THE MESINGER SADDLE.
The Mesinger Saddle Company show by far the best model line yet made of this well-known make for 1898. It is softer, both in the back and on the pommel, than any of their previous styles, and softer on the pommel than any saddle ever shown by them. The reason for this is that the weaving of the rattan gives the strength, durability and elasticity, while, being wood fibre, it is not affected by water, and cannot stretch or sag. On this springy, but non-stretchable base is a cover of felt, over which is leather to waterproof it and give it a finished appearance. A V-shaped opening is cut in the centre of the cover, anatomically formed to relieve all injurious pressure, ventilate, prevent numbness, or any possible injury to the delicate parts of the body. The general shape of the saddle is made to conform to the anatomical requirements of the body, the ends of the pelvis bones being supported on the felt on each side of the anatomically shaped opening and the curves of the outer sides of the saddle conforming to the folds of the flesh naturally formed in pedalling.
“RUBBER NECK.”
The Mesinger people are now manufacturing a saddle with an upturned cantle, model H, which is an excellent specimen of this shape of saddle. They have not only obtained the desirable features of this style of saddle but have produced a very soft seat. The base is made of woven rattan, which cannot sag, and this saddle will always retain its shape. The rattan is woven in such a manner as to give a peculiar flexibility to the sides; presents a soft, yielding side surface to the leg when pedalling.
The Mesinger hygienic saddle is made with an outer finish like their regular saddle, but the base of this saddle, instead of rattan, is made of rawhide. The base is made of one continuous strip of rawhide, interwoven with leather, and passing through the wood cantle. The interweaving is made in such a manner that the weight of the body, resting upon the leather, always keeps the central strands tight and firm. The peculiar shape of their spring with its tension actually takes up any stretch. The saddle is light and of good appearance.
BERNASCO.
The principal points of the new Mesinger saddles are found in the new base, which consists of a very strong woven strap (web), specially made for this purpose, laced through the cantle and nose, and also a very strong and effective stretcher, by which the saddle can be made hard or soft, as desired by the rider, without removing the saddle from the bicycle. From a mechanical standpoint their saddles will recommend themselves everywhere; they are soft and pliable from the tip of the nose to the edge of the cantle, and having an anatomical shape there can be absolutely no pressure on the tender parts of the body. Some materials used in hygienic saddles are not pliable enough, others stretch out of shape. The woven strap which is used in the base of their saddles yields sufficiently and conforms to the body. Being seven-eighths of an inch wide it cannot show through the felt and leather cover, as narrow leather strips or other materials do after having been ridden for a length of time. They also make a padded saddle for racing on the plan of their regular saddles, with the exception that it has a concave wooden cantle.