Always the same answer Fred. New technology (plastics) = new prices. The '60 Ron Kitching catalog write up about the <PLASTIC> saddle said it was way ahead of its time and things would never be the same, and ultimately they were correct in their hyperbole.
Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Benjamin: Yes, sir. Mr. McGuire: Are you listening? Benjamin: Yes, I am. Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
Chuck "now one word... Carbon" Schmidt South Pasadena, CA USA
On Jan 31, 2007, at 4:42 PM, Fred Rafael Rednor wrote:
> These things were more expensive that a Brooks B-17?
> Unbelievable! Did they come with a 50 gallon barrel of
> hemorrhoid cream? What else could account for those prices?
> Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)
>
>
> --- Chuck Schmidt <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> I found a lot of info in the Ron Kitching 1960 catalog on
>> Unicanitor
>> (referred to in the catalog as both Unica and Unica-Nitor)
>> saddle.
>> The saddle came out in 1959 and the '60 catalog mentions an
>> "improved
>> patented pillar" (steel, exceptionally narrow rail spacing
>> with cam
>> adjustment in top of post for seat angle).
>>
>> Also listed in the '60 catalog is a Unica-Nitor saddle "for
>> use with
>> the Campagnolo 1044 seat pillar, Ideale Special-Competition
>> saddle
>> clip, Vittoria seat pillar or any standard clip." Available
>> plain or
>> perforated in Black, Brown, Orange or Green, in Road or
>> Track."
>> Track version is described as "narrow section, more rounded."
>>
>> Quote from catalog, "NITOR nylon-plastic patented top is
>> moulded to
>> the saddle frame..." Which make me wonder, is the word
>> "Nitor"
>> Italian for, or the Italian trade name of, nylon-plastic???
>>
>> Here's prices from the catalog for comparison:
>> BROOKS -- B.17 "mod. Campagnolo" -- 42/6 Each
>> UNICA -- "Road" model, fits Campagnolo post -- 55/6 Each
>> UNICA -- "Track" model, as above, narrow section -- 55/6 Each
>> UNICA -- "Road" model, fits Unica pillar only -- 74/- Each
>> UNICA -- "Track" model, as above, narrow section -- 74/- Each
>>
>> None of these Unica saddles had any leather cover or padding,
>> "No
>> breaking-in required - the top provides a firm comfortable
>> seat
>> without that springy feeling that absorbs pedalling (sic)
>> power." It
>> has already been mentioned that most everyone found the
>> saddle, for
>> all but track use, to be slippery, hot and too hard, and it
>> wasn't
>> until the Cinelli versions in 1969/70 that the Unicanitor was
>> offered
>> with a leather cover and also a leather cover over foam
>> padding.
>>
>> Chuck Schmidt
>> South Pasadena, CA USA
>> http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>
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