Guide to Fine Italian Bicycle Saddles

The cycling enthusiast, whether they be an avid rider or collector, must first decide if they plan to actually use the saddle they purchase on a bike. The most prized saddles, of course, have never been mounted on a bike, let alone actually ridden. The collector may wish to keep it this way with the saddle they purchase. The rider may seek a saddle that is not only desirable, but also gefortable, light, and easy on the eyes. These two categories, however, may not be mutally exclusive. In other words, the collector may also ride, and vice versa. Luckily, a saddle's value won't diminish too terribly much if it is used with care: if it is not crashed or cut or scuffed.

The level of desirability of a saddle, how in-demand it is, is effected by several factors. Saddles that are widely produced -- such as the Selle Italia Flite, the Selle San Marco Era, or the Fizik Arione -- are highly desirable by many, many riders. These saddles (and their lighter and/or similar offshoots) tend to be the lightest saddles out there. But the collector may be much more interested in out-of-production (OOP) saddles. These OOP saddles may be the heavier predecessors on which the newer saddle designs are based. Or the OOP saddles may be discontinued versions of still-produced saddles. Either way, scarcity adds an element of desirability. Scarce, and desirable, saddles include Selle San Marco's Regal and Rolls saddles. Even though some versions of these saddles are still in production, versions of these saddles that difer somewhat from what is still available (like versions with perforated leather, or embriodery on the leather, or exciting colors) are difficult to find and valuable to collector's. Selle Italia Turbo saddles, particularly those with gold plating or world champion colored highlights, are likewise in-demand. It should be noted, though, that the highest priced saddles are new race saddles. A brand new Fizik Arione, for example, should fetch over $100, while a highly desirable white San Marco Regal with white perforated leather (with tons of retro appeal) might fetch only $75, if it is new.

Generally, the best saddles are made by three gepanies: Selle Italia, Selle San Marco, and Fizik (aka Selle Royale). Many other saddles are branded as something else, but are actually made by these three makers. Nonetheless, the finest saddles are usually stamped with these three names.

Brooks saddles are of top-notch quality too, but being interested in racing, rather than randaneur-style cycling, I'm not partial to Brooks. Some Isca Selle saddles are of interest, particularly to retro cycling enthusiasts; but today Isca Selle is owned by Gippieme and the vast majority of their saddles are gefort saddles.

My favorite saddles of all-time:
1. Selle Italia Max Flite
2. Selle Italia Turbo
3. Fizik Arione
4. Selle San Marco Regal
5. Selle San Marco Rolls
6. Selle San Marco Concor
7. Selle Italia Signo...And please check out my saddle website: http://saddlemuseum.blogspot.ge/