General Cycling Discussion - Crashed with my bike, need help

So I crashed on my brand new bike yesterday because of some driver in a hurry. He gave me his number and is willing to pay for the damages dealt to my bike. Among the things broken is the saddle. One of the rods beneath the actual saddle took the force from the impact and is now bent. Can this rod be removed and replaced with another one? Or do I have to buy a new saddle? Now i've triet finding some website that sells the saddle but havent been able to find one. So i figure i'll have to buy a different saddle but of the same quality, problem is that i'm no saddle expert. Would be great if someone could tell in what priceclass this saddle is. It came with my new Focus Mares AX3 Tiagra from wiggle, and on their description it only says "Concept EX". Pictures of saddle below.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/508/150924.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/151000.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/151000.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/88/150924.jpg/

Make certain that your frame is not bent. Otherwise, your troubles are just beginning...

-Slim :)

No "fortunately" it was a 360 degree spin, the saddle impacted first and the bending of one of the rods beneath it shows that it absorbed much of the force on impact. But i'll recheck just to be sure.. What about the bike saddle? Anyone have the name of it? or any opinion on its priceclass?

The image of the saddle you posted doesn't match this one (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/concept-ex-saddle/), that was derived from a search of the saddle from a search of your bike (http://www.focus-bikes.com/us/en_us/bikes/bikes-2011/category/cyclocross-7/model/mares-ax-3-2.html).

Why not just contact Wiggle (the source for your bike) and ask them how much a replacement for that model of saddle is going to run as a baseline? Maybe they swapped saddles out prior to selling/shipping for some reason, and will have a record of what Velo model you ended up with...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-mares-ax-30-tiagra-2011/ the saddle is the standard one that comes with the bike. I think the name is just a general name over a series of saddles. I'll try to contact wiggle for a new saddle. But is that really needed now that i think about it? I mean can bent saddle rails not be repaired or replaced by a bycycle mechanic?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-mares-ax-30-tiagra-2011/ the saddle is the standard one that comes with the bike. I think the name is just a general name over a series of saddles. I'll try to contact wiggle for a new saddle. But is that really needed now that i think about it? I mean can bent saddle rails not be repaired or replaced by a bycycle mechanic?

Most likely the rail can't be replaced, perhaps repaired if the rail is steel or titanium, but I wouldn't bet on it. Have the driver buy you a new saddle and tinker with the old one. Most complete bicycles aren't sold with the highest quality saddle available as they're probably the most replaced comfort item.

Brad

I'll do that. Any idea what priceclass a similar quality saddle would be in?

Also if i buy a new saddle, is there anyway for me to know if it will fit my saddle post? I'm buying abroad as bicycle parts are expensive locally.

I don't even see an issue here. If the driver was at fault and is offering to pay for repair then find an acceptable replacement and shoot the guy a link.

The problem is that i cant find the same saddle anywhere, and i'm not interested in buying an relatively expensive or cheap saddle either. So i need to know what priceclass this saddle is in aprox. if possible.

I think only Wiggle can answer your question. If it's not a brand name saddle, and is not being sold separately you won't be able to replace it with exactly the same one. Saddles that come with bikes are usually not top quality, even though sometimes they can be comfortable. I would pick a mid range saddle of similar shape and go with that.

I would take the bike to the mechanic to look over and see if there's any more damage. If there is, ask for a written note listing damages and estimated price of repair/replacement.

Searching google a bit for "Velo Saddle" gives results from 30-50 bucks.

your responds are very helpful, just one more thing. If i buy a new saddle will i have to worry about it fitting my saddle post? My current (broken) saddle has a rail that you can attach to the saddle post, do most saddles have this?

Um, saddles are a highly personal choice item. Since the driver who hit you already agreed to buy you a new one, just go to as many bike shops as you can to look at saddles. The shop you buy from will install it for you.

Bike parts and bikes themselves are very expensive locally, and since I didnt notice the saddle rack bending at scene, i'm not too much in fond of the idea of handing him a big bill for a new locally bought saddle.

I'm thinking one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brev-M-Brev-M-Perforated-Road-Bike-Saddle-Seat-Black-/260850395878?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3cbbe52ae6
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Madison-Flux-Mountain-Bike-Road-Saddle-Seat-Black-/160603208908?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2564b27ccc

are these saddles of lower quality than the original?

So I crashed on my brand new bike yesterday because of some driver in a hurry. He gave me his number and is willing to pay for the damages dealt to my bike. Among the things broken is the saddle. One of the rods beneath the actual saddle took the force from the impact and is now bent. Can this rod be removed and replaced with another one? Or do I have to buy a new saddle? Now i've triet finding some website that sells the saddle but havent been able to find one. So i figure i'll have to buy a different saddle but of the same quality, problem is that i'm no saddle expert. Would be great if someone could tell in what priceclass this saddle is. It came with my new Focus Mares AX3 Tiagra from wiggle, and on their description it only says "Concept EX". Pictures of saddle below.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/508/150924.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/151000.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/151000.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/88/150924.jpg/

Cool your jets, mate.

Take that bike to a shop and let them go over it for all damage including any hidden damage before you even think about throwing a leg over it for another ride.

Let the driver pay the bill so don't be in a big hurry 'cause your life is really in the balance here with THAT bike !!!

My bike is at the mechanic now. But regarding the possible saddles from ebay that i posted in my last post. One of em has Cro-Mo rails, what is the diameter of a such rail? My current broken saddle has rails with diameter 7mm, will a saddle with 8 mm diameter rails work or should I keep looking?

Heck, the guy hit you and could have killed you. I think he owes you a Brooks...

My bike is at the mechanic now. But regarding the possible saddles from ebay that i posted in my last post. One of em has Cro-Mo rails, what is the diameter of a such rail? My current broken saddle has rails with diameter 7mm, will a saddle with 8 mm diameter rails work or should I keep looking?


Heck, the guy hit you and could have killed you. I think he owes you a Brooks...


Yes, stop fretting over a broken saddle and use this as an opportunity to get a "Brooks" to ride for life.

Really you are obsessing over your broken bike seat............GET A BROOKS AND MOVE ON!!!!!

Get a saddle you LIKE. For get this "get a Brooks" thing unless that is what you want. Quit obsessing over the saddle and just buy a moderately-priced one and hit the guy with the bill.

For safety sake, damaged seat rail means get a new saddle. That saddle is probably OEM for Focus; meaning it may not be
commercial avaialble. Perhaps your LBS can contact Focus per an identical replacement. Many saddle manufacturers will make saddles for bike companies re-branded with their bike company logos + model names. that saddle has the shape of a
Selle Italia one. Most saddles that come with the bike a relatively inexpensive; people to tend to change out seats, pedals,
& handlebars to what is more comfortable for them.

Not only may rail dimensions be important to you - but also length and width of saddle in milimeters. Clamps of the seat post can sometimes be changed out to accomodate a saddle with larger rails. If that is not the case you could always purchase another seat post that has larger clamps.

Cool your jets, mate.

Take that bike to a shop and let them go over it for all damage including any hidden damage before you even think about throwing a leg over it for another ride.

Let the driver pay the bill so don't be in a big hurry 'cause your life is really in the balance here with THAT bike !!!

Darned right!

mozad655, Here's a link to Velo Saddle: http://www.velosaddles.com/ . Pick the model that most matches yours, search for an online vendor of that model and that's the best you can do if you want to stay with that brand. Otherwise measure the width and the length and compare with other brands.

Brad

What diameter do Cro-Mo rails have? I see plenty of internet shops selling saddles, but none amazingly think about mentioning the diameter of rails..

What diameter do Cro-Mo rails have? I see plenty of internet shops selling saddles, but none amazingly think about mentioning the diameter of rails..

That's because most saddles will fit most posts. The rail diameter is pretty standard with the exception of a few integrated seat/post combinations.

so you'd reckon this would be a standard or an exception?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Madison-Flux-Mountain-Bike-Road-Saddle-Seat-Black-/160603208908?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2564b27ccc

and thanks alot for the clearification =)

so you'd reckon this would be a standard or an exception?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Madison-Flux-Mountain-Bike-Road-Saddle-Seat-Black-/160603208908?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2564b27ccc

and thanks alot for the clearification =)

Looks pretty standard to me.

I asked the guy and he said its 6mm. The saddle that came with my bike has racks with dia. 7mm. Will the 6mm fit??

the bike shop threw away a Trek 2000, it had been in a car vs bike encounter . its aluminum frame was bent. the rear triangle. the thing is the left most of the components on the bike, so I took it home, The experts tell me to forget about the frame , aluminum doesn't straigten well. this is the second aluminum bike i got this way. the other was a Cannondale mountain bike, it has cracks in the rear triangle fatal i am told. it also had most of it components still attached,

I was just checking to make sure you weren't still crashed on a mnt side and needed hlep