Tim Noakes says.....

Dr Tim Noakes has this to say about the Murray Orthoped saddle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X53EKOHoNBk

There's not really much more to say.

Sheepskin saddle covers

No, I don't make those, but there could be merit in covering a sub-standard saddle with sheepskin once it has already rubbed you raw. Might help.

Getting a decent saddle in the first place would enable both you and the sheep to keep your respective skins.

Dave "The Kid" Barr and his indomitable mates

Dave, Trevor and Ugene. After the Freedom Challenge. Finished. Done. Over.

A great personal achievement that I'm very grateful to have been part of. Congratulations to all of you. Graeme.

Dave and Claire happily re-united.

Blazing a path across the country....

Andrew Barnes is blazing a path towards the end of the cycling leg of the Freedom Challenge.

He roared through Prince Albert in the teeth of the huge cold front, all smiles and impeccably behaved.

So? So he's on a Murray Orthoped saddle and when asked how the saddled performed his comment was.....

" It's a saving grace"

And that from a man who knows his @rse from his elbow.

Andrew with Ria Steyn at Dennehof, Prince Albert

murraytourdeforce

Welcome to the new home of murraytourdeforce and the renowned Murray Orthoped saddles.

Graeme Murray has been building saddles for 12 years and is now on the fourth iteration of his original concept saddle.

The original saddle, the Murray Orthoped, was a bold step in a new direction. Graeme continued developing the saddle and produced the two stalwarts, the Competition and the Leisure. Both these saddles maintain a significant niche in the discerning saddle market.

The saddles have won awards and accolades, based on sound research. (See abstract of research undertaken by the Sports Science Institute here http://www.cababstractsplus.org/abstracts/Abstract.aspx?AcNo=20023067399

Graeme's latest addition to the range is the radically new Concorde which has the following unique features:

• "on the fly", fore, aft and tilt adjustment, hardware made of aircraft grade, CNC-machined aluminium
• two, different density, integrated-skin polyurethane seat padding inserts that simply plug into the saddle base
  
• an optional, built-in, carbon composite bottle holder
• an integral saddle post

A sneak preview of the Concorde (the chunky hardware is pre-CNC machining!)


Pricing

Leisure R850.00 (including a saddle bag and overnight delivery)

Competition R950.00 (including a saddle bag and overnight delivery)

Concorde Price not available at time of blogging!!

The Orthoped Range of Bicycle Saddles

Hand-tailored for comfort, performance, health and safety

Graeme Murray's personal Tourdeforce Competition,

after more than six year's of service.

Guarantee

We provide a guarantee with all our saddles:

• We guarantee that all pressure from the coccyx forward will be eliminated if the guidelines for correct posture and use of the saddles are followed.
• In addition Orthoped Saddles are guaranteed for life against manufacturing and material defects.
• Unconditional money-back guarantee for the first 30 days.

Awards

The unique characteristics of the Tour de Force range of saddles has earned them one of the prestigious SABS Design Institute Industrial Awards for 1999.

The Design Philosophy

Why a radical new saddle design? With conventional saddles you are applying a pressure of nearly 3kg/square centimetre - to some of the most delicate parts of the body, in addition to the nerves and arteries passing through the perineum.

The Orthoped saddles apply only 1.26kg/square centimetre over the area that we were designed to put our sitting pressure on - the ischial or 'sit' bones.

Pressure on the perineum and its nerves and arteries can lead to a number of male or female problems, including pain and irritation.

Eliminating this pressure has many advantages :

• no chafing
• no genital numbness
• no pins and needles
• none of the other documented medical conditions caused by most existing bicycle saddles.

Independent study

This claim is justified by a study performed at the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town - and a high proportion of users are medical practitioners!

The study in 1998 was carried out under the personal supervision of Professor Tim Noakes. We quote from his findings:

• The data clearly show that this novel seat is significantly more comfortable than the conventional saddle for all people we studied.
• The data are so different that it is likely that the medical problems associated with the use of the conventional saddle might be completely prevented by the use of this new saddle.
• We now plan a national study to evaluate this possibility.

In practice

• you feel the comfort of having your weight supported on the ischial bones of the pelvis, not the perineum
• get more than twice the contact area and less than half the pressure when seated on a Murray Orthoped saddle
• The narrower nose reduces contact with the inner leg. A leather or vinyl covering makes it smooth and cooler
• The longer nose of the Competition saddle affords better bike control
• Your specific sex, age, weight, and type of cycling are used to customise your saddle's density or softness.

The saddles

• These new saddles look great.
• Choose a black or dark grey covering.
• A useful Velcro attached saddle-bag is included.
• The supplied belt secures the saddlebag around the waist, similar to a "moon bag" and also includes a zipped pocket for bank notes and coins.

Feeling comfortable and pain-free reduces fatigue and increases your endurance and performance.

But these saddles - renowned for safety and comfort - are also amongst the lightest, without compromising strength and durability.

Specifications

	Leisure saddle	Competition saddle
Base construction	Epoxy/Carbon/Glass composite	Epoxy/Carbon/Kevlar composite
Padding	Integral-skin polyurethane	Integral-skin polyurethane
Cover	Vinyl (leather optional)	Genuine leather
Cover colour	Black or grey	Black or grey
Length	230mm	272mm
Width	173mm	163mm
Weight	275gms	240gms
Fore/aft adjustment	50mm	50mm

Adjustable Carbon Cranks

Regrettably I no longer make these cranks.

This post is kept here for interest only.

Thank you, Graeme

The first ever fully adjustable carbon fibre cranks Features Price: Please enquire Weight: 450 - 465 gms. depending on type Range of adjustment: 160 - 183 mm infinite Types: Shimano square and splined drive (road only); Campagnolo square drive Triple adaptors available at extra US$25 Aerodynamically superior to conventional cranks Tremendous strength to weight ratio and stiffness. Converts all energy into forward motion. Adjust to suit leg length and conditions in seconds Why adjustable cranks? The short answer is 'Performance' Would you buy the same frame size as someone 30 cms taller or shorter than you? Obviously you wouldn't, but most cyclists accept the cranks that came with the bike without question. The leg has an optimum or ideal range through which it should travel during the pedalling cycle in order to attain optimum perormance. If the crank is too long or short the leg cannot go through its optimum range and performance will suffer. Enter the Murray TourDeForce Adjustable Cranks These ultra-light (450 gms) ultra-stiff carbon cranks have an infinite adjustment range of between 160 and 183 mms which can be set or changed in seconds without having to buy new cranks and remove the old ones as well as the chain rings and swop them over. This ignores the cost of the new components and the fact that proprietary cranks are only available in increments of 2.5 mms. 150gms lighter than the best hollow forged aluminium cranks, the Murray TourDeForce Competition Cranks can be adjusted infinitely over a range of 23mms in seconds: to exactly match leg length (see table) to accommodate different cycling disciplines - time trial, climbing, triathlon... to accommodate leg length discrepancies Here's what users of Murray TourDeForce Cranks are saying: Graeme, The Murray Adjustable Cranks are the most beautiful component I have ever purchased for the bike. Not only are the cranks a work of art they are the perfect example of precision design and function at its best. There is NO other crank set available with infinite adjustment from 160 - 180 mm. Combined with a lightweight sleek aero design, and superior strength of carbon fibre, the cranks are unbeatable. A truly amazing component. You are a genius Graeme. Alan Ariail, HPV racer, Palatine, IL USA Alan Dear Graeme. I received the most wonderful surprise when your cranks arrived. They look spectacular and I am certainly not a rider whose ability justifies such exquisite componentry. I will take them to the frame builder over the weekend and when the bike is finished, send you a photo. If all works well they will be put to the test in Paris - Brest - Paris next year. I haven't checked my account but if there are any difficulties in extracting payment please let me know. Best Wishes Paul Huard Graeme, I just posted this info on on the message board of one of the most viewed recumbent sites in the US. I hope this brings some business your way. Best Wishes, Alan Bryan, You should post a link for the Murray adjustable carbon cranks. Its a beautifully designed component backed up with excellent customer service. I just tried them on the Jester and they are very light and stiff and they offer infinite adjustment from 160-80 mm. I know that Gerrit once posted a comment on the cranks. With enough interest, Graeme Murray may consider a triple crank desgin. Currently the cranks are only available in a double.