Ideale 90 is back
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Evanston, IL
Posts: 5,084
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1442 Post(s)
Liked 1,387 Times
in
758 Posts
Ideale 90 is back
Dale Brown (Classic Rendezvous owner/operator) posted this Flickr album regarding the new Ideale 90 he received in the mail. Apparently the people working on the resurrection of the brand have been at it for about five years. They've tracked down retired employees as well as some of the original equipment. Seems like a labor of love. (I love my 90.)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/oroboy...h/40298742994/
Looks pretty nice:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/oroboy...h/40298742994/
Looks pretty nice:
Likes For smontanaro:
#2
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,793
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1391 Post(s)
Liked 1,322 Times
in
835 Posts
That looks great! If the original Ideale on my Sieger is too old and tired, that might be a good alternative to a Brooks Pro, which is what I put on my other Capo.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,031
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4509 Post(s)
Liked 6,374 Times
in
3,666 Posts
Going to have to want one pretty bad, I think the thread about these said they $250+ a copy.
Very cool and as we know, cool = spendy.
Very cool and as we know, cool = spendy.
#5
Bad example
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Seattle and Reims
Posts: 3,045
Bikes: Peugeot: AO-8 1973, PA-10 1971, PR-10 1973, Sante 1988; Masi Gran Criterium 1975, Stevenson Tourer 1980, Stevenson Criterium 1981, Schwinn Paramount 1972, Rodriguez 2006, Gitane Federal ~1975, Holdsworth Pro, Follis 172 ~1973, Bianchi '62
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 817 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times
in
85 Posts
But there’s no “Croupon Garanti” stamp!
__________________
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,047
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3011 Post(s)
Liked 3,787 Times
in
1,405 Posts
A Brooks Pro is $190. If you want French, at that point, it ain't much more.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,995 Posts
My first road bike had one in the natural color, a bit more depth to the finish, but I admire the effort.
It was a good saddle, worry about it one wet Winter after riding in wrapped on a baggie had me switch to an all plastic Unicanitor. The equal comfort and lack of upkeep required as well as the reduced weigh had me. Sold it off a few years later for a handsome sum at the time. They were hard to get. Still, a very attractive saddle. Better shape than the Brooks Pro for my undercarriage.
It was a good saddle, worry about it one wet Winter after riding in wrapped on a baggie had me switch to an all plastic Unicanitor. The equal comfort and lack of upkeep required as well as the reduced weigh had me. Sold it off a few years later for a handsome sum at the time. They were hard to get. Still, a very attractive saddle. Better shape than the Brooks Pro for my undercarriage.
#8
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
but I don't think the Idéale 90 ever had them.
One of the people involved in the Idéale resurrection has been participating generously in the discussion on the Classic Rendezvous list. It sounds like they are very conscientious and serious.
At the moment they are producing the model no 90, which was a classic of the 1970's. They hope to start offering other models at some point. It will be interesting to see which models they choose.
One of the people involved in the Idéale resurrection has been participating generously in the discussion on the Classic Rendezvous list. It sounds like they are very conscientious and serious.
At the moment they are producing the model no 90, which was a classic of the 1970's. They hope to start offering other models at some point. It will be interesting to see which models they choose.
#9
Senior Member
Wow! I missed the discussion on CR - very cool to use the original equipment and consult with the original workers.
#10
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,793
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1391 Post(s)
Liked 1,322 Times
in
835 Posts
Ouch! That's twice what I paid for my Brooks Pro during a Nashbar sale. I guess no one else wanted maroon, but my artist wife assures me it is perfect on my Capo.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#11
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,793
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1391 Post(s)
Liked 1,322 Times
in
835 Posts
Ouch! That's twice what I paid for my Brooks Pro during a Nashbar sale. I guess no one else wanted maroon, but my artist wife assures me it is perfect on my Capo.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#12
No longer active
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,001
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 89 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
I always like the TB80 & TB90...
I hope they get around to reissuing their touring saddles- I love my TB75, and my TB6 (ridden to near destruction) was the most comfortable leather saddle I've owned to date. If Ideale made or reissued a single-rail version of the TB75, I'd probably sell both of my Brooks Flyers.
This is not to say anything against Brooks (impeccable quality), but saddles are a very personal thing, and in my case the Ideale saddles fit my butt just a tad better.
I hope they get around to reissuing their touring saddles- I love my TB75, and my TB6 (ridden to near destruction) was the most comfortable leather saddle I've owned to date. If Ideale made or reissued a single-rail version of the TB75, I'd probably sell both of my Brooks Flyers.
This is not to say anything against Brooks (impeccable quality), but saddles are a very personal thing, and in my case the Ideale saddles fit my butt just a tad better.
Last edited by DIMcyclist; 03-26-18 at 01:18 PM.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 7,922
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 630 Times
in
356 Posts
I have multiple vintage Brooks Professionals and a couple modern ones.
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
Anyone here know if that is also the case with the Ideale vintage vs the Ideale repro saddles? They certainly look nice!
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
Anyone here know if that is also the case with the Ideale vintage vs the Ideale repro saddles? They certainly look nice!
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: STP
Posts: 14,491
Mentioned: 74 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 821 Post(s)
Liked 255 Times
in
142 Posts
Love my Ideale.
I've been riding this one for ten years.
Still have a back up on the shelf, if this one wears out.
If I am still riding in 10-15 years, I'd consider a reissue.
Untitled by gomango1849, on Flickr
Untitled by gomango1849, on Flickr
I've been riding this one for ten years.
Still have a back up on the shelf, if this one wears out.
If I am still riding in 10-15 years, I'd consider a reissue.
Untitled by gomango1849, on Flickr
Untitled by gomango1849, on Flickr
#16
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
I have multiple vintage Brooks Professionals and a couple modern ones.
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
Anyone here know if that is also the case with the Ideale vintage vs the Ideale repro saddles? They certainly look nice!
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
Anyone here know if that is also the case with the Ideale vintage vs the Ideale repro saddles? They certainly look nice!
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#17
Bad example
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Seattle and Reims
Posts: 3,045
Bikes: Peugeot: AO-8 1973, PA-10 1971, PR-10 1973, Sante 1988; Masi Gran Criterium 1975, Stevenson Tourer 1980, Stevenson Criterium 1981, Schwinn Paramount 1972, Rodriguez 2006, Gitane Federal ~1975, Holdsworth Pro, Follis 172 ~1973, Bianchi '62
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 817 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times
in
85 Posts
In the case of Brooks, I suspect the company has become aware of a "use it up and throw it away" among today's cyclists. They market their saddles to people who want a comfortable saddle today, not at some point in the future. Sure, there are those among us who complain the new Brooks saddles don't hold up the way the old ones did; but we seem to be a minority.
__________________
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
#18
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 423 Times
in
282 Posts
In the case of Brooks, I suspect the company has become aware of a "use it up and throw it away" among today's cyclists. They market their saddles to people who want a comfortable saddle today, not at some point in the future. Sure, there are those among us who complain the new Brooks saddles don't hold up the way the old ones did; but we seem to be a minority.
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
Next is Brooks. Large dissapointment with a B15 swallow ti railed, fresh from the factory carton. 2017 production. Leather is tweaked offset. Rails not symmetric.
I'm going to look into the new Ideale.
#19
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,627
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 2,563 Times
in
1,577 Posts
"Spongiform", perhaps?
#20
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26388 Post(s)
Liked 10,365 Times
in
7,197 Posts
...if anyone is interested, I popped for one of those Giles Berthoud saddles in a weak moment to put on a Richard Sachs bike.
They are pretty good right out of the box, but of course I don't know how long it will endure...seems like a solid leather saddle with a relatively light frame.
They are pretty good right out of the box, but of course I don't know how long it will endure...seems like a solid leather saddle with a relatively light frame.
#21
Full Member
I have an Ideal 88 on one of my Grand Records that has the Daniel Rebour markings on it similar to the one in the first picture. As I understand it, the Daniel Rebour designation indicated these were pre-softened or treated with something to make them more softer and thus more comfortable from the get-go. Are the new 90s similarly treated?
#23
Newbie
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,995 Posts
In the case of Brooks, I suspect the company has become aware of a "use it up and throw it away" among today's cyclists. They market their saddles to people who want a comfortable saddle today, not at some point in the future. Sure, there are those among us who complain the new Brooks saddles don't hold up the way the old ones did; but we seem to be a minority.
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
Whether they can get leather of the quality and quantity they used 50 years ago, I won't speculate.
As for Ideale, they have found a domestic source of leather tanned by the same method as they used 50 years ago. I am not sure I'm understanding what Katia said on CR: but I believe she meant to say they use leather from deceased dairy cows, rather than beef cattle; the latter may have a spongy quality. But as I say, I may have misunderstood her on this matter.
Brooks is trying to be a modern company marketing a traditional product to today's rider. They are trying to modernize and move with the times. Whether that is the new Ideale's goal, I can't say.
At any rate no one should mistake leather thickness for leather quality. Leather has many characteristics, some of which make for a good saddle, others not. Thickness is one of them; but hardly the only one.
No economy of use today.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Medford MA
Posts: 2,089
Bikes: Ron Cooper touring, 1959 Jack Taylor 650b ladyback touring tandem, Vitus 979, Joe Bell painted Claud Butler Dalesman, Colin Laing curved tube tandem, heavily-Dilberted 1982 Trek 6xx, René Herse tandem
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 1,451 Times
in
723 Posts
I have multiple vintage Brooks Professionals and a couple modern ones.
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
While they are actually pretty nice saddles, the modern ones seem to be invariably made from lighter weight leather and have a bit more flex and give to them (Even the deluxe 'Team Pro'). They don't inspire confidence that they will be as long lasting as the venerable ones from the 1970s and earlier.
__________________
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.