them on my bike.
The chainring bolts they make are no good though. I snapped a bunch when I was trying to put them on my bike.
#3
Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
I own 2 pro uno's a black and a brown one. They're on my main bikes, and I really haven't had any issues with them. They're pretty classy looking (to me) and cheap.. they're extremely lightweight for the price too. I really am trying to rack my brain for any complaints and I can't come up with any.. the tops a lil soft I guess but it hasn't given me any issues either.
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Bikes: 1964 Raleigh Sports
I own 2 pro uno's a black and a brown one. They're on my main bikes, and I really haven't had any issues with them. They're pretty classy looking (to me) and cheap.. they're extremely lightweight for the price too. I really am trying to rack my brain for any complaints and I can't come up with any.. the tops a lil soft I guess but it hasn't given me any issues either.
#5
Chainstay Brake Mafia
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,007
Likes: 19
From: California
i have some O8 chainring bolts on my daily rider and they are fine.. used their bartape a number of times and it's fine as well. saddles i've seen seemed like the covering was thin but i didn't use them so couldn't actually say
#6
Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
#7
Still learning

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,529
Likes: 88
From: North of Canada, Adirondacks
Bikes: Still a garage full
It's hard to beat Origin 8 for value, I have bought 20 or more Pro Road and Urban Aero models of their saddles, and other running gear. Design, finish and quality for the price point is excellent. The saddles were bought on Amazon, via Bells Bike Ship in Philadelphia, which has excellent customer service.
The cork colored bar tape color is a bit weird IMHO, too orange. Then again, on my 1984 Trek 520, the tape was bright orange, but dirty and torn.
The cork colored bar tape color is a bit weird IMHO, too orange. Then again, on my 1984 Trek 520, the tape was bright orange, but dirty and torn.
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Bikes: 1964 Raleigh Sports
Ok, so now I need some nudging in some direction.
Keep the black (original) seat and tape the handlebars black.
Get a white seat and re-tape the handlebars white.
Or, do what I'm leaning towards, and get the brown Origin8 seat. I'm just lost on which tape to get to go along with it.

By the way, the tape in the picture is just basic athletic tape. It's what I used to tape my baseball bats with. Did it cause I was used to the feel, want to change it because it's started to peel off.
Keep the black (original) seat and tape the handlebars black.
Get a white seat and re-tape the handlebars white.
Or, do what I'm leaning towards, and get the brown Origin8 seat. I'm just lost on which tape to get to go along with it.

By the way, the tape in the picture is just basic athletic tape. It's what I used to tape my baseball bats with. Did it cause I was used to the feel, want to change it because it's started to peel off.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Bikes: Schwinn, Bottecchia, Miyata, projects
My brother has a Pro Uno on his Panasonic. He's fine with it, but I can't stand it--saddles. There's no universal solution.
I have a crankset of theirs. It's nothing fancy, but works just fine and the price was unbeatable ($30 new w/ chainring).
I have a crankset of theirs. It's nothing fancy, but works just fine and the price was unbeatable ($30 new w/ chainring).
#12
Origin-8 is the brand of J&B who pretty much picks stuff out of Asian component manufactuers' catalogs just like all the other players in that re-branding game. There might be a handful of original designs, but not really. So, it's hard to say how good Origin-8 stuff is; some of it is as good as cheapo Chinese/Taiwanese imports get, some of it is complete garbage. Depends on the particular component.
My favorite budget saddle is the Charge Spoon. +1 to that recommendation.
#14
Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
If it was me, I'd rock the black Uno saddle unless your gonna get cork tape or something to match the brown.
#15
Chainstay Brake Mafia
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,007
Likes: 19
From: California
yep.. "Origin 8" is really just no-name asian stuff kinda like tektro or whatever. everything i've used has been "good enough" quality like most people have mentioned
#16
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 107
From: Scranton, PA, USA
Bikes: '77 Centurion "Pro Tour"; '67 Carlton "The Flyer"; 1984 Ross MTB (stored at parents' house)
I actually like their threaded headset quite a bit. It's an interesting bit of kit in that it comes with both JIS and ISO fork crown races.
I also use their giant saddlebag, which is a good introduction to see if you like them. Most of my 2 years of riding with it or thereabouts has been in New Mexico, so it hasn't really been tested by the weather, but I like it just fine.
I also use their giant saddlebag, which is a good introduction to see if you like them. Most of my 2 years of riding with it or thereabouts has been in New Mexico, so it hasn't really been tested by the weather, but I like it just fine.









