Restoring an Italian Beauty - Selle Italia Nitrox

I will be restoring another bike here soon and some of the part will also need restoration before I can get it done. The first part on the list is this Selle Italia Nitrox saddle. I got this seat back in the late 90's and it is one I loved, and it's time for a refresh.
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[@someone-dj1vy]

I have say, by far one of my favorite channels ever, the videos are so relaxing and almost therapeutic

[@oldshovel]

That’s awesome, thanks. 😁

[@Alttabbins]

I love it. There’s something about restoring old bikes to something that’s not only usable but something people would be proud to use is really neat. I love these videos and this channel has been one of my all time favorites.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@aktoolco-austinkelley1803]

I really liked this video. Good balance of a manageable restoration and interest. Kind of a teaser for the full bike restoration, but enough to stand on its own. 👍

[@oldshovel]

Spot on Austin. You know how I think. 😁

[@oreocarlton3343]

We absolutely need these videos, noone restores saddles

[@oldshovel]

Lol 😂 right.

[@ScrubsIsee]

Yeah! It’s a real shame. Most of the videos here on YT don’t really show the process or skip the important steps. Also on the web you don’t really find detailed instructions on how to properly repair a saddle. Example: In this case here, the foam was still in good shape. But what do you do, if the foam already crumpled to pieces? How to replace it, how to attach it to the plastic?

[@keithschrack]

You can minimize the bunching by cutting little V-notches in the material where it makes a bend and gathers. Try it on your next saddle recovery--it works.

[@donaldfranklin5391]

Very awesome video on redoing bicycle saddle

[@mountainsmoore3657]

Nice! I may have to see about teaching my students to do this on some of the bikes that we have had donated for restoration, instead of buying new seats! Cool!

[@mountainsmoore3657]

Just curious, how durable has the Gorilla adhesives proven to be since the build? Would it hold up well to the abuse that a kid would put on it??

[@seanlynchcycling8044]

Very nice finish

[@robertgrell486]

Good renovations 👍

[@Dee_Just_Dee]

She's a beaut. With any luck, that tan-coloured leather might even take on a bit of a patina after a few months of use. A word to the wise: If the superglue under the edges decides to let go after a few weeks of use, you might still be able to avoid using staples. Roughening up the saddle's underside edges with some very coarse grit sandpaper will provide a texture for the superglue to "grab" onto.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks, those are some of my thoughts also... I want to test the strength of the glue. If it comes off I will do more to keep it on.

[@keithschrack]

Master All-Purpose Cement by Pretronio is what most cobblers use when repairing shoes. It's probably the best stuff to secure the edges--I wouldn't have faith in superglue. Gorilla spray worked fine for the top surface.

[@andrewdaley5375]

You did a brilliant job on that saddle. Andy England 🇬🇧 👍

[@oldshovel]

Thanks Andy

[@andrewdaley5375]

Got a saddle that old cannot remember the name I bought it separately when building a bike from scratch it was the most comfortable saddle my arse had the pleasure of resting on. I think it was also Italian and proper leather. Andy England 🇬🇧 👍

[@Healthnwellness1]

Great, just great idea fo my vetta cro moly saddle that came with my 95 Cannondale m400!! Thanks for inspiring us, really.

[@lordvengerx]

One day when or if it ever comes up. I'd like to see you restore a guitar. An acoustic would be awesome. After the canoe video your restorations went to a whole other level imo. It's outstanding stuff :3

[@oldshovel]

Both a guitar and an accordion sound fun 😁

[@lordvengerx]

@@oldshovel That sure does and very neat :3

[@Simse29]

I am loving these bike related videos OS. You're so underrated, hope you make it big in the nearest future!

[@oldshovel]

Lol 😂 thanks.

[@dima.s]

Crazy. I have the same saddle.

[@tomcarslaw2117]

I recovered my saddle in leather about 1 mm thick. It was extremely unyielding so I soaked the piece for a few hours in warm water with just a drop of wash up liquid. Even the I struggled to mould it to shape. My solution was to use a piece of leather slightly larger so that I could punch holes around the edge. I then threaded string through opposing holes to pull the leather into shape. This made it so easy. When dry I then trimmed the edges leaving enough leather to turn all the way round. How can I show you a picture?

[@llsh0ckwav3ll93]

Looks good as always keep it up man.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks for the awesome support.

[@EuelBall]

Nice work!

[@oldshovel]

Thanks!

[@ksgwalter]

My 90's Bontrager Rasta saddle is coming apart, need to try the Gorilla Super Glue! Built my whole bike around that seat.... Love your videos!

[@igehring]

Great job! I wonder if using hot steam on leather prior to glueing would make it more shaped to saddle thus avoid wrinkles

[@42Hertzer]

Indeed, that is what makes a difference, just soaking the leather in simple cold water makes it more compliant, thinning the leather on the edge with sandpaper is another trick! Fixed a old WTB SST X2 saddle that way, though the leather was thick so the saddle looked like a loaf of bread. 😆

[@mpt12345]

The saddle turned out beautiful! Great job! How is it holding up so far? Any update?

[@TheSmartCat1]

beautifull work.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@roygrinberg8795]

Very nice work 👌 Great video! Any update on how it held up?

[@sidneimanzutti7735]

Very Good.

[@allenbrylecaliw-caliw1037]

Shoutout oldshovel haha

[@mindciller]

I have a mint gold one. I think you should have left the old cover on and tried to fix the tears with something. I remember kids used to poke holes in the seat of the bus with pencils and the bus yard would fix them with some sort of vinyl adhesive that was even more durable than the original vinyl.

[@ryanwilson3126]

Thanks, I don't think I've been able to find anyone receiving a bicycle saddle until now.

[@oldshovel]

😁

[@-Slinger-]

Oof, I don't do racing saddles. My butt is spoiled and needs a nice cushion 😂 It's gel seats for me all the way, wide and soft 😋 But well done on yours, hope you get a lot of great use out of it!

[@paultrevino571]

So has it still held up sir? I have a bontrager I might try this on.

[@oldshovel]

Yes but I’ve only taken it out on a few rides. I like the leather on it much more thank the vinyl that was on before. Better grip.

[@coolmusic1579]

Need to do a video of the saddle, to see how it held up, if the super glue held.

[@oldshovel]

It has held up so far, but I agree. We’ll see over time how it does. On several other seats I have they are just glued, like on my flite there are no staples.

[@91ATV]

i have 2 flite saddle to refresh like that

[@rollinrat4850]

Old shovel (or anybody) Can you give me info for sources of good leather? What type(s) have you used? Can you wet the leather so it shrinks on as it dries? Ive got 3 old Titec DH saddles I really like for my long dirt tours and they're not made anymore. I'm very interested and I hate choosing new saddles. Its a good source of saddle sores! Any help would be greatly appreciated'

[@MrPhotodoc]

Good process if you plan on selling the seat but if you plan to keep it, the glue will not last one season. It really needs the staples. They were there for a reason.

[@mariolegaspi681]

No need to remove the steel BAR on the SADDLE?

[@JB-yr4vd]

Shoulda just went with the spray the whole way through....stuff works great... then finish with lil staples....

[@solstar4778]

What bicycle did you put it on ?

[@oldshovel]

The bike will be coming on a future video. 😁

[@damntuff62]

I've attempted to recover some saddles didn't turn out the best, must have been the glue ,need to find that gorilla glue here in 🇦🇺 someone told me the best leather to use is to get an old jacket and cut it up

[@rodionpavlenko4680]

nice job, but i think it could be better with thinner leather, so you can stretch it better to avoid wrinkles ;-)

[@tomwaldo9556]

That must be a nice bike

[@oldshovel]

I hope it turns out good. Thanks for watching. 😁

[@el_ectro]

Рукастый мужик, приятно смотреть.

[@ciarantheanarchist]

I've had good success using hot glue to attach leather to the plastic.

[@jwsuicidesjwsuicides1920]

I'm lovin' ya werk.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@AndresMUy-vd2fy]

Mal hecho, el cuero hay que pegarlo primero en el medio (en sentido longitudinal) y luego ir estirándolo hacia los bordes, hay que usar una pistola de calor (se puede usar un secador de cabello) para calentar el cuero e ir estirándolo para que no quede arrugado.

[@user-wf7qq1wf7e]

最好有中文字幕

[@sashabiruk4931]

👍😃

[@andrewgeorge6351]

It could have a been a bit darker courlor

[@crypttonite]

pretty sure staples needed

[@kimdavis3835]

The old leather was rich cordobian leather.

[@WheelcraftBicycles]

Without staples I am unsure how well it would hold if you ride in the rain. looks good though .

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

All saddles should be made with real leather.

[@shanewalter3301]

I like your channel but that seat did not turn out that good.

[@jasonedwin239]

Ironic I get a gorilla glue advertisement