| Product Description:
Listing Update...I realize the discounted price on these saddles make them a fairly good deal, but high shipping costs offset that value. As a result, I'll include a quantity of two (2) saddles in the listing to make the shipping cost per unit more reasonable (assuming you buy both saddles of course). I realize only one saddle is pictured, and those pictures reflect the next saddle that will sell/ship. Although, if you buy two (2) of them, then I promise the second one will be in similar cosmetic condition.
Original Listing...
This offering is for a new-old-stock Viscount "Waveflo Professional" saddle with a smooth genuine leather black cover and blue accents. I would describe the cosmetic design or appearance of the saddle as having a mostly racing style or look. Although the back half of the saddle is possibly a little wider and the side profile is likely taller than many of the racing saddles we note in today's market (see overall dimensions below). Maybe said another way, this saddle would have an even wider (almost touring-like) platform, but the back half of the saddle shell is "rounded" or "curved" in such a way that the edges of the saddle shell extend below the saddle rails...which narrows the overall dimensions and makes for more of a racing look...while also creating this taller side profile. I understand the manufacturer has labeled the saddle as a professional saddle, but I don't believe this labeling is 100% accurate. It's probably the nicest of the Viscount Waveflo saddles we stock, but I still would not push this saddle into the high-end or professional category.
As alluded to in the listing title, these saddles are filled with a combination of high density foam and a patented "Flolite Liquid" that likely resembles a type of gel, but includes manufacturer claims (below) that indicate this filler material is superior to traditional gels. I don't know about the truth of this statement, but I can confirm these Professional model saddles do have a fair amount of padding (whether it be traditional foam or liquid/gel).
I suppose I should probably share the manufacturers "copy" on this Flolite Liquid padding/filler, but keep in mind there is some marketing fluff here...
"All saddles look the same...until you try them. Sit on a Waveflo saddle and you make a great first impression. Great because it is yours. Custom formed to your anatomy by an exclusive active ingredient: Flolite Liquid.
Flolite is a viscous liquid that only moves when you move. It flows under pressure, yet resists rapid deformation. Ensuring that each new impression is a good one. In contrast, where traditional gel compresses under pressure and remembers its own shape, Flolite displaces under pressure and remembers your shape. Thereby reducing peak pressures."
Now having said all of this, I want to be honest about a primary concern I have with this Flolite Liquid that is connected to the age of these saddles. More specifically, the production of these Viscount Waveflo saddles dates back to the early 90's, so there is at least a reasonable concern this Flolite Liquid may not do all that it claims at this later date (even though these saddles are still new-old-stock and I pulled them from their original sealed crates). I don't mean to dissuade anyone from considering one of these saddles, but the possibility that the Flolite liquid has begun to breakdown or dry out, may make for a relatively uncomfortable saddle on longer rides. As a result of these concerns, we have elected to sell-off these saddles at very near our cost for those that want to give one of them a try.
Some additional specs/details include the following...
-
Dimensions (Length x Width): 270 mm x 155 mm (with the latter measured from the widest point...near the back of the saddle)
-
Weight: 400 grams (per our digital postal scale)
-
Rail material: chromoly steel
-
Rail width: 42 mm (see discussion that follows regarding rail width)
-
Production date: 1990
-
Production locale: Made in Taiwan
As for condition, these saddles came to us bulk packed in plastic bags in a Viscount Waveflo labeled crate. As a result, it does not appear these saddles have been handled much, which probably explains why the saddle covers are in fairly nice cosmetic/functional condition. We see some marks and other imperfections that are to be expected on a leather cover, but no scuffs or cuts that puncture through the cover material. I suppose I should also mention the covers still appear firmly anchored to the saddle shells...with both glue that appears to be holding up well and staples. Then there is the concern over the Flolite Liquid that makes up some of the padded material used in these saddles. While the padding in these Waveflo Professional saddles still appears fairly evenly distributed under the saddle cover, we still do not know how this material will hold up over time...meaning will it break down to a point where little padding is present where needed over time. I can see some small ripples/lumps/dents under the saddle cover of this particular model, so it is possible the liquid filler/padding is already beginning to break down. Alternatively, maybe this filler/padding will reform and reshape after one of these saddles is put into service. We just don't know, and again, just trying to be as honest as we can regarding these saddles (given the somewhat unique filler/padding).
A note about rail width...
We have always assumed saddle rail widths were relatively standard...44 mm for a standard road/mtb saddle and 30 mm for a track saddle (center-to-center measurements). However, we are beginning to understand there is some variability concerning saddle rail widths that we would have expected to measure 44 mm. The variations are not significant...maybe +/- 3 mm from the 44 mm expected width...and we realize there is some flex to saddle rails...but the variations may still make installation a chore at times. For this reason, we are now providing a center-to-center rail width measurement on our saddles.
Terms and Conditions:
You may visit our store by clicking on this "Store Home Page" link and please note the product categories on the left side of our "Store Home Page".
We have also moved our "Terms and Conditions" to a separate page within our Ebay store. You may navigate to this page by clicking on the link on the left side of our "Store Home Page" (below the product categories) or you may click on one of our "Terms and Conditions" direct links herein.
Note to international customers regarding shipping...
We apologize to those that feel some of our international shipping charges are too high. We only charge actual shipping rates, but once an order exceeds a certain amount, we hesitate to use the least expensive US Postal Services First Class International service. We feel this way, because this service is not trackable or insurable...so more risk of loss. We prefer the US Postal Services Priority Mail International service for more expensive orders, because this service is trackable at USPS.com and insurable...so less risk of loss. Unfortunately, this service is more expensive, especially for smaller/lighter packages, relative to the First Class International service. We are sorry about these higher shipping costs, but hopefully our notes help to explain why this is the case.
Note to international customers regarding customs...
We also apologize to those that feel their country import taxes, duties and brokerage fees are excessive. As a small US business, we are required by customs' laws to declare each order as a retail sale. Additionally, the declared order value must be equal to total store purchases and/or winning auction bids (less any shipping costs, as these are not considered in the declared value). As a result, each customer will be responsible for paying his/her own country taxes, duties and brokerage fees, which will be collected upon delivery. Again, we apologize for these additional costs, but we cannot afford the penalties and fines that come with breaking customs' laws...so we have to strictly abide by them. |