Classic saddle remakes and knockoffs
09-13-11, 02:47 PM
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Classic saddle remakes and knockoffs
My favorite saddle of all time is the Selle Italia Flite Ti. I am aware that SI reissued the classic Flite recently, but only in black, and I'd like to find a nice NOS in white. Then I stumbled over a knockoff on the Soma site:
https://www.somafab.com/archives/prod...titanium-rails
Looks pretty dead on, but the devil's in the details. Has anyone here had any experience with these?
Or for that matter, any other knockoffs of classics?
https://www.somafab.com/archives/prod...titanium-rails
Looks pretty dead on, but the devil's in the details. Has anyone here had any experience with these?
Or for that matter, any other knockoffs of classics?
09-13-11, 02:52 PM
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I still have a white SI Flite Ti, attempting to sand and re-dye the cover.
The only experience I have with the Soma saddle was observing Armani576's Soma on his DX6000.
It looked really nice, and he said it was excellent, especially for the money.
The Forte and other knock-offs, I'm not so fond of.
I always thought a remake of the Selle San Marco Concors Lite would be a hit. I'd buy a couple.
The only experience I have with the Soma saddle was observing Armani576's Soma on his DX6000.
It looked really nice, and he said it was excellent, especially for the money.
The Forte and other knock-offs, I'm not so fond of.
I always thought a remake of the Selle San Marco Concors Lite would be a hit. I'd buy a couple.
09-13-11, 03:16 PM
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Let's face it, with the exception of Brooks, there is nothing particularly unique about classic and new (i.e., Fizik) saddles. This is not rocket science. For example, I have a Fizik and 3 Fizik clones. They ride the same. I also have one of the performance retro knockoffs and it . . . rides just like a saddle and looks fine.. The key always is, what works or fits your.
09-13-11, 03:21 PM
#4
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I have an unbranded leather saddle--I guess you could call it a Brooks knockoff. It wasn't horrible, but it was pretty much impossible to break in. I eventually took it off and replaced it with a brooks. If I flip a bike some day (I usually don't flip) that I feel could get a better price with a leather saddle, I'll probably pop it on there and say goodbye to it.
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1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
09-13-11, 03:26 PM
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I think my hesitation on the Soma Flite is the "vegan friendly" cover. The synthetic cover of my Turbo reissue is very slick. Too slick.
09-13-11, 04:00 PM
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Ah the classic Flite Ti. One of my favorite saddles. I have 3 classics and one gel, two of which have their old leather removed and ready for a fresh recover!
09-13-11, 04:07 PM
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I have Aero 8's Concor Super Corsa knockoff. The padding is a tad soft, but worth the $20-ish I spent on it.
09-13-11, 04:17 PM
#8
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I was recently considering the Soma knockoff of the San Marco Rolls. Couldn't pull the trigger. Maybe it was the name. (Yamada) Bought the the Rolls. It was the right decision for me.
09-13-11, 09:23 PM
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I actually bought the reissue of the Regal but still need more time on it. I never got to try an original so I can't say how the two compare. I had a black perforated Ti Flite earlier this year but left in on a Bianchi MTB I sold as it was an asscalpel for me. I was debating on a Concor reissue but not sold on the the original version I have now. I can do about ten miles on it and then I get ansty pants.
09-13-11, 09:29 PM
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I used a Origin 8 knock-off of the Selle San Marco Concor before I knew any better. Near as I can tell it is a dead on ringer as far as looks go. Not sure how the feel compares, all I know is the knock-off killed my bits after more than 5-6 miles. So I suppose it wasn't great.
