Selle Italia chose the Sea Otter Classic Cycling Festival to present its latest products for the road and off-road worlds.
The company has released the Model Y, the new MTB saddle from its Greentech collection, as well as the Novus Boost Evo 3D with 3D-printed cover for road bikes, and Smart Tape, billed as 100% recyclable handlebar tape.
The Greentech production technology is an automated process, developed by Selle Italia, which allows the company to make products with a lower environmental impact. The production process involves assembling the components of the saddle mechanically, without the use of any adhesives, solvents or other pollutants.
This production process gave rise to the Model X family of saddles and now a brand new item is introduced to the Greentech collection: Model Y.
The Model Y saddle, just like its sister the Model X, is produced by assembling the parts mechanically, without pollutants, and is recyclable at the end of its life. Furthermore, the entire manufacturing process, patented by the company based in Treviso, Italy, is ‘Zero Km’ since it involves companies based within a 15 kilometre radius from its headquarters: one more factor towards reducing CO2 emissions.
Developed for the off-road world, the new Model Y has a neutral shape. It favours and optimises movement on and returning to the saddle, typical in off-road cycling.
The Model Y is a T-shaped saddle that allows for a more dynamic pedalling style, with shell featuring a Superflow cut-out to reduce pressure on the perineal area. The saddle’s cover is, though, closed to prevent mud from passing through the cut-out.
The second new product in the Greentech collection is the Smart Tape handlebar tape. The tape comes as a single strip with an integrated cap in the same material, which eases its application. The tape is made without the traditional, internal double-sided adhesive strips.
A special ’suction cup’ micro-structure compensates for the lack of glue and allows the tape to be reused if ever removed. With a thickness of 2.5mm it also reportedly saves up to 20% of the time needed to wrap the handlebars.
Followiing the SLR Boost 3D, introduced last year, Selle Italia now presents the Novus Boost Evo 3D, made with 3D-printed cover with dedicated, proprietary patten.
This new saddle has a waved shape and is for riders who need a more stable position on the saddle. The saddle has a differentiated cushioning zone which delivers progressive cushioning across the surface.
The Model Y and Novus Boost Evo 3D saddles and the Smart Tape handlebar tape will be available from the middle of May 2023.
