Suggestions for white saddle to go on vintage Merckx build
 

Hey all --

Random question for you all, but curious to get your feedback.

Currently in the process of building up a mid-80's Merckx Corsa with Campy C-Record. Stoked on the build so far, but am having trouble figuring out what saddle and bartape to go with.

My current preference is to go with a white (or off-white) saddle w/ matching bartape, but it seems there aren't too many white saddle options out there to choose from.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a truly vintage saddle, but it'd be great if it had "vintage-ish" (aka classic) styling to fit with the rest of the build, so to speak.

Any recommendations? I'll be sure to share photos in the gallery section once it's all built up.

Thanks!

Turbo
Regal
Rolls

I like a white perforated rolls the best, maybe the best saddle ever

Original flite is great in white

SSM Regal

https://www.retro-gression.com/produ...RoCVmYQAvD_BwE

https://www.retro-gression.com/cdn/s...g?v=1638478806

I was coming here to post that one too! Nice choice.

Thanks all -- those are solid choices that I had been considering.

Only question I have -- which I know is entirely subjective -- is how comfortable are these older style Regal/Rolls/Flite saddles?

I've primarily ridden more racier, lightweight saddles with aggressive cutouts, short noses, etc and get along really well with those. Just curious if these older saddles leave something to be desired on the comfort front.

Somebody was selling a white San Marco in the classifieds a few days ago. Perforated white leather - looked sharp.

Haha yes I saw that one -- very nice. A bit more than what I was hoping to spend on a saddle for this build, but I am eyeing that one in case nothing else really stands out.

You know that is not a question anyone can answer for you.
Just buy a sort of junky one and ride it, you can pick up any of these for cheap in sort of medium condition.

These are all very different to most modern saddles so it might be rough. No way to answer this here though .

You tried cambium c-15? I feel like that is the oldest shape new saddle

I’ve had all three and I think the Rolls was the most comfortable with the Regal a close second. Really can’t go wrong with any choice of those options.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a Regal on my gravel bike. My trainer bike has a once-white Regal.

How comfortable are these older style Regal/Rolls saddles?
 

Not very, IMO.

The Flite was mod for it's day, but never got into it

Go for a mod saddle, if you ride it

When I went from a Rolls to an Fizik Aliante, my world changed

My vote modern Fizik Aliante R3 Open

I bought a Dave Moulton Recherche here that came with a white turbo saddle. It was pretty uncomfortable. I wound up buying a used bontrager Montrose here, which is pretty similar to ones I ride on my “regular” bikes, has some perforations that look turbo ish - feel like it has been a reasonable aesthetics vs comfort compromise. Top one is one I bought.

https://i.imgur.com/UnrYsmN_d.webp?m...fidelity=grand

Those old ones would look great on that Merckx but if you get one prepare for a shock when you pick it up; they are a good bit heavier than what you're used to using!

White Flite. Perforated if possible.

Blue Lug in Japan has them for reasonable prices, but I don't know how much shipping will be to get it to you.

Fabric Scoop
 

Fabric has a white non-leather top with black or white base. Steel or Ti rails are an option. I found the Radius model had a similar fit to classic saddles like the San Marco. Production of the white version ended, so you'll have to do some searching to find one