Bicycle Mechanics - Hole in saddle

Not sure if you guys can help but I've had this bike about a week and I noticed a few days ago somehow I've got a small tear/hole in front of the saddle already. Is there a good way to repair this?

ChrisZ

Depends on the saddle, so more info would definitely help.

But in case it's a typical foam padded saddle covered with vinyl, then electrical makes a workable, but not beautiful repair.

It's the one here.
http://www.gtbicycles.com/2012/bikes/road/performance/2012-gtr-series-3-0
Not sure if this helps. I'm trying to find more information on the part. Looks like some sort of fake leather. I'm not sure what it is. Sorry don't know much about such materials. Perhaps vinyl.

You can get electricians vinyl tape in white , too..

I see, I figured electrical tape would be the simplest solution. Bummer, svelt looking bike with a bit of tape on it :D I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. Maybe I'll look at aftermarket saddles.

I see, I figured electrical tape would be the simplest solution. Bummer, svelt looking bike with a bit of tape on it :D I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. Maybe I'll look at aftermarket saddles.

They do make colored electrical tape, and they also make better vinyl repair products. You can check in an auto store, or something like a swimming pool store, for alternatives. Some of them do a great job, and are much more permanent that electical tape would be.

You said you only had the bike for a week?.....was it bought new or is it used. If it is new, could it be a defect on the cover of the saddle you can also claim waranty on from the dealer? Unless you know you caused the hole in someway, getting a replacement through a warranty claim if it's a new bike can be the better solution instead of trying to repair it, which will never make it as good as new.

Chombi

Yes if you bought it new a week ago go get a warranty claim. Nothing should break that fast.

Bike falls over an the saddle catches on something? been there , done that..

Yea I do recall seeing Magic vinyl upholstery repair stuff adds on TV
I think TV it was in color, so It couldn't be too long ago :50:

Gaffer's tape is cool stuff too, dense fabric..

and 100 mile per hour tape.

.. some Broken Hueys taped back together in 'Nam,
enough to get back to base with that stuff..

Might see if some of the Coasties have an end roll to donate.

Yes if you bought it new a week ago go get a warranty claim. Nothing should break that fast.

BS.

Things like tires, tubes, paint, handlebar tape, can be damaged very easily... THere is no warranty that covers a saddle that has been gouged with an exacto knife or a tire that is ridden through broken glass.

All that being said, we don't know how the OP's saddle was damaged. These things happen, though.
I have an old WTB saddle that came stock on my 1997 GT that I love and has been transferred from bike to bike ever since... but the cover is almost completely destroyed and I fear I may have to try to find a replacement soon. Vinyl saddle covers are a definite weak spot. Take heart in knowing that it does not affect performance. If you think about it, missing a tiny bit of vinyl actually makes your bike lighter :D

I have an old WTB saddle ..the cover is almost completely destroyed and I fear I may have to try to find a replacement soon.

Reskinning a saddle is no big deal, I think I've posted about it here some time ago.

once I filled in a hole in a saddle using plasti-dip....

Any good upholstery shop will have a vinyl repair kit. They can get a close match to color and texture and the repair is heat set so the repair is permanent. If the user is skilled you probably won't be able to see the repair. They do make home use versions of the kits that use a regular clothes iron as the heat source, but results are variable and you need to practice a couple of times before taking it to something expensive.

I plan on taking it into the bike shop tomorrow to see what they have to say. I've been very careful with the bike. The only time it's been dropped was by one of the bike techs accidentally leaning it up wrong against the wall in the shop a few days ago. I almost think that's when it happened.