I’m looking at a Custom saddle, an Icon Flight. Its hitting all the marks for me, except one concern. It has rippling in the seat. I don’t know a ton about evaluating saddles, but obviously rippling can be an indication of a tree issue. I dont notice anything obvious about the tree but a friend who also has a Custom said she had the same rippling and it was the rivets, and Custom replaced them.
I sent an email to Custom, but I was wondering if anyone else has seen this.
I am around a lot of Custom saddles and they all have rippling in the seat (unless they are brand new). I think it’s normal for this brand.
I kind of noticed that too. I looked around and saw a few others for sale, and some had rippling in the same spots.
At least half the Customs in our barn have rippling in the seat. One had a tree issue, and the tree was ultimately replaced. The rest are fine.
I’ve had my Icon Flight for almost 7 years and have not experienced any rippling in the seat. Almost everyone in my barn rides in Customs and I think only one person has a saddle that has had the rippling and she bought the saddle used from the rep. No tree issues; the saddle is just fine except for that slight rippling on the seat.
I have a custom Icon Flight, definite rippling in seat. Also a newer Wolfgang; had that seat recovered due to a hole worn under my tailbone - that was starting to ripple also…Like the saddle but not the quality.
I have an Icon Flight and there is no rippling. It is five years old.
Sheilah
My Icon Coda is 7 (?) years old and also has rippling in the seat. Seems pretty common for this brand unfortunately but it hasn’t caused a problem for me yet.
That happens because the seat has nearly two inches of soft foam in it and the leather that covers the seat is extremely soft and delicate. So the friction in from the seat bones rubbing against the seat often causes the adhesive that bonds the leather to the foam on the seat to separate a little. Its not a big deal, just unsightly when there is no butt in the saddle.
I’ve also seen it quite a bit on Black Country saddles. I assume their seats are quite padded too as they are very comfortable. IME you don’t notice it while riding.
My Solo is about 7 years old and has a less substantial but definite ripple as well. Bought new from the rep.