Do I need a new seatpost for oversized carbon saddle rails?
04-06-15, 11:56 AM
#1
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Do I need a new seatpost for oversized carbon saddle rails?
Hi there, I am thinking about getting a new lightweight 4ZA Cirrus Pro saddle for my road bike. According to the manufacturer website it has the following rails: oversized full carbon - 7 by 10mm.
My current saddle has standard sized CroMo rails, would I typically need a new seatpost for the 4ZA saddle or should the current clamp be able to do the job? Any advice is much appreciated.
Lars
My current saddle has standard sized CroMo rails, would I typically need a new seatpost for the 4ZA saddle or should the current clamp be able to do the job? Any advice is much appreciated.
Lars
04-06-15, 01:10 PM
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CF rails are oval, taller than wide. If you have a seat post that clamps the rails from the top and bottom, it almost certainly will work. If you have one that clamps from the sides, you'll either need new clamp pieces that are sized properly for the CF rails, or a new seat post.
04-06-15, 01:13 PM
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CF rails are oval, taller than wide. If you have a seat post that clamps the rails from the top and bottom, it almost certainly will work. If you have one that clamps from the sides, you'll either need new clamp pieces that are sized properly for the CF rails, or a new seat post.
04-06-15, 01:15 PM
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I would ask the saddle maker by e-mail or phone call what is acceptable to use. I would be very leary about using the wrong thing on caron fiber anything. Actually I can't imagine buying a saddle with carbon fiber rails. It is a disaster waiting to happen. Roger
04-06-15, 01:21 PM
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04-06-15, 01:58 PM
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The loads on parts as thin and small as saddle rails are far different from those on frames and rims, or even bars and stems. Maybe carbon is a suitable material for saddle rails if designed properly but I'm not willing to be a beta tester.
04-06-15, 02:15 PM
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I've been using saddles with CF rails for a number of years now. No issues, normal top/bottom clamps work fine, which is what the CF rails are designed for. Their top and bottom radius is the same as the metal rails. Virtually every brand of saddle offers saddles with CF rails. Specialized, Trek, Fizik, Selle Italia, Selle SMP, etc... though I'm pretty sure Brooks doesn't. I think they have it worked out.
Last edited by Looigi; 04-06-15 at 02:21 PM.
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