The answer to Matthew Bowne's search may be implicit in his message (below). Susan and I rode many thousands of tandem miles from the late 60s through the early 90s. We helped organize two Eastern Tandem Rallies, and attended many others, so we saw hundreds or thousands of tandems In The Day. I assure you that saddles were discussed, evaluated, and argued about over many a beer through many a night. But, the focus was always on the search for a saddle that Beloved Stoker would find acceptable, so she would continue enjoying the ride. Any saddle, whatever. Wide, narrow, slotted, pink, we didn't care. It never crossed my mind that the tandem should have matching or even color-coordinated saddles. Matching jerseys and shorts, matching handlebar tape, all "de rigeur." But saddles were too important. Besides, when you're riding, you can't see the saddle. :-)
So, if matching looks matter, get an extra stoker seatpost and saddle to match what you like up front. Use the matching set for when the bike's on display, and ride with what works. Changing saddle and post together shouldn't take more than a minute, eh?
Tandeming had two rules: 1) The stoker is always right. 2) See rule #1.
harvey sachs mcLean va +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Matthew Bowne wrote: First off, thanks to all who responded to my post regarding the appropriate saddle for a '82 3Rensho build. I am happy to hear that most were sold as framesets and were typically found outfitted with any one of a number of fashionable saddles of the era. What I failed to mention is, the bike is actually a tandem and I will be looking for a pair of saddles. Depending on what comes up, I have a number of options... But just in case some of you are looking to clear some room in the parts bins, I am looking for some combination of the following:
- BLUE Turbo in good/new condition . Smooth leather. (2 of 'em) - Avocet "Racing" saddle. Black smooth leather. Good/new condition (for me) - Avocet "Touring" saddle. Black smooth leather. Good/new condition (for my stoker/girlfriend) - Cinelli saddle in blue suede
And while I am asking, it couldn't hurt to see if anyone has a perforated Assos saddle kicking around... I could use a pair of Campy road quill pedals (black alloy cages) too, since we are on the subject. Please contact me if you have any of this stuff available for sale!