Selle Italia gives the SLR a fresh look with new Opal White capsule collection
Selle Italia has unveiled a new Opal White capsule collection, bringing an iridescent finish to its well-known SLR saddle range and matching bar tape. The Italian brand says the collection is inspired by the shimmering look of opals and pearls, pairing a white base with multi-coloured reflections to create a distinctive new aesthetic.
At the centre of the launch is a four-model SLR line-up, each using the new Opal White finish and featuring iridescent Selle Italia and SLR logos. According to the brand, the idea is to combine cutting-edge materials with a more expressive visual identity, giving riders a premium product that stands out both on the road and in the workshop.
The flagship model in the range is the SLR 3D Carbon Opal White, which uses a 3D-printed cover and carbon rails. In S3 size, Selle Italia puts the weight at 137g, with a recommended retail price of £409.99. The company says the 3D-printed surface and iridescent detailing are designed to create a particularly striking effect when the saddle catches the light.
Also aimed at riders chasing a lightweight build is the SLR Carbon Opal White. This version uses carbon rails and hand-covered padding, with Selle Italia listing a weight of 118g in S3 size. UK recommended retail price is £289.99, making it one of the lighter options in the collection while retaining the same opalescent finish.
Further down the range, the SLR Elite Opal White is pitched as a blend of reliability and refined styling. It comes with lightweight tubular steel rails and shock absorbers intended to improve vibration damping, and has a recommended retail price of £209.99.
The most accessible saddle in the capsule is the SLR Advan Opal White, which also uses tubular steel rails and carries a recommended retail price of £139.99. Selle Italia describes it as a versatile option that brings the same eye-catching finish to a broader audience.
Completing the collection is the Opal White Bar Tape, which extends the same finish to the cockpit. Selle Italia says the tape features an opalescent surface and iridescent logo, while also promising grip and control in all weather conditions. The UK recommended retail price is £29.99.
The launch is clearly aimed at riders who want their contact points to make as much of a statement as the rest of the bike. White saddles and bar tape are nothing new, but Selle Italia is trying to push the look further here with a finish that changes depending on the angle of the light, giving the range a more premium, almost jewellery-like character. The collection also shows the brand continuing to build on the long-running appeal of the SLR platform with fresh materials and finishes rather than a complete reinvention.
Selle Italia, founded in 1897 and based in Asolo in the Veneto region of Italy, says it sells around one million products worldwide each year. The company remains one of the best-known names in the saddle market, and the Opal White capsule looks like a move designed to appeal to riders who care just as much about finish and detail as they do about weight and performance.
More information is available via Selle Italia’s Opal White collection page at selleitalia.com/opal-white/.
