Selle Italia’s new Mannequin X Leaf expands their eco-friendly and inexpensive Greentech saddle line-up with one other new look. However it’s the quietly launched new Novus Increase EVO Superflow that actually reinforces the concept the simplified, automated & totally made-in-Italy manufacturing course of might shake-up how Selle Italia makes saddles from the entry-level to excessive efficiency…
Selle Italia Mannequin X Leaf inexpensive eco bike saddle
The brand new spotlight of Selle Italia’s sustainable GreenTech made-in-Italy saddle manufacturing is the brand new Mannequin X Leaf. A easy replace to the Mannequin X Inexperienced that launched final spring, the one actual distinction is the brand new cowl that drops the delicate perforated look of the unique in favor of a brand new leaf-pattern to spotlight the ‘inexperienced’ character of the saddle.
Sustainable Saddle – Tech particulars
In reality, there’s a small technical change, as the brand new Selle Italia Mannequin X Leaf does add new anti-bacterial therapy integrated into the up to date padded prime.
The important thing environmentally-friendly manufacturing facet stays the identical – the saddle is “free from pollution” made with out dangerous adhesives or chemical resins. As an alternative the three particular person parts – metal alloy rails, bolstered plastic/composite shell & “whole gel” foam padding – are every co-molded on prime of each other. The mechanical connection between layers (with out glues) is a cleaner manufacturing course of and likewise means the saddle may be damaged aside on the finish of its life-cycle to be recycled.
Selle Italia even says that the entire further waste materials throughout manufacturing, will get recycled proper again into the subsequent batch of saddles.
The whole course of is quicker, extra automated, much less labor-intensive, and requires much less power. That makes the Greentech saddles cheaper to supply, and allowed Selle Italia to deliver their manufacturing again to Italy, additional decreasing the embodied power & environmental influence of their manufacturing. The whole patented manufacturing course of now happens inside a 15km circle from Selle Italia’s HQ.
The brand new Selle Italia Mannequin X Leaf is available in the identical waved-top, brief & broad L3 Increase form because the unique (145mm broad x 245mm lengthy) with a full-length SuperFlow cutout. It nonetheless weighs 315g with spherical metal rails making it a heavyweight in comparison with different efficiency highway saddles, however your pockets will probably be lighter with its $60 / 60€ pricetag.
Selle Italia Novus Increase Evo Superflow endurance saddle
Whereas the X line of saddles are specializing in selling sustainable saddle manufacturing, Selle Italia appears to have quietly began utilizing the identical tech for extra of their common saddle manufacturing. Late final fall they revamped their nearly 30-year-old Novus endurance highway efficiency saddle household with a brand new Novus Increase Evo line.
Novus Evo Tech particulars
Utilizing an analogous broad curved match to the Mannequin X, the 145x245mm L3 Novus Increase Evo seems to be to be nearly precisely the identical form. However what’s most notable is that the Novus Increase Evo is available in 4 spec ranges – with metal, tubular manganese, tubular ti, or full carbon rails and from 80-270€ value factors.
And that most cost-effective model – the Novus Increase Evo Superflow – makes use of the identical 3-piece mechanical building because the Greentech saddles (even when Selle Italia doesn’t hype it). And whereas the mid-spec saddles are made abroad, the entry-level is made in Italy with the brand new automated, eco-friendly manufacturing course of.
Most notably too, the 80€ Selle Italia Novus Increase Evo Superflow endurance saddle is simply 246g, presumably due to a extra superior composite base materials that seemingly isn’t as recyclable. It’s nonetheless not a superlight saddle, however at 69g much less it’s 22% lighter than the Mannequin X whereas utilizing a lot of the identical core know-how. And it’s nonetheless fairly low cost. Plus, it prices much less and is 19g lighter than the Asian-made model with manganese rails.
all pictures c. Selle Italia
Appears to be like like our prediction of extra inexpensive, made-in-Italy saddles from Selle Italia is coming true. And can seemingly develop at this inexpensive to mid-priced efficiency degree.
