Selle Italia Mitica Leather Saddle

[Nessie23]

Just taken delivery of the Sella Italia Epoca for £54.
This is my first ever experience of a leather saddle. First impressions:
1. My goodness it is firm.....very firm.
2. It appears very well made and does look stylish.
3. Was not aware leather saddles should be protected from rain . Is this really required?

Will report back after my 98 kg has hopefully moulded it into shape after a few hundred miles.

[ClappedOut]

Just taken delivery of the Sella Italia Epoca for £54.
This is my first ever experience of a leather saddle. First impressions:
1. My goodness it is firm.....very firm.
2. It appears very well made and does look stylish.
3. Was not aware leather saddles should be protected from rain . Is this really required?

Will report back after my 98 kg has hopefully moulded it into shape after a few hundred miles.

Rain and leather not good idea.

Can you post a picture of leather edge and underneath as really interested in the construction and thickness of leather and composite.

[Nessie23]

Pics as requested...
Total thickness is approx 5.4mm
The central (middle) membrane of the sandwich is the white line in the section and approx 0.8mm.
It does appear incredibly well bonded together and the cut profile is very neatly finished. Trying to initiate a delamination by picking with my fingernail resulted in bent fingernail!
IMHO, a quality product and well worth the £54 (incl delivery)

[ClappedOut]

Hi thanks for posting your pictures it looks like a very nice saddle and a bargain. Will send link to my associate as they are keen to buy one.

[VinceLedge]

I bought one a couple of years ago, looks very good quality but haven't actually put it on a bike yet

[Mick F]

Rain and leather not good idea.

It depends on what you mean.

I have Brooks Professionals on my bikes. They've been wet, and been outside in the rain, but they just need a wipe down (or not) and just get ridden on. Absolutely fine.

What they haven't had, is been outside overnight in pouring rain and remained outside and unused for days on end.

Big difference.

[philvantwo]

I bought the honey one 10 years ago, only been used on my summer bike and only got it wet a few times. It's a dark brown colour now and the leather has split a fair bit around the copper rivets. I won't be buying another one, my winter bike has a Charge spoon saddle, loads better and a bargain for £17!

[Vorpal]

3. Was not aware leather saddles should be protected from rain . Is this really required?

Protected from the rain means Proofide, or whatever Selle Italia's equivalent is? That should help it break in, as well?

[ClappedOut]

3. Was not aware leather saddles should be protected from rain . Is this really required?

Protected from the rain means Proofide, or whatever Selle Italia's equivalent is? That should help it break in, as well?

Would be interested to know that as well.

[Sid Aluminium]

Good saddles and despite the online speculation they're a re-badged Taiwanese product, the box on mine says Made it Italy.

The 2016 article on Bike Radar indicated the saddles are manufactured at Selle Italia's facility near Venice on the original leather molding presses from back in the day.

[Nessie23]

3. Was not aware leather saddles should be protected from rain . Is this really required?

Protected from the rain means Proofide, or whatever Selle Italia's equivalent is? That should help it break in, as well?

Would be interested to know that as well.

Thanks, I am now aware that Proofide is recommended by Brooks. The only instruction from Selle was “Apply saddle treatment before your new saddle is exposed to rain or strong sunlight.” The actual instructions are visible on the label in the pic above.
Warning: This may offend the Brooks traditionalists...... but i have applied an application of dubbin last night. I rubbed it in and left it overnight and was just about to polish it off and go for first ride but the heavens have just opened and scuppered that plan!

[Vorpal]

Proofide is tallow, oil, and wax. I would think that you could use mink oil, one of the conditioners or oils used for horse tack, or another conditioner with contents similar to Proofide.

[Nessie23]

Proofide is tallow, oil, and wax. I would think that you could use mink oil, one of the conditioners or oils used for horse tack, or another conditioner with contents similar to Proofide.

Agreed on the make up of proofide. I believe dubbin has the same core ingredients and i have an old tin on the go. I love the smell of dubbin and still use it on my ‘genuine’ leather football boots. I have read many threads on the topic of leather saddle after-care and reached the conclusion that people can be too precious about the do’s and dont’s. One entry even advised against using mink oil as it will attract mice to nibble on your saddle.
Anyway, weather is clearing up so I am off for a quick spin on new saddle......just need to find a saddle umbrella just in case it rains again.

[ClappedOut]

Tallow beeswax and a small amount of neatsfoot oil my recipe -rightly or wrongly

[markjohnobrien]

Just taken delivery of the Sella Italia Epoca for £54.
This is my first ever experience of a leather saddle. First impressions:
1. My goodness it is firm.....very firm.
2. It appears very well made and does look stylish.
3. Was not aware leather saddles should be protected from rain . Is this really required?

Will report back after my 98 kg has hopefully moulded it into shape after a few hundred miles.

Don’t leave outside for hours, or overnight, in heavy rain as that will cause problems for a leather saddle.