Selle Italia’s new Model X Leaf expands their eco-friendly and inexpensive Greentech saddle line-up with one other new look. But it’s the quietly launched new Novus Boost EVO Superflow that basically reinforces the concept that the simplified, automated & solely made-in-Italy manufacturing course of might shake-up how Selle Italia makes saddles from the entry-level to excessive efficiency…
Selle Italia Model X Leaf inexpensive eco bike saddle
The new spotlight of Selle Italia’s sustainable GreenTech made-in-Italy saddle manufacturing is the brand new Model X Leaf. A easy replace to the Model X Green that launched final spring, the one actual distinction is the brand new cowl that drops the refined perforated look of the unique in favor of a brand new leaf-pattern to focus on the ‘green’ character of the saddle.
Sustainable Saddle – Tech particulars
In reality, there’s a small technical change, as the brand new Selle Italia Model X Leaf does add new anti-bacterial therapy included into the up to date padded prime.
The key environmentally-friendly manufacturing facet stays the identical – the saddle is “free from pollutants” made with out dangerous adhesives or chemical resins. Instead the three particular person parts – metal alloy rails, strengthened plastic/composite shell & “total 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 could 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, more automated, much less labor-intensive, and requires much less vitality. That makes the Greentech saddles cheaper to provide, and allowed Selle Italia to deliver their manufacturing again to Italy, additional decreasing the embodied vitality & environmental affect of their manufacturing. The whole patented manufacturing course of now happens inside a 15km circle from Selle Italia’s HQ.
The new Selle Italia Model X Leaf is available in the identical waved-top, quick & vast L3 Boost form because the original (145mm vast 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 street saddles, however your pockets will likely be lighter with its $60 / 60€ pricetag.
Selle Italia Novus Boost Evo Superflow endurance saddle
While the X line of saddles are specializing in selling sustainable saddle manufacturing, Selle Italia appears to have quietly began utilizing the identical tech for more of their common saddle manufacturing. Late final fall they revamped their virtually 30-year-old Novus endurance street efficiency saddle household with a brand new Novus Boost Evo line.
Novus Evo Tech particulars
Using an analogous vast curved match to the Model X, the 145x245mm L3 Novus Boost Evo appears to be virtually precisely the identical form. But what’s most notable is that the Novus Boost Evo is available in 4 spec ranges – with metal, tubular manganese, tubular ti, or full carbon rails and from 80-270€ worth factors.
And that most cost-effective model – the Novus Boost Evo Superflow – makes use of the identical 3-piece mechanical development 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 Boost Evo Superflow endurance saddle is simply 246g, presumably due to a more superior composite base materials that possible isn’t as recyclable. It’s nonetheless not a superlight saddle, however at 69g much less it’s 22% lighter than the Model X whereas utilizing a lot of the identical core expertise. 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 photographs c. Selle Italia
Looks like our prediction of more affordable, made-in-Italy saddles from Selle Italia is coming true. And will possible broaden at this inexpensive to mid-priced efficiency degree.
