I agree with Chuck that in 1960 the Unicanitor was a Space-Age wonder saddle, and will add that it was also, in the context of the Kitching catalog, an imported saddle while the Brooks was domesitc. Wouldn't that contribute the higher price? If it were an Italian catalog, I suspect the price diff might have been smaller.
Tom never ridden anything but a plastic saddle Dalton Bethlehem, PA, USA
Always the same answer Fred. New technology (plastics) = new prices. The '60 Ron Kitching catalog write up about the <PLASTIC> saddle said it was way ahead of its time and things would never be the same, and ultimately they were correct in their hyperbole.
Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Benjamin: Yes, sir. Mr. McGuire: Are you listening? Benjamin: Yes, I am. Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
Chuck "now one word... Carbon" Schmidt South Pasadena, CA USA
On Jan 31, 2007, at 4:42 PM, Fred Rafael Rednor wrote:
> These things were more expensive that a Brooks B-17?
> Unbelievable! Did they come with a 50 gallon barrel of
> hemorrhoid cream? What else could account for those prices?
> Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)
>
>
> --- Chuck Schmidt <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> I found a lot of info in the Ron Kitching 1960 catalog on
>> Unicanitor
>> (referred to in the catalog as both Unica and Unica-Nitor)
>> saddle.
>> The saddle came out in 1959 and the '60 catalog mentions an
>> "improved
>> patented pillar" (steel, exceptionally narrow rail spacing
>> with cam
>> adjustment in top of post for seat angle).
>>
>> Also listed in the '60 catalog is a Unica-Nitor saddle "for
>> use with
>> the Campagnolo 1044 seat pillar, Ideale Special-Competition
>> saddle
>> clip, Vittoria seat pillar or any standard clip." Available
>> plain or
>> perforated in Black, Brown, Orange or Green, in Road or
>> Track."
>> Track version is described as "narrow section, more rounded."
>>
>> Quote from catalog, "NITOR nylon-plastic patented top is
>> moulded to
>> the saddle frame..." Which make me wonder, is the word
>> "Nitor"
>> Italian for, or the Italian trade name of, nylon-plastic???
>>
>> Here's prices from the catalog for comparison:
>> BROOKS -- B.17 "mod. Campagnolo" -- 42/6 Each
>> UNICA -- "Road" model, fits Campagnolo post -- 55/6 Each
>> UNICA -- "Track" model, as above, narrow section -- 55/6 Each
>> UNICA -- "Road" model, fits Unica pillar only -- 74/- Each
>> UNICA -- "Track" model, as above, narrow section -- 74/- Each
>>
>> None of these Unica saddles had any leather cover or padding,
>> "No
>> breaking-in required - the top provides a firm comfortable
>> seat
>> without that springy feeling that absorbs pedalling (sic)
>> power." It
>> has already been mentioned that most everyone found the
>> saddle, for
>> all but track use, to be slippery, hot and too hard, and it
>> wasn't
>> until the Cinelli versions in 1969/70 that the Unicanitor was
>> offered
>> with a leather cover and also a leather cover over foam
>> padding.
>>
>> Chuck Schmidt
>> South Pasadena, CA USA
>> http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)
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