Dear Tony,
Your post and this thread inspired me to go looking (on the Web) for an Ideale catalog, but I have found none. Does anyone have an Ideale catalog, or know of a complete saddle-identification and reference source? I have a 1970s-vintage (?) Ideale alloy-framed saddle with a cutaway (Brooks Swift-like) leather top, probably a Model 89, which I had thought it was a 90 until you corrected me. Unfortunately, I have never seen any catalogs or product flyers that included this wonderfully-comfy (but currently unusable) saddle.
Thanks,
Jon
Jon Spangler Alameda, California USA hudsonspangler@earthlink.net
In the interests of pedantry, and to assist historians who will
be in
terrogating the C.R. archives in centuries to come, I think it might
be h
elpful to clarify matters regarding these 'late period' Ideale saddles.
The Model 92, which was available in both Gent's and Lady's
versions
, 'is often described...as a touring saddle' because that is what the
mak
ers called it; originally, I think, it was called 'la Touriste', be
fore adopting the 'Diagonale' designation in homage to a popular
Randonnee.
The Model 88 was quite specifically described by the makers as a
'low prof
ile racing saddle'.
To re-state the obvious, saddle preferences are an intensely
subjecti
ve matter, and I've no doubt that many 'happy campers' have toured on
88'
s - and there may well be some who've raced on 92's, as well?
Tony Colegrave, Northiam, East Sussex, U.K.