Italian saddle master refreshes classics, hits wind tunnel – and risks seat-sniffing epidemic
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Selle Italia's new edition of the 1990 Flite looks almost too good to sit on when rendered in nubuck leather(Image credit: Immediate Media)
Weight weenie alert! If the C59 makes it to full production it will be the lightest saddle ever made(Image credit: Immediate Media)
The P-01 concept saddle combines anatomic design with wind tunnel optimisation(Image credit: Immediate Media)
The Max SLR Gel Flow offers a wide channel and gel infused deep padding for maximum comfort(Image credit: Immediate Media)
The Kronos Superflow features a polymer mesh so water can drain away quickly – its one for the triathletes(Image credit: Immediate Media)
The Max Flite follows the classic Flite shape combined with the Superflow cutaway(Image credit: Immediate Media)
The Max Superflow provides deep padding alongside its huge pressure relief cut out(Image credit: Immediate Media)
The SLR Superflow now looks more hole than whole, and should provide maximum pressure relief for the most sensitive riders(Image credit: Immediate Media)
The Novus was reintroduced in 2015; for next year it gets the full Superflow cut-out treatment(Image credit: Immediate Media)
Even the tech-laden SLR can be had in high-grade nubuck(Image credit: Immediate Media)
The bolted-on classic Turbo has also got the nubuck leather treatment (Image credit: Immediate Media)
Selle has also produced this faithful reissue of the classic 1990 Flite, the original superlight saddle(Image credit: Immediate Media)
The possibilities are endless for bold designs with the new eco-friendly – and fragranced – Net saddle(Image credit: Immediate Media)
Selle Italia had great success in 2015 with re-interpretations of classic saddles; for instance, the Ferrari co-designed Novus being reinvented after a 20-year hiatus.
The brand's offering at Eurobike indicated that this is set to continue for 2016 (all prices were TBC at time of publication; we'll update when we have more). For starters, there are faithful reissues of the legendary 1990 Flight and the ever-present Turbo. With SI's new Vintage line it's added a touch of class via new coverings in super-high-grade nubuck leather – just the thing for your custom steel mountain or road machine.
The bolted-on classic Turbo has got the nubuck leather treatment
Alongside the Vintage line Selle Italia has also introduced a new Superflow version of its popular cutout Flow line. As the name hints at, these feature a much more extreme cutout section for riders who are prone to discomfort from even the most open of open cut out saddles. The Superflow design is being rolled out across the whole of the Selle Italia range, with even the TT specific Kronos getting the open treatment.
For the more style conscious urban rider, the Italian firm has also debuted the new Net saddle in an array of wild custom graphic finishes. The Net isn't just style over substance however – it's constructed with 100 percent recyclable materials and features a mesh-like centre section (where the graphics live) for extra breathability, is waterproof treated compares well weight-wise to other urban saddles at a claimed 360g.
The possibilities are endless for bold designs with the new eco-friendly Net saddle
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The Net is also infused with a fresh fragrance, but please don't go around sniffing people's saddles, as we're fairly sure that's not acceptable behaviour in even the most liberal cycling circles…
Finally Selle Italia showed us a glimpse into the future of saddle design, as its designers see it. The P-01 concept saddle took the parameters of a saddle shape to the wind tunnel to tune the aerodynamics.
The one-piece monocoque carbon construction integrates both the hull and rails in a fluid wing-like design. Despite having no padding whatsoever the shape was developed to offer perfect pelvic support, for a saddle that's as comfortable as it is fast looking.
The P-01 concept saddle combines anatomic design with wind tunnel optimisation
The C59 concept saddle meanwhile is one for the weight weenies. It takes the basic shape of the SLR Tekno and reimagines it in the same monocoque one-piece carbon design as the P-01 but with the emphasis on low weight and comfort. The rideable prototype C59 tips the scales at an astonishing 59g. If it makes it to market it'll be the lightest saddle ever made.
