Saddle on 1940's Raleigh roadster.

[Dunnroamin]

A few months ago I gave away (silly me), a 1940, ladies "sit up and beg" Raleigh "roadster", the sort that has the brake levers, pullrods and stem as integral with the handlebars. The saddle was covered in a kind of rexine, and underneath the seat area, a group of tightly coiled springs arranged in the shape of a fan or letter "Y" . I don't know what the make of the saddle was, but it was very comfortable, and I would like to know where I might get another one to replace my Brooks b33 which is rather hard on the crotch area. Can anyone advise, please.

[kylecycler]

This one might be ideal for you:
http://en.hollandbikeshop.com/bicycle-s ... -90-black/
Never tried it, so don't know what it feels like, and the springs aren't chrome as on the B33, but it has a cutout, which might help your crotch, and I think it's just about the most elegant saddle on the planet. Instinct and (limited) experience tells me it should feel just fine. It certainly looks right.

It's fairly expensive, but less so than a Brooks, and it looks extremely high quality. Lepper is an old, long established saddle manufacturer, and if I was restoring an old bicycle, or even building a replica or 're-creation' (something I do in my dreams!), they're the ones I'd go for.

Here's a better view of the same saddle from another site (there are various other designs as well, on both sites):
http://www.classic-cycle.de/en/Saddles/ ... 600054c192

[WrightsW5]

Rexine sounds like a matress saddle but the spring layout is like a B73.

[MikeF]

This one might be ideal for you:
http://en.hollandbikeshop.com/bicycle-s ... -90-black/
Never tried it, so don't know what it feels like, and the springs aren't chrome as on the B33, but it has a cutout, which might help your crotch, and I think it's just about the most elegant saddle on the planet. Instinct and (limited) experience tells me it should feel just fine. It certainly looks right.

It's fairly expensive, but less so than a Brooks, and it looks extremely high quality. Lepper is an old, long established saddle manufacturer, and if I was restoring an old bicycle, or even building a replica or 're-creation' (something I do in my dreams!), they're the ones I'd go for.

Here's a better view of the same saddle from another site (there are various other designs as well, on both sites):
http://www.classic-cycle.de/en/Saddles/ ... 600054c192

I don't think that was what OP had in mind.
IIRC there were saddles made with many small springs that were underneath and roughly in the same plane as the saddle, not at right angles to it. The springs were attached to the cantle plate at the back forming the arms of the Y and the junction was a ring or something under the middle of the saddle. The ring was then attached by more springs to the nose of the saddle. I cannot remember the details exactly, but I think this is the sort of saddle he means. However I don't know where you could buy one.

[kylecycler]

I don't think that was what OP had in mind.
IIRC there were saddles made with many small springs that were underneath and roughly in the same plane as the saddle, not at right angles to it. The springs were attached to the cantle plate at the back forming the arms of the Y and the junction was a ring or something under the middle of the saddle. The ring was then attached by more springs to the nose of the saddle. I cannot remember the details exactly, but I think this is the sort of saddle he means. However I don't know where you could buy one.

Oh, right, Mike. I think I saw saddles like that when I was young - there might even have been one on my first bike, a Vindec.

I'm guessing you mean a Lycett, then? There are two used ones currently for sale on ebay, one red, one blue, from the same seller:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-1950s ... 2c85584209
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-1950s ... 2c8558437a

And here's a blog post on how to restore one:
http://www.loopframelove.com/2009/11/ly ... er-part-1/
That's Part 1 of the makeover - it came up really well, didn't it? Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a Part 2 - re-covering the saddle - but if it was me, there's a local upholster who can re-cover just about anything, and there's bound to be someone local to Dunnroamin who could do it. The trick would be keeping the original covering intact and using it as a template.

[Dunnroamin]

I don't think that was what OP had in mind.
IIRC there were saddles made with many small springs that were underneath and roughly in the same plane as the saddle, not at right angles to it. The springs were attached to the cantle plate at the back forming the arms of the Y and the junction was a ring or something under the middle of the saddle. The ring was then attached by more springs to the nose of the saddle. I cannot remember the details exactly, but I think this is the sort of saddle he means. However I don't know where you could buy one.

Oh, right, Mike. I think I saw saddles like that when I was young - there might even have been one on my first bike, a Vindec.

I'm guessing you mean a Lycett, then? There are two used ones currently for sale on ebay, one red, one blue, from the same seller:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-1950s ... 2c85584209
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-1950s ... 2c8558437a

And here's a blog post on how to restore one:
http://www.loopframelove.com/2009/11/ly ... er-part-1/
That's Part 1 of the makeover - it came up really well, didn't it? Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a Part 2 - re-covering the saddle - but if it was me, there's a local upholster who can re-cover just about anything, and there's bound to be someone local to Dunnroamin who could do it. The trick would be keeping the original covering intact and using it as a template.

The Lycett almost certainly is the one I had in mind, although I have not seen them in any other colour than black. Unfortunately, I don't think I have the skill or dexterity (in my ancient bones) to renovate one if it was in the condition of the two in the links, but thank you so much for putting a name to the saddle. BW. D.