Michael Allison wrote:
>
> Chuck,
>
> I'm not in a competition or have any vested interest here. Just trying
> to spread information. (cut)
>
> Is it possible that there were two tier Ottusi models?? (cut)
Michael,
I'm sorry if my questions to you come across as a challenge as that is not my intention at all. My purpose is to find new info on the stuff that interests me like Ottusi saddles. Since they were hand modified I'm very interested to note the small differences and variations in them. And of course all this info helps in making modifications to my own leather saddles.
Yes, I've seen Ottusi saddles with no stamps/brands on the flaps and I've seen Ottusi saddles with the Brooks stamp on the flaps. Some with the traditional three holes in the top, some with no holes, some with twenty to thirty holes in the top.
As to your question of Ottusi saddles marked Brooks being a lower priced second tier model? I would think not. The Brooks B.17, as noted recently on the list, was the saddle of choice amongst pro racers clear back into the 1930s and this was across the board in the TdF and even in Italy. Fausto Coppi rode on a modified Brooks B.17. The Brooks B.17 with the "select butt leather" was acknowledged at the time as the best saddle available.
I've always found it a fascinating contradiction given the Italian's reputation for making fine leather goods, that the majority of Italian pros chose to ride on modified B.17s and not modified Italian saddles.
Anyone else have something to contribute???
Warmest regards, Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
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