Bikecology 1981 Catalog — Seats, Idéale, Concor and Brooks (Page 15)

— Page 15 —
SEATS

Ideale Seats

IDÉALE
THE CLASSIC!
“rodée main” selon Rebour

For those clients who prefer the classic feel, beauty, and value of genuine leather seats, we
recommend Ideale of France. These seats are one of the most labor intensive, traditionally made
products in our catalog. All of our models are made from Ideale’s finest grade cowhide of 5mm
uniform thickness. And, unlike some firms, we stock the special “hand treated” version exclusively.
The name “Rebour” engraved on each hide means a seat which is comfortable the first time you use
it. All models feature rich copper rivets and excellent chrome plating. We offer 5 popular models
to cover the full range of cycling. None are fitted with seat pack loops but they are available
separately.

Model 90
The classic general-purpose model. It measures 156 x 252 mm and is fitted with normal diameter
copper rivets. There are two versions: steel and aluminum.

90/Steel
Chromed steel rails. No clamp. The butt plate below the rear rivets is steel.
Natural tan leather 46-171-5
Black leather 46-181-4
$35.00 AW 563 gr/SW 2 lb 6 oz.

90/Aluminum
Completely unique undercarriage design consisting of built-in micro-adjusting clamp with shock
absorber spring and anti-spread device to eliminate excess flexing of the aluminum. But plate is
aluminum also. NOTE: This model must be mounted on plain tube seat posts exclusively.
Natural tan leather 46-201-0
Black leather 46-191-3
$39.00 AW 500 gr/SW 2 lb 2 oz.

SPRING SHOCK ABSORBER
ANTI-SPREADING CLAMP
MICRO-ADJUST DEVICE
ALUMINUM

Model 88 Racing – low profile
Completely new, low profile design. Narrower in mid section, and butt leather is flared away to
eliminate weight. Rides lower over rails than 90. Aluminum butt plate and double diameter copper
rivets. Steel rails. Sold without clamp. Black only.
AW 475gm/SW 2 lb.
46-221-8
$50.00

Model 92 Touriste Man
This is basically an oversized Model 90 designed for larger people. It measures 270 x 168mm and is
fitted with steel rails, steel butt plate, and normal rivets. Natural tan only
SW 2 1/2 lbs.
46-211-9
$40.00

Model 92 Touriste Lady
New this year to answer the demand of many women who want a female anatomy design in a classic
leather seat for touring. Same construction as above. Natural tan only.
46-215-0
SW 2 1/2 lbs.
$40.00

Genuine Ideale seat cover
Waterproof. SW 2 oz.
46-801-7
$2.50

Concor by San Marco of Italy
The revolutionary seat that’s taking over the European racing circuit.
The Concor was used by giants Hinault and Saronni and is standard on several top Italian racing
bikes, including Colnago. Its radical design is actually very comfortable and efficient despite its
light weight and minimal bulk. Made of molded nylon with very rich genuine leather covers.
SW 19 oz.

Concor Models
Steel rails
Black smooth 46-151-7 $33.00
Black suede 46-152-5 33.00
Magnesium alloy rails
Black smooth 46-156-6 39.00
Black suede 46-157-4 39.00
Special Concor Maxi model
Recommended for 6’2″— 210 lb range. Steel rails and black suede only.
46-158-2 35.00

Brooks Seats
So many riders are familiar with Brooks of England that we decided to expand the selection this
year. These models are considerably firmer and narrower than the comparable Ideale 88 and 90
models. They have practically zero flex! Both feature copper rivets, steel butt plates, treated
leather. Two popular models:

Professional
Normal diameter rivets and chromed rails. AW 532 gr/SW 2 1/2 lbs. Dark brown leather only.
$40.00 46-135-0

Professional Select
Same as above but fitted with extra large diameter copper rivets and black rails. Mounted in
beautiful gift box. Tin of Proofhide included. AW 540 gr/SW 2 1/2 lbs.
$50.00 46-125-1

Brooks proofide leather dressing
Restores, conditions, and preserves leather seats (not intended for suede & cowhide). Use on any
smooth leather! SW 3 oz.
46-811-6 $3.50
FOR FAST BREAK-IN!

Seat pack loops
Attach to seat rails. Chrome plated. Free freight.
08-051-5 $3.50

15

[One leaf, page 15, from the Bikecology mail-order catalog of 1981, headed SEATS. Bikecology was a
Californian mail-order house and this page is a dealer’s view of the saddle market at the moment it
turned over, which is what makes it worth holding.

Idéale gets the largest block and the warmest copy. Five models are stocked, the catalog buys only
the hand-treated version, and the Rebour name engraved in the hide is offered to the American
reader as a guarantee of comfort without breaking in. The Model 90 is sold in two undercarriages,
steel at 35 dollars and aluminum at 39, and the aluminum one is described in detail: a built-in
micro-adjusting clamp with a shock-absorber spring and an anti-spread device, with a warning that
it must go on a plain tube seat post. The Model 88 racing saddle at 50 dollars is the most
expensive Idéale on the page and is described as completely new.

Below it, in the same width of column, is the Concor by San Marco: molded nylon with a leather
cover, named as the seat taking over the European racing circuit, ridden by Hinault and Saronni,
standard on Colnago, from 33 dollars. The catalog is selling the thing that is about to displace
the thing above it, on the same page, and the price is lower.

To the right, Brooks is expanding its selection this year and is characterized as firmer and
narrower than the Idéale 88 and 90, with practically zero flex.

Three makers, one page, one year. The weights are given twice throughout, actual and shipping, and
every item carries a six-digit stock number.]