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EICMA show -
Milan, Italy, September 15-18, 2006
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Part 11 - September 15-18:
Sweet Saddles: Selle Italia & Fi'zi:k Selle Italia Takes Flite Again
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By Tim Maloney at EICMA in Milan, Italy
Selle Italia introduced the then revolutionary Flite saddle back in 1990 and it was immediately a huge success. 16 years later, Selle Italia's Steven Merlini told Cyclingnews that; "we thought it was time for a new Flite and after a lot of testing, we are introducing a completely new version." Selle Italia told us that over the years the Flite has been the saddle that has been copied the most, so starting with this year's Selle Italia range not only will the specific technology of saddles like the Yutaak, Signo and Thoork be patented but the actual shape of each model will also be covered by a design patent. The new Flite keeps it's distinctive snub nose look, but has a cut-off rear and is available in five colours and four versions; Flite (180g) Flite Kit Carbonio (140g), Flite Genuine Gel and Gel Flow (220g).
Selle Italia's C30 has integrated rails and weighs an incredible 30 grams thanks to variable thickness, double weave carbon fibre shell and was designed by Mark Paroly of New York's Design House. The futuristic CX Zero was a show prototype a few years ago and features a monocoque carbon shell with integrated rails. In pure carbon, CX Zero weighs only 75g, while the Teknologika version with 10g of padding is just 85g.
Selle Italia's SLR was introduced in 2000 and has been a very popular model in the pro peloton. Offered in an incredible 11 different versions, the new SLR Teknologika Flow has a carbon fibre shell and rails with a frosting of padding and Selle Italia's Gel Flow technology; the lightest saddle (120g) on the market with a central cut-out section to relieve saddle pressure.
Another design study on show at Selle Italia was created by Japan's Tamashi Yamamoto and is called "Bill Hook" - 250 grams with an integrated seatpost that has an integrated suspension system.
New k:1 From Fi'zi:k: Fi'zi:k has gone one step beyond their popular Arione with their new k:1 model. At 149 grams, 50 less than Arione Carbon, the unique look of the k:1 enrobes a gel layer over an underlying carbon fibre base like a candy bar. k:1's top is mated to a woven carbon outer tubes with unidirectional fibers inside called Mobius Braided C4 circular rails. Another new model from Fi'zi:k is the Flash, a cool looking MTB saddle for 4-Cross with stout steel rails and a Meryl 'techno' cover with integrated scuff guards. Last year, Fi'zi:k introduced an innovative freeride saddle called Freek that was a freekin' success, so the Pozzoleone, Italy saddle makers have now launched Freek wear, a freeride inspired clothing line with various shirts, baggy denim pants, outer wind shell and Freek hat.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews.com
- Flight Of Flites: New and improved Flite from Selle Italia
- Hole in the heart: Selle Italia's new SLR Teknolgika Flow
- Only thirty grams? Selle Italia's C30 prototype saddle
- Hook 'em: Selle Italia's prototype Billhook saddle with integrated suspension
- Carbon Candy: Fi'zi:k's light new k:1 saddle
- Flashy Fi'zi:k: For 4-Cross and freeride, Fi'zi:k:'s new Flash
