Saddle Development 1900s to 1940s Patents and Ads

[rustNspokes]

Brooks basically nailed the leather racing saddle design from the start. There isn't really much difference from a 1890 brooks b16 and something like the b17 that you can buy today.

 

[Miq]

True enough @rustNspokes !

Brooks site says John Boultbee Brooks' horse died and he bought a bike to ride instead. The bike saddle was so painful that he vowed to make a more comfortable one.

He was a prolific inventor! There are 111 results in Google patents for him.

From their site Brooks

 

[Miq]

Most excellent review of bicycle saddle designs from the early 19th century into the 50's MIq!
This Persons below has a neat nose spring coil design with three different solutions to the rear design of the seat. I am sure heavy.
I like it though as it is very moto. The Design in Fig 2. would have sported a total of 7 springs on the seat!

View attachment 1145185

Thanks @SKPC ! I love this design too. Almost every bolt hole is a slot that could be adjusted. This thing would have been a nightmare to dial in, but once you did...

 

[Miq]

Nice example of Troxel's bell shaped cup design in @zedsn 's ladies saddle. Bet that's comfy like @piercer_99 's Elgin's saddle.

 

[Miq]

In the early 1930's Mesinger started patenting designs incorporating a horizontal spring "mattress" style support system.
We've seen some of these "mattress" saddles on New World lightweights from the 40s.

@mr.cycleplane

@1motime

 

[GTs58]

Geeze, look at all those springs. :eek:

 

[IngoMike]

I would like to see a Crocodile saddle.....

 

[IngoMike]

Still waiting for a crocodile saddle to appear.....

 

[Miq]

How can you beat the comfort of blocky, rough, crocodile scales? The enviable owners, and their families, may never give them up. You will have to be patient and lucky.

 

[SoBayRon]

Great thread, @Miq. Helped me to identify a saddle and
I learned a lot just in the first read through. Thanks for the efforts!