BikeNC

I recently installed a Terry Fly saddle, and I noticed it making a cracking, rubbing sound, after 30 miles of my 50 mile loop, yesterday. I was able to duplicate the sound by pressing firmly down, in the center of the saddle. Upon doing so, the underside of the saddle rubbed against the top of the seat post clamp, therefore making the annoying sound. The edges of the saddle cutout, underneath, rub on the squared sides of the post clamp. Anyone else experience this? If so, what did you do to fix it? I was thinking of using wax, to lube the seat post clamp, to prevent the friction. At the same time, I'm afraid that the squared shape of the seat post clamp will eventually wear into the bottom of the saddle. I was thinking of grinding the square edges of the post clamp, to hopefully prevent this. BTW, I weigh 175 lbs, so weight shouldn't be an issue. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks, Mike

Spin Cycle

I had a similar problem with a Specialized Avatar - it squeaked due to the rails rubbing where they connected to the shell. Drove me completely insane. Tried lubribrication, tighten down screws, dissassemble/reassemble but no change. LBS was very helpful ("Never heard of that before..."). Finally gave up and replaced it.

BikeNC

Thanks, Spin. I hope I can resolve the problem without replacing the saddle. Not only is it new, but it's pretty comfortable ( I did a century ride with it last Saturday) The only complaint I have is the annoying sound!

Mike

caloso

You might be able to find a seat post with a narrower or shorter clamp area.

heflix455

i had the same problem - drove me nuts. I took everything apart, pulled out the seat post, cleaned all the road grit out, gave it some grease and now its completely silent.

Treefox

Maybe put some electrical tape on the underside of the saddle to take some of the wear? (just periodically replace the tape rather than having to ultimately replace the saddle)

BikeNC

I thought about that, but I figured the squared seat post clamp would wear through it too quickly. I'm thinking of removing the clamp, and rounding off the squared edges which would keep it from wearing, and might even stop the annoying squeaking noise. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Mike

caloso

Does it look like this?



These clamps are pretty fat.

As opposed to something like this, which is a bit thinner and flatter at the top:



Also, if you got a stem with a bigger setback, it might allow you to scoot the saddle up to a wider section and that might eliminate the rub.

yonderboy

I do this on one of my bikes. It doesn't get rid of the squeak entirely, but it muffles it quite a bit.

Rob P

had this issue, some oil on the rails stop it from making the noise against my seatpost.

bschoen

Spin Cycle,

I had the same problem with my Specialized Avatar - had about 6k miles on it. I could squeeze the rails and see them flex where they mounted to the shell. I asked at the LBS and they said it was just worn out. I liked the way it fit so much that I bought another. Squeaks disappeared. At the time I was on a cross state tour and didn't want to have to deal with a different saddle, so I minimized my risk by going with an identical model. Had I not been on the tour, I might have opted for a Brooks. I think there's one in my future. Maybe on the tandem instead of the single.

Spin Cycle

I tried the Forte Pro - a good seat, but at 127mm too narrow for me. Measured myself on the Ass-o-meter and found I needed a 143, so went with the Toupe. My butt has been thanking me ever since

jkizzle

try taking a fat rubberband and snipping a piece to fit int with the rail?

oilman_15106

After thinking this was a good idea. How is this going to change where the seat and clamp meet? If you put it under the seat rail it actually moves the seat and clamp closer thogether and on top of the rail changes nothing dimensionally.