About Ebykr
Ebykr celebrates classic and vintage lightweight bicycles through provoking imagery and opinion. Let's roll together!
| Model No. | Category | Top Material | Rail Material | Size | Weight | Technical Details & Notes |
| 1 / 1 Bis | Road | Leather (1st Choice) | Steel | 9.8″ x 7.1″ | Produced under Elaedy and Nortex brands; features 4 vertical springs. | |
| 2 | Comfort | Leather (Genuine) | Steel | 9.8″ x 6.1″ | “Mixte Maxi-Mousse”; features latex foam padding and two rear coil springs. | |
| 3 | Comfort | Skai / Mattress | Steel | 9.8″ x 6.1″ | “Mixte Maxi-Mousse”; features latex foam padding and two rear coil springs. | |
| 4 | Comfort | Leather (Croupon) | Steel (Zinc/Enamel) | 9.8″ x 7.5″ | 1lb. 9oz. (710g) | Men’s model; features two rear loop springs; also produced as “Norex”. |
| 5 | Sport | Leather | Steel | 11.1″ x 6.4″ | 1lb. 7oz. | “Club 5”; equipped with saddle bag loops. |
| 6 | Comfort | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 9″ x 7.5″ | 1lb. 9oz. (685g) | Women’s version of No. 4; features two rear loop springs. |
| 10 | Poids Lourd | Leather (Orné) | Steel | “Incroyable” model; features double rear springs on reinforced side rails. | ||
| 11 | Heavyweight | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 9″ x 7.8″ | Women’s version of No. 301; features double rear springs. | |
| 12 | Comfort | Supple Leather | Steel | Women’s model with “coussins” (cushions) on leather straps; double coils. | ||
| 13 | Comfort | Supple Leather | Steel | Similar to No. 12; features single points of attachment for cushions. | ||
| 14 | Comfort | English Leather | Steel | 9.8″ x 9″ | 2lbs. | “TB 14” women’s model; includes latex foam padding on a “sandows” suspension. |
| 15 | Comfort | Leather | Steel | Women’s model; cushions mounted on a metallic mattress base. | ||
| 20 | Heavyweight | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 9″ x 7.8″ | Women’s version of No. 103; double rear springs on reinforced rails. | |
| 22 | Mixte / Souple | Supple Leather | Steel | 8.8″ x 9″ | 1lb. 10oz. (730g) | Available in grey/maroon or blue; features luminescent (AR) back. |
| 24 | Dame | Leather (1st Choice) | Steel | 9″ x 7.8″ | Women’s model with compensating rear springs on reinforced rails. | |
| 27 | Junior | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 9″ x 5.1″ | 1lb. 3oz. (540g) | Junior boys racing model; available in black or natural. |
| 28 | Junior | Leather (Natural) | Steel | 8.2″ x 6.7″ | Mixte model; features a 2-wire frame and two rear loop springs. | |
| 29 | Junior | Leather | Steel | 7.5″ x 6.7″ | Junior girls model; features a 2-wire frame. | |
| 30 | Junior | Leather / Nortal | Steel | 8.75″ x 6.9″ | 1lb. 1.5oz. | “Garçonnet” model; features a 4-wire frame; available in Nortal plastic. |
| 31 | Junior | Leather | Steel | “Fillette” model; features a 4-wire frame. | ||
| 32 | Mixte | Leather | Steel | 9.1″ x 7.9″ | Features 4 rear loop springs and bag loops; available as Ideale-Dunlop. | |
| 36 | Dame | Leather (1st Choice) | Steel | 9.1″ x 7.9″ | Women’s model; features a reinforced 4-wire frame. | |
| 38 | Standard Sport | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 10.5″ x 6″ | 1lb. 6.5oz. | “Course 38”; features perforated sides and saddle bag loops. |
| 39 | Standard Sport | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 10″ x 5.5″ | 1lb. 6oz. (640g) | Features a cutaway nose and perforated wings; uses a No. 2 clip. |
| 41 | Sport | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 11.4″ x 6.1″ | 1lb. 7oz. | Long profile (29cm); available as Ideale-Dunlop; features 2-wire frame. |
| 42 | Record | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 11″ x 6″ | 1lb. 7.5oz. (645g) | “Record 42”; features saddle bag loops and black enamel finish. |
| 43 | Record | Leather | Steel | Notable for its removable wire spring and incised (rather than stamped) logo. | ||
| 44 | Course | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 11.4″ x 6.1″ | 1lb. 7oz. | Available with optional perforated wings and waterproof treatment. |
| 46 | Sport | Leather | Steel | 10.9″ x 5.6″ | 1lb. 10.5oz. | “Special 46”; features a removable wire spring and bag loops. |
| 48 | Professional | Leather | Duralumin | 10.75″ x 6″ | 1lb. 9oz. | Features a hollow center and four copper nose rivets on light alloy frame. |
| 50 | Course | Leather (1st Choice) | Steel (Flat-wire) | 11.4″ x 6.5″ | “Selle de course sur route”; uses flat-wire springs for high rigidity. | |
| 51 Record | Record | Oak Bark Leather | Steel | 10″ x 6″ | 1lb. 10.5oz. | Features a specialized cyclocross nose and removable wire spring. |
| 51 Prof. | Professional | Oak Bark Leather | Steel | 10″ x 6″ | 1lb. 12oz. | Features a “petit crantage” (small offset) on the cantle plate. |
| 52 Record | Record | Treated Leather | Steel | 11.25″ x 6″ | 1lb. 9.25oz. | Standard racing length (29cm); features large copper rivets. |
| 52 Prof. | Professional | Treated Leather | Steel | 11.25″ x 6″ | 1lb. 12oz. | Fully treated and waterproofed version of the No. 52 Record. |
| 54 | Ultra-Light | Oak Bark Leather | Duralumin | 11.4″ x 6.3″ | 1lb. 3.4oz. (550g) | “Course en Métal ultra-léger”; features full light alloy chassis and copper rivets. |
| 55 / 56 | Cyclo-Touriste | Natural Leather | Steel | 11.4″ x 6.3″ | Narrow touring model; No. 56 features torsaded (twisted) rear springs. | |
| 57 | Record | Treated Leather | Duralumin | 11.4″ x 6.3″ | 15.2oz. (430g) | “Critérium des Alpes”; features perforated wings and light alloy frame. |
| 58 | Record/Prof. | Treated Leather | Duralumin | 10″ x 6″ | 1lb. 5oz. | Duralumin frame version of No. 51; available with cyclocross nose. |
| 59 | Record/Prof. | Treated Leather | Duralumin | 11.25″ x 6.25″ | 1lb. 6.3oz. | Duralumin frame version of No. 52; features perforated wings. |
| 60 / 61 | Racing | Leather (Croupon) | Steel (Flat-wire) | 12.2″ (31cm) | Features two flat-wire springs; entirely demountable leather. | |
| 62 | Racing | Treated Leather | Steel | 12.2″ (31cm) | Longer version of No. 52; features a single point of attachment at the nose. | |
| 63 | Touring | Oak Bark Leather | Steel | 11.4″ x 5.9″ | “Chanteloup” type for Tandem/Cyclo-Tourisme; 4 English wire springs. | |
| 64 | Dame | Oak Bark Leather | Steel | 9.8″ x 7.1″ | Women’s touring model with “hawk nose” and English-style springs. | |
| 67 | Racing | Leather | Steel | 13″ x 6.5″ | Professional model noted for its extreme length. | |
| 70 | Heavyweight | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 7.8″ x 9.4″ | 6-wire frame with double rear twisted (torsadés) springs. | |
| 75 | Sport | Leather | Steel | 10″ x 6.3″ | 1lb. 8oz. | “Special 75”; features saddle bag loops. |
| 76 / 77 | Cyclo Tourist | Natural Leather | Steel | 10″ x 6″ | 2lbs. 5oz. | Touring model; 77 features a cyclocross/hawk nose. |
| 78 / 79 | Cyclo Tourist | Natural Leather | Steel | 11.4″ x 6.3″ | Narrow touring model; 79 features twisted rear springs. | |
| 80 Record | Sport | Extra Quality Top | Steel | 10.25″ x 5.75″ | 1lb. 8oz. (750g) | “Saddle back” shape with cambered back plate; 2-wire frame. |
| 80 Spec. | Professional | Treated Leather | Steel | 10.25″ x 5.75″ | 1lb. 8oz. | Professional version of No. 80; fully waterproofed and treated. |
| 80 Crit. | Racing | Treated Leather | Steel | 10.25″ x 5.25″ | 1lb. 7oz. | Features short nose and cutaway “swallow” sides. |
| 88 | Racing | Treated (Rebour) | Steel | 10.25″ x 5.9″ | 1lb. 1.6oz. (500g) | Low profile design with large diameter rivets; hand-broken by Rebour. |
| 89 | Racing | Treated (Rebour) | Steel | 10.5″ x 6″ | Same as No. 88 but with cutaway “swallow” sides. | |
| 90A | Professional | Oak Bark Leather | Steel | 10.5″ x 5.75″ | 1lb. 9oz. (720g) | Extra supple racing model; features large headed copper rivets. |
| 90CR | Professional | Treated (Rebour) | Steel | 10.5″ x 5.75″ | 1lb. 9oz. (735g) | “Rodée Main” model hand-treated according to Rebour’s methods. |
| 90-3 | Professional | Treated (Rebour) | Steel | 10.5″ x 5.75″ | 1lb. 10oz. (26oz) | Features 32mm wire spacing for specific seat posts. |
| 90-2 | Professional | Treated (Rebour) | Steel | 10.5″ x 5.75″ | 1lb. 9oz. (25oz) | Standard version of 90-3 with 38mm wire spacing. |
| 90IR / 90R | Professional | Treated (Rebour) | Duralumin | 10.5″ x 5.75″ | 1lb. 1.5oz. (500g) | Lightest leather racing saddle; light alloy chassis and micro-adjust clip. |
| 91 | Racing | Treated Leather | Steel | 1lb. 8oz. (24oz) | “Swallow Type” with deep cutaway sides for greater leg freedom. | |
| 92 | Touring | Treated (Rebour) | Steel | 10.6″ x 6.7″ | 1lb. 7oz. (750g) | “Diagonale”; features a 2cm wider cantle plate than the No. 90. |
| 103 | Heavyweight | Leather (Extra) | Steel | 11.4″ x 8.25″ | “Touriste très souple”; double rear springs on reinforced side rails. | |
| 110 | Road Luxe | Leather (1st Choice) | Steel | 10″ x 7.5″ | Features 4 vertical springs; entirely demountable leather. | |
| 130 | Junior | Leather | Steel | 8.8″ x 6″ | 13oz. | Junior boys model; features a 2-wire English-style frame. |
| 134 | Junior | Leather (1st Choice) | Steel (Chrome) | 7.1″ x 5.9″ | Junior model with large copper rivets and chrome frame. | |
| 137 | Road (Dame) | Leather (Extra) | Steel | 9.9″ x 8.4″ | “Grand luxe large”; features reinforced springs and extra-choice leather. | |
| 145 | Racing | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 12.2″ x 5.7″ | “Piste” model; features a long, narrow racing profile. | |
| 204 | Road Luxe | Leather (1st Choice) | Steel | 11″ x 8.3″ | “Route luxe large”; featured in luxury road catalogs. | |
| 301 | Heavyweight | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 9.75″ x 7.75″ | 2lbs. 13.8oz. | Features 2 front loop springs and 2 rear coil springs. |
| 303 / 304 | Heavyweight | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 10.25″ x 8.7″ | 3lbs. 8.5oz. | Poids Lourd model with large compensating springs working in traction. |
| 310 / 315 | Motor-Bicycle | Supple Leather | Steel | 11″ x 8.6″ | 2.8lbs. (1.28kg) | Designed for “Velo-Moteur” use; features heavy-duty multi-wire arrays. |
| 320 / 325 | Heavyweight | Leather (Croupon) | Steel | 11″ x 8.6″ | 3.8lbs. (1.75kg) | Extreme duty model with rear springs working in traction. |
| 2000 | Performance | Rislan | Steel | 10.75″ x 6″ | 1lb. (450g) | Standard plastic racing model; modern aesthetic with No. 2 clip. |
| 2001 | Performance | Rislan + Leather | Steel | 10.75″ x 6″ | 1lb. 1.3oz. (490g) | High-finish model; Rislan top covered in first quality black skin. |
| 2002 | Performance | Rislan + Leather | Steel | 10.75″ x 6″ | 1lb. 1.3oz. | Features an interlayer of real latex foam between top and cover. |
| 2003 | Performance | Rislan + Leather | Titanium | 10.75″ x 6″ | 1lb. 3.8oz. (560g) | Grand Luxe chrome version; available in natural, suede, or plaid. |
| 2004 | Performance | Rislan + Leather | Titanium | 10.6″ x 5.9″ | 15.2oz. (433g) | “La Randonneuse”; features latex foam; 645g with steel / 425g with titanium. |
| Profil TB1 | Performance | Rislan + Leather | Steel | 10.6″ x 5.9″ | Last original model; “haute couture” skin; designed parallel to top tube. | |
| Texto-Gom 1 | Racing | Rubber/Fabric | Steel | 13″ (33cm) | Rubberized racing model; “indéformable” and weather resistant. | |
| Dunlop 110 | Road | Dunlop Rubber | Steel | 10.2″ x 7.9″ | Weatherproof rubber top mounted on luxe road fittings. | |
| F400 | Motorcycle | Dunlop Rubber | Steel | 13.7″ x 13.3″ | Heavy-duty motorcycle saddle with 3-point attachment. |
Notes:
Sizes and weights of some models change slightly over catalog entries, generally getting narrower and lighter with time (e.g., Nos. 80, 90). Sizes and weights above are from their first available catalog entry.
Idéale Saddle Clip Guide:
No. 1: Original two wire clip
No. 2: Standard 38mm, two wire clip, chrome steel, reinforcing liner
No. 3: Special Competition model, micro-adjustable
No. 4: Same as No. 3, aluminum, for 90CR Duralumin saddle Idéale
Catalogs and References:
1931 – Rexor, France; page 101, “Selles”
1955 – Ron Kitching, England; one page; specialty distribution, “Idéale : The Continent’s Finest Saddle”
1963 – Ron Kitching, England; four pages; catalog distribution
1969 – Idéale, France; one page; specialty distribution
1970 – Ron Kitching, England; three pages; catalog distribution
1970s – Idéale, France; four pages; catalog distribution
1974 – Gene Portuesi’s CycloPedia, United States; eleventh edition; page 39
1979 – Ron Kitching, England; two pages; catalog distribution
1981 – Ron Kitching, England; one page; catalog distribution
1981 – Bikecology, United States; catalog distribution; page 15, “Seats”
Special Thanks:
Robert Broderick
Dale Brown at Classic Rendezvous
Satoru Masuda
Chuck Schmidt at Velo-Retro
[…] Model Guide: Idéale Saddles and Clips […]
[…] Model Guide: Idéale Saddles and Clips […]
I have an Ideale 145 saddle. Have been able to find no mention of this model anywhere. It is 12 inches in length and 5 inches wide if the framework was ever chromed all traces are gone, I rather think it was originally painted. The next time I have it off the bike I will put it on the scale.
Hello — I just purchased an Ideale 90 Speciale Competition TITANIUM. The saddle has “rodie main selon Rebour” imprinted on the leather top. It’s black leather with 6 copper rivets on the back and 3 on the front. Also, one of the rivet tops is missing — can you give me a good recomendation as to who can replace this rivet for me? Do you have any information on these saddles? I don’t see them listed on your site. Since I’ve only seen one other, I’m assuming that these were pretty rare. Thanks!
Eric,
Are you still adding updates to the info on the Ideale saddles? I have a good amount of missing information that can help make this more complete.
Jay
Great and useful site you have here. On the 43, there appear to be quite a few variants, the constant being the removable frame or “spring”. I have an ealy “incised” rather than stamped 43 with no drilling ot lateral holes. I date it late 40’s. Pictured on my site on the NOIB SC page (some pics show the bike with a battered old generic, but the 43 is easy enough to recognize).
Best
Nick
Hi Leonardo,
The saddle you point out appears to be authentic.
It is also possible my database has gaps or errors.
In what ways is the description here different from the auction listing?
Cheers,
Eric
hello – do you think that this one on ebay is an original ideale or some kind of ‘clone’? It is said to be a 75, but it doesn’t correspond to your description…
http://cgi.ebay.it/IDEALE-75-Sattel-Brooks-Look-Leder-schwarz-Antik-Look_W0QQitemZ320155854340QQihZ011QQcategoryZ15529QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
regards, and many thanks for your useful site
Hello John,
Thank you for your interest in Ebykr.
Yes, please do provide pictures and any other relevant data on your Ideale 43. Feel free to send them to “ericinsf” “at” “excite” “dot” “com”.
We would be happy to update our records to reflect your contributions.
Regards,
Eric
Good day. I just received shipment of a bicycle equipped with a model 43 Ideale saddle. I am not certain of the formatting you are using on the page, so it is difficult for me to tell where the description of the Model 42 ends, and the 43 begins, but it appears that either there is no description of the Model 43, or the description doesn’t match the saddle that I have. I would be happy to provide you with pictures of the saddle – which is in quite good condition considering it seems to date from the 1950’s (my guess based on the vintage of the bicycle it is on). It also seems you don’t have a weight for the model 43. I could provide this for you also if you are interested.
Thank you, for the lovely web site, and for your attention.
John Barry
Hi Eric!!
Nice pics of my bikes here!!
My 1958 Goeland randonneur is ready to run! would you like pics!?
All the best! and congratulations for the nice site!
Stan
Hi All,
Hope you find the Idéale model guide useful.
Feel free to forward any information that is missing or needing correction.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Cheers,
Eric