Back then: Drais got things rolling in 1817
The Baden inventor Karl von Drais equipped his running machine without a pedal crank, but with a practical bench seat. Incidentally, the bicycle was invented back then as a replacement for the horse. So it's no wonder that the term "steel steed" has become synonymous with the bicycle. The saddles of the first draisines were mounted as an elongated bench seat on the central longitudinal beam, similar to a horse's back. However, this archaic undercarriage offered only rudimentary comfort on the unsprung vehicle equipped with wooden wheels.
1878: the first real saddle
The idea of a bicycle saddle, as we know it today, was probably born out of the experience that the bicycle was becoming increasingly popular and people were travelling longer and longer distances with it. Long journeys, bumpy roads, uncomfortable wooden or steel benches - that was a painful combination in the long run. Towards the end of the 19th century, John Boultbee Brooks took pity on his tormented and ever-growing clientele of cyclists. In his father's stable in 1878, he worked on the first prototype made of core leather with a steel frame. The construction ensured that the saddle cover could swing freely, thus keeping vibrations and pain away from the rider. This led to the first patent application in 1882, and the leather saddle quickly became the standard due to its significantly greater comfort. It was not until many years later, from the 1960s onwards, that other materials such as plastic and PU foam found their way into saddle production.
Features
- Saddle cover material: genuine core leather
- Weight: over 700 grams
- Seat stays: Steel
Today: comfort wonders thanks to high-tech
Chemical giant BASF and ergonomics specialist SQlab join forces in the search for more comfort and cushioning while keeping the weight low. A special memory foam is used in a saddle for the first time in 2017. What has worked for running shoes for some time is now also being used in saddles. The special thing about the viscoelastic material is its ability to adapt to the sit bones and at the same time filter out bumps in the road. Light and spherical like polystyrene, shock-absorbing like foam and resilient like rubber.
But the saddle produced in Germany offers more than just comfort. Thanks to the so-called ClipOn technology from SQlab the saddle adapts to the rider's needs in no time at all. Various saddle covers can be attached to a single saddle base. Saddle widths and shapes can be selected to suit the rider's anatomy and riding style. In addition, the floating mounting of the saddle rails ensures better adaptation to the pedalling movement and mobilisation of the intervertebral discs.
Features
- Saddle cover material: Infinergy foam
- Seat stays: Steel
- ClipOn saddle cover interchangeable
- Active technology to support the pedalling motion
- Weight: from 299 grams
- Price: 199,95 Euro
With the support of SQlab
