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Put A Cork In It! Swedish Design Concept: Solid Cork Saddle

Written by Micah Redfield
14 Comments
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Swedish_Concept_Design_Cork_Saddle

Industries do not advance unless artists are allowed to experiment, flourish, and grow. And while you may balk at the idea of an all natural cork saddle, this is clearly a design concept. And who knows, it may be really comfortable (we won’t discuss durability or weights here). Pop past the break for more pics and info.

Swedish_Concept_Design_Cork_Saddle

This concept is the product of Swedish, student design duo Sofia Almqvist and Carl Cyrén of the Industrial Design School of Konstfack Konstfack University of Stockholm. The saddle itself is actually CNC machined out of a solid block of cork. You have to admit, that’s kinda cool.

Swedish_Concept_Design_Cork_Saddle

Before you completely dismiss this idea, and while they not considered high-performance footwear, recall the highly successful German producer of cork-bed sandals. Now that’s comfort.

Swedish_Concept_Design_Cork_Saddle

Credit: Gessatgo Blog
Micah Redfield
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14 Comments
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Adán
Adán
11 years ago

I like the idea. I hope the start using more present designs. The turbo shape is not bad though.

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Ivar
Ivar
11 years ago

Hi,
there’s no such thing as “Industrial Design School of Konstfack.”
The designers are attending the Bachelor’s programme in Industrial Design at Konstfack, Stockholm, Sweden.

Thanks.

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mudrock
mudrock
11 years ago

Id like to see underneath. How do they attach the rails?

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Steve M
Steve M
11 years ago

I prefer a screw top.

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David
David
11 years ago

Steve, LMAO.

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patrik
patrik
11 years ago

There’s a reason one’s told to store their wine bottles on their side: so the cork doesn’t dry out.

What do we do here? Store bike upside-down, with saddle in bucket of water?

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Bob
Bob
11 years ago

Does it come with push pins?

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Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
11 years ago

Cork grips have been around for years, so the material can handle the weather. I’d be concerned about structural strength unless there is a seat pan under there.

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Jacob
Jacob
11 years ago

What about high performance cork footbeds that have been the gold standard for years in the ski industry? Treat the material properly and there’s no reason it shouldn’t last. I bet it’d be super comfy and mold to your bottom.

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Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider
11 years ago

At least they copied a classic saddle shape: the Selle Italia Turbo. Bet it’s comfy as can be!

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Micah Redfield
Author
Micah Redfield
11 years ago

#Ivar – eagle eye there, well done – post has been updated

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Chris L
Chris L
11 years ago

I had cork foot beds in boots during my 10 years in the Army and they were great. Also had great luck with cork grips and a cork deck pad on my stand-up paddle board. That said, I have concerns about how well a cork saddle would hold up to the rubbing that saddles endure.

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hermies
hermies
11 years ago

you expect me to take a cork saddle on a flat bar faux fixie with a quill stem?
I dont think so, and as far i remember all of the ground break products usually look like something off of a space ship. Case in point the original rido saddle, the SMP saddle, or the dash carbon saddle. All those saddle look ugly but worked well this just looks like something someone who only talks about sustainability, wears lots of chrome gear, and name drops bike messenger names would use.

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twicedead
twicedead
11 years ago

Thank you hermies for a very constructive contribution.

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