mikaits

Hello,
I own the following Bianchi Oltre XR:


(Click image for larger version)

I recently bought the SMP FORMA CRB saddle (with carbon rails):


(Click image for larger version)

The problem is that I am afraid to install the saddle to the Bianchi seatpost because in the SMP manual there are very important warnings and technical specifications about the seatpost clamps and their dimensions and design:


(Click image for larger version)

It seems that the existing bianchi clamps are not compatible with the carbon rails of the saddle and the clamps will destroy the carbon rails!
In the picture you can see the existing Bianchi seatpost with my previous (metal rail) saddle:


(Click image for larger version)

I have asked for an official answer by SMP & Bianchi but until now I haven't got any replies.

Can you help me on this?
Are there in the market other seatpost clamps that fit Bianchi Oltre XR seatpost and are compatible to the SMP Carbon Rail Saddles?
If I use the existing seatpost clamps is it safe to torque the bolts on 10NM (that Bianchi suggests on the seatpost)?
Thanks

Marios

woodcraft

If it was me I would find tubing the right I.D. for the saddle rails (7mm), cut it length-wise,

& enlarge the grooves in the lower saddle clamp to fit the O.D. of the tubing, & lay pieces in the length of the upper saddle clamp.

I have a saddle w/ those carbon rails- they seem sturdy, but I don't think I would risk it with your clamp style.

mikaits

I am posting the official SMP reply on my issue (although it is not very comprehensible!):

Hi Mr. Marios,

With regard to the section of the frame of the seat, the stainless steel or the like our saddles Pipe Stainless Steel Aisi 304 have a normal diameter 7.0 mm / 7.1 while those in carbon fiber have a section oval and measure mm . 9.3 / 9.7 and in some cases also in the vertical and 9.9 mm. 7.7 / 7.9 in horizontal; jaws that clamp the seat post so they must meet this requirement by Selle SMP, and also for all other manufacturers of saddles Italian; the extent of 7.7 / 7.9 is given by the inevitable thickness of transparent paint that is given to carbon fiber and inevitably also to the two cheeks semicircular protection / reinforcement and from the final deep drawing which is given to grips same and that, compared to the diameter, out of a few tenths of a millimeter.
If we want to better describe, in fact, the section is given by two sections of semicircles of diameter 7.0 mm with a rectangle in the middle section of 7.0 to 2.5 mm thick.
Seing the photo your clamp isn’t likely to tighten the oval, you must ask to production of your seat post.

Best regards.



Servizio Clienti / Customer Care
Rossella Zambonin

tel : +39 049 643966
fax : +39 049 8740106
mail : info@sellesmp.com
web : www.sellesmp.com

mikaits

to be honest I do not understand what to do!
I think that they are telling me that I should not use the saddle...
Any help is very much appreciated.

Marios

mikaits

Bianchi also replied that all SMP saddles are not to be installed on BIANCHI Bikes!!!

MikeyBoyAz

I think... from his perfect English... "No, don't clamp an oval carbon rail with a saddle clamp that has such small surface contact. Use some type of oval approved clamping adapter. Those clamps are ok for the stainless steel rails, but not carbon."

Why they be hate'n? Them's both Italian produkts

mikaits

Thanks for your reply,
I will ask them if the stainless steel rails are OK, to be sure....

gsa103

What does team Belkin do for saddles? They ride Bianchi frames and the oval carbon rails are pretty standard for any carbon rail.

Edit: It looks like Belkin uses stainless steel or titanium saddle rails. You need to return the saddle and get the version with steel rails. The only difference is price and 50g.

MikeyBoyAz

To be serous... I had a Fizik saddle with carbon wrap on the rails and a saddle clamp like yours. It cut all the way through the carbon and stopped at the metal rail. Didn't really matter as the saddle was a tank, but they are not wrong.

I like the idea of cutting the pipe, but I don't think that will work. I had an Easton seat post with the round under component and a plate on the top EC70? if I remember correctly. It clamped carbon rail saddles with no problem. You might look into the measurements of them and see if they match up. Another Alternative I know of is the bontrager saddles clamps on their mountain bikes... hope that serous answer helps.

On another note, it's possible they are also concerned about the rail angle. I have heard (though never experienced with mine) that the 'non-level to the ground' rails can cause slipping of the saddle with rough road, and once past the max extension apply excessive torque to the front of the clamping mechanism causing failure [insert glib lawyer stuff here]

mikaits

Bianchi Oltre seatpost is not round it is like a "drop", are there seatposts like these in the market?

MikeyBoyAz

thats not the part I am talking about. I mean the round portion that actually clamps onto the saddle rails...

mikaits

Do you think that I can found clamps that will fit on Bianchi's seatpost?
I have already asked Bianchi but they didn' t replied...
That's why I considered about changing the whole seatpost & clamp (if there is a compatible in the Bianchi shape product in the market), in order to find a "system" (clamp & seatpost) that can safely hold the SMP FORMA CRB saddle and also fit the shape of Bianchi's seat tube.

MikeyBoyAz

That's the reason I was talking about looking at other seat posts... it's possible the lower half of the clamping mechanism has the same diameter as another on the market and you could swap it out. Perhaps you could also fill in the center mass of the hollow portion of the current seat post, but... eh...

woodcraft

MUCH more flex with carbon rails.

mikaits

BIANCHI:
Dear Marios,
yes the SMP saddle is not compatible with Bianchi bike
best regards, Laura
LAURA ROSSONI
Export Sales Dept.

ME:
Good afternoon Laura,
Thanks for your reply.
1) Please explain me the "fork" because I am not familiar with this word.
Do you mean the seatpost?
2)So this means that SMP SADDLES with steel rails also are not compatible with Bianchi bikes or just the ones with carbon rails?
Because other Bianchi bikers in the bikesforum.net already use SMP saddles with steel rails and don't face any problems, so I was considering on replacing the carbon rail SMP with a steel rail SMP!!!
Thanks
Marios

BIANCHI:
Dear Mario,
As per my collegue reply the problem is the SMP saddle has a different position of the fork than the other saddles, for that reason it not possible put this saddle on our seatpost
Please see the link below
Bianchi - More than 125 years of history, international leadership
best regards, Laura
LAURA ROSSONI
Export Sales Dept.

ME:
Hello again from Greece,
Yesterday I have received the following email from SMP (I have asked them the same question about Bianchi & SMP):

From: info@sellesmp.com [mailto:info@sellesmp.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2014 6:28 PM
Subject: R: Seatpost Clamp suitable for BIANCHI XR & SMP FORMA CRB
Hi Mr. Marios,
With regard to the section of the frame of the seat, the stainless steel or the like our saddles Pipe Stainless Steel Aisi 304 have a normal diameter 7.0 mm / 7.1 while those in carbon fiber have a section oval and measure mm . 9.3 / 9.7 and in some cases also in the vertical and 9.9 mm. 7.7 / 7.9 in horizontal; jaws that clamp the seat post so they must meet this requirement by Selle SMP, and also for all other manufacturers of saddles Italian; the extent of 7.7 / 7.9 is given by the inevitable thickness of transparent paint that is given to carbon fiber and inevitably also to the two cheeks semicircular protection / reinforcement and from the final deep drawing which is given to grips same and that, compared to the diameter, out of a few tenths of a millimeter.
If we want to better describe, in fact, the section is given by two sections of semicircles of diameter 7.0 mm with a rectangle in the middle section of 7.0 to 2.5 mm thick.
Seing the photo your clamp isn’t likely to tighten the oval, you must ask to production of your seat post.
Best regards.
Servizio Clienti / Customer Care
Rossella Zambonin

Please send me your opinion on the issue that I am facing, after taking under consideration SMP’ s email,
Yesterday when we spoke on the phone, you have told me that BIANCHI bikes are not compatible with ALL SMP saddles (steel rail & carbon rail).
Since I am discussing the issue with other bike riders (on BIKE FORUMS.NET) please send me (written) the Bianchi’s official reply on the SMP saddles compatibility.
Waiting for your reply
Marios

ME:
Hello,
Following our phone conversation I am sending you this email in order to describe my problem.
I own the Bianchi Oltre XR FACING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM:
The existing seatpost clamps are not compatible with carbon rail saddles
I bought the SMP Forma saddle with CARBON RAILS
In the installation manual of SMP Saddle FORMA CRB there are special specifications about the seatpost clamps that I can use in order to protect the carbon rails from breaking:
I need your help in order to buy ASAP the right accessory / spare part in order to install properly and safely my new SMP FORMA CRB saddle.
Waiting for your reply
Marios

mikaits

I am not sure about their technical presentation (as with SMP' s reply I didn't understand much) but it seems that ALL SMP saddles are not to be used with BIACHI bikes!!!
Confirmed by BIANCHI and SMP!!!

Dan333SP

That's frustrating. The last part of a bike that I'd worry about compatibility on is the saddle. Too bad aero bikes have these brand-specific shaped seatposts, it would be such a simple matter to replace the entire post if it was a standard round 27.2 post.

KantoBoy

I have nothing to add other than my teamate has the same exact bike and uses a Selle SMP saddle. I'll see if I can check out what saddle it is specifically. I think it's one of those saddles that look like it has erectile dysfunction.

mikaits

That' s the standard SMP shape, you should forward him the emails from BIANCHI & SMP technical departments!