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.
THE GARFORD SADDLES.
GARFORD—“128.”
The Garford Manufacturing Company show seven models of padded saddles, furnished with various styles of pads and springs. Their leading saddle this year is one known as the “Cavalry.” It has a wood base which is finished with shellac and varnish and the rear part covered with leather, corresponding with the top. The top has raised pads, with a decided upward curve at the rear. The pommel drops over from the front edge of the pads, giving a very racy appearance. This is made with either a plain flat spring, or a spring with two rear coils. The women’s model is about one inch shorter in the pommel. Their hygienic saddle is made with raw hide strands from the pommel to the wooden cantle in the rear, and has an adjustment so arranged as to permit tightening of the strands alone, or the strands and the leather top together. The top is made of two thicknesses of leather with felt between, and has a large opening in the centre. Another one of their models has a wood base somewhat similar to their Cavalry saddle, but the curve of the saddle from the front to the rear somewhat resembles the T or Truss saddle made by this company during the past four years, which was one of the most popular saddles ever made. This new model has a padded top, the pad extending to the top of the pommel, and having a deep impression in the centre opening out at the back, thus forming two raised pads at the rear.
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