SUNDRY OTHER MAKERS.
The “Stylish Gordon” saddle, made by the Beckley-Ralston Co., Chicago, is one that has made a reputation for itself during the past two seasons. It is a well-made saddle and has a racy appearance, with no edges to pedal over or retard the circulation in long distance riding. The same dish that gives the racing man a brace affords in solid comfort models rooms for a thick sanitary felt padding. The Gordon has a steel base covered with felt and leather, and this steel base (which was made from a master plate) was the result of long experiment, to produce a perfect model, nearly fifty hand-made models being rejected before one that was considered perfect was produced. The Perry Pneumatic saddle was placed on the market last year. It was one of the first to combine anatomical formation with the added feature of a pneumatic air cushion. One of its peculiarities is that it can be ridden deflated as well as inflated. The saddle is constructed by placing upon a steel plate, which is covered with a layer of felt to prevent friction, an inflated rubber air cushion, the whole being covered with leather above and below sewed together by hand.
| GILLIAM FRAME. | GILLIAM. |
The Phillips Hammock saddle has the base made of linen cord covered with leather. This cord of course is not of unyielding texture, and therefore conforms to the movements of the rider and the bicycle. It permits an easy oscillating motion corresponding to the natural action of the limbs in pedalling. This saddle presents somewhat peculiar features in construction. Instead of the cantle being round as in the usual saddle construction the back of the saddle is perfectly square or straight. It is made entirely without rivets or screws and the leather portion of the saddle only extends about two-thirds of the distance between the pommel and the cantle. The base is made of one continuous cord looped to the pommel and cantle, a sliding loop changing the shape or width of the saddle to the liking of the rider without the use of any tools. The adjusting of the rods forming a universal joint at the centre of the cantle is one of the peculiar features of this invention. It is also to be noted that each cord on the top of the saddle has a return strand beneath with a free motion over to the cantle, so that the extent of the saddle’s flexibility is measured by twice its length.
The [Safety Poise Saddle] is the invention of Dr. Otis K. Newell of Boston. The perineal or middle flesh pressure is entirely eliminated by its use. It is the only open frame saddle in the market, and the cut gives an excellent idea of its construction. They show a new model for 1898, which is about two-thirds of the size of the regular pattern, and is constructed so that the rider sits more on the saddle than in it. This change has been made so that the rider at once accustoms himself to the saddle.
The makers of the Rusch have departed entirely from the idea of using for the foundation of a saddle a metal or wooden base, and construct the base of their saddles of specially prepared oak tanned leather. It has an indentation in the centre which is one of their patented mechanical features. This centre depression is sufficiently deep to prevent irritation and allows the use of sloping sides. The cantle is so placed under the body of the saddle that it is almost impossible to strike against it either in mounting or in pedaling.
The [Bernasco Adjustable Saddle] is built in two parts, so that it is adjustable to the form of all riders.
The [Tillinghast Hygienic saddle] has a continuous open frame work of bent ash, on top of which are fastened leather straps covered with a padded leather top.
The P. & F. Anatomical saddle has a rigid base covered all over, in the pommel of which is constructed a mechanical pneumatic device which does not require any valves, and cannot get punctured. It gives the effect of a full pneumatic construction without using a depressed pommel or raised pads.
The [La Tulip saddle] is made wholly of raw hide, which the makers claim will not stretch or sag; also that it weighs less than one pound. It is made on some new ideas of anatomical construction. The “[Rubber Neck]” saddle has a steel base covered with a rubber cushion in the shape of vertical rubber tubes forming a honeycomb which yields to every motion. This honeycomb also produces air spaces or cells extending from the plate to the cover, which keep the saddle cool and thoroughly ventilated.
The Bunker Pneumatic saddle is similar in shape to a flattened crescent, and is used transversely to the frame. A variation of it is somewhat of the regulation shape, and is provided with a yielding rubber cushion an inch thick over its entire surface, having at each side of the centre a depression to receive the pelvis bones, and an opening from the centre to the front to relieve all pressure. They also make a pneumatic saddle which is open in the centre, the whole construction being only a rim which is inflated.
The Glover Perfection Saddle has a platform of crucible steel so shaped and coiled that a diamond-shaped opening is left in the central and front parts of the saddle, thus preventing any pressure at these points and also affording proper ventilation. Instead of having a horn or protuberance in front to bump against the Glover saddle drops away from the plane on which the rider sits, making it impossible to strike it in riding. The Glover saddle can also be ridden without tilting it up at an angle. The springs are reversible, and the leather cover is easily removable. The coiled steel platform is padded with felt. This saddle was designed by a physician who has long been an enthusiastic wheelman.