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Description
One Of The Greatest Designs In The History Of Bicycle Saddles
Selle Italia's classic Flite saddle has won more victories than any other saddle in the company's long history. When it was introduced in 1990, it was one of the first lightweight performance saddles on the market, the forerunner of today's racing saddles. This is that same saddle, re-released in celebration of Selle Italia's legacy.
The 1990s Selle Italia Flite was revolutionary due to its low weight, flatter shape, and dense but thin padding.
These were crucial at the time for the following reasons:
First of all, with a weight in the low 200-gram range, the Flite was lighter than any other on the market in the 90s. For riders who need every watt to count, this saddle meant that they were watts closer to the podium.
Second, many riders found the flatter shape of the saddle to be more supportive and a better fit for aggressive riding. Getting aero in some saddles just simply isn't comfortable, and the Flite solved this issue.
Third, the titanium rails incorporated on the original model also allowed for flex and absorbed shock better than previous materials used.
Fourth, the dense but thin padding was more comfortable than the much heavier and over-padded saddles that were the standard in the 90s. The padding is firm, but it's also supportive and doesn't promote friction and heat build-up.
In addition to comfort and low weight, the Selle Italia Flite featured an attractive new look — low profile and svelte compared to other saddles of the day.
Unfortunately, in 2006-07 Selle Italia 'updated' the design and sopped producing the 1990s Flite. While some riders liked the new Flite design many preferred the aesthetics, shape, and comfort of the original. Many people sought the original 1990s Flite saddles and complained to Selle Italia. They heard the desires of their long-term fans and re-released the beloved 1990s Selle Italia Flite.
If you are looking for a saddle that has stood the test of time and taken more riders across the finish line than any other saddle to date, get the original Flite.
Features
- Breathable full-grain leather cover.
- Flatter shape for more aggressive riding
- Titanium rails provide flex and shock absorbtion
- Dense but thin saddle padding to prevent friction and heat build-up
- Shell: 90% nylon / 10% carbon at the nose
- Width: 146mm, Length: 280mm
- 220 grams
B-Stock - This product has one or more B-Stock units available. These units can be purchased at a discount (see option select). B-Stock units were returned from other customers and may have missing or damaged packaging materials. Saddle rails may have minor scratches. These units are otherwise as new. The full manufacturer warranty applies. Click Here for more information.
Specifications
Rail Material: Titanium | |
Shell Material: 10 Percent Carbon | |
Cover Material: Breathable Full-Grain Leather | |
Width: 146 mm | |
Length: 280 mm | |
W 146 x L 280 mm - Titanium Rails, Black | Mfg PartNum: 016A0010QC003 |
Reviews
Many of us thought Selle Italia downgraded the Flite with it's most recent design. Thankfully, the original has been reintroduced. At 200g it's everything you need, nothing you don't.
I put a Selle Italia Flite on my Pinarello in 1993 and have replaced every worn Flite with a new Flite. I have tried the latest and greatest every time the Big New Thing appears and it�s usually a couple weeks and the new comes off and the Flite goes back on. Thirty years of excellence!! why change now?
I bought mine in 1992, and I still use it on my 1991 Colnago commuting bike. Most of the other components are new, but I wanted to keep some vintage parts. This saddle has outlasted many other saddles on other bikes, although it has lost a lot of the black color. It's tough, and I've even crashed it a couple times with little evidence of being scraped on the pavement. I've used it on long rides, many over 100 miles, and it's comfortable, except for the fact that that it's round, and round saddles tend to smash delicate tissue and cut off blood flow, which leads to seriously numb parts. Every person is different, so this won't be a problem for some people, but I took it off my road bike years ago and got a saddle with a channel, and it made a world of difference. This saddle is absolutely perfect for my commuter, but I wouldn't use it on a century. I'll probably dye it black again and ride it till I retire.
I got one of these years and years ago when they were new. I still have it and it is in super shape. Still looks cool, super light weight. I got it in my late 20s it worked for me just fine. I could ride forever on it, no issue. I'm 52 now and I cant ride this seat at all. Its like ridding a baseball bat or something. Sorry, not for me. I wish I could get along with it again. It might work for you. My son has it on his mountain bike now, so it lives on.
I've been riding this model for the 25 years I've had my Serotta Legend Ti (my forever bike); did 5,000 miles last year, and a century a week or so ago. I've figured out how to replace the leather when it wears out, so for about $10 for some quality leather from a local cobbler I get a good-as-new saddle. Just did this yesterday, as a matter of fact!
I bought my first Flite saddle way back when they first came out. I was skeptical, but it was far more comfy than the Rolls or Turbo saddles I'd had on my bikes at the time.
Since then I've tried plenty of other saddles- Most recently Fabric, Bontrager and a couple of Aspide models, and keep coming back to the classic Flite. It simply works the best for me.
Fits my rear end nicely. I am newly back into cycling in my early 50's. This saddle reminds me of the saddle on my steel framed Trek I rode back in the late 80's and 90's. I am very pleased with my purchase.
It's a great saddle. Comfortable for long rides (I've done a few 50 mile rides with it).
I guess I'm someone that would benefit from a cut out saddle though because I felt some pressure on my you know what.
Either way though, after a few rides, the pressure stopped bothering mewent away.
Like many others I've ridden with the Flite since the 90's. Went through two of them back in the day and when it was brought back I immediately ordered one for my mountain bike. Have since added another for my gravel bike. Shape and smooth leather finish allow me to move around on saddle, nose doesn't hook my shorts, light weight, and great looks. Big upgrade from most stock spec saddles.
I replaced the stock Selle Italia saddle on my '85 Univega Gran Sprint to a Selle Italia Flight 1990 saddle. Although a little pricey, the Selle Italia Flight 1990 saddle is far more comfortable than the stock saddle both in just sitting on and while riding. Because of the slender shape, you would think it would be uncomfortable, but it is 'almost' like sitting in your rocking chair! The narrow shape of the Flight saddle does not chafe your thighs while ridding either. The total length of the Flight is almost 3.5 cm longer than the stock saddle and allows you to move to different positions while riding. In addition, the rail length for attaching the Flight saddle to the seat post is 8 cm vs 6.5 cm for the stock saddle. This also gives you more flexibility in positioning your saddle. The Flight saddle also gives my bike a more vintage look. I would definitely buy again!
This saddle is a keeper. Its a 30 year old design that is as light and functional as any of the latest saddles.
I like a flatter saddle with room to move around. The smooth leather, and medium size let me do that easily.
Great saddle!
Feels great, looks great, and reminds me of when I started mtn biking in the 90s - everyone had these then and they're still in style. Thanks for bringing them back!
The Flight Titanium is the Grand Daddy of them all. Since the '90's all manner of competitive models have tried to replicate this 'near perfect' design. Ergonomic, light, comfortable and perfect for road, crit and climbing, the original still thrives. I bought my first one over 22 years ago and put easily 100K miles on it. That tells you something right there. Finally it was literally falling apart and I was delighted to find it on BikeTiresDirect.com again. As a former racer and current 'old fat guy' who can't get in enough miles, all I can say is I'm on my way to another 20 years on this bad boy God willing. Give it a ride and you'll be hooked too.
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