bassplayinbiker

I am afraid that I'm gonna destroy my saddle when I remount my bike. I only weigh 135# but I'm riding a Selle italia SLR. Its not the cheapest thing out there. I am wondering if someone has ever broken a saddle before?

Ronsonic 

Yes, I once broke a titanium rail saddle on a mountain bike. I weighed almost 100 pounds more than you.

You are not leaping up in the air and landing on the thing. You are throwing your leg onto it. If you're concerned change out to something cheaper. It isn't like you are going to get cozy in a cross race.

Ron

fix

Don't worry too hard about it. I've had an old carbon-railed SI on my cross bike for a long time with no cracks or breaks.

flargle

Get a cheapo saddle for cross.

You won't necessarily break the saddle, but you'll probably bend the rails.

vanwaCX

The SLRs are pretty bomber. I know a guy that busted his Arione -- one of the wings snapped off. Generally, saddles don't break. And with your weight, there's less chance of breaking one. Don't worry about it. And if you learn excellent remount technique, there's even less to worry about.

flargle

So should he practice on his expensive saddle?

jfmckenna

When I first started I bent the rails on a saddle because I did not know how to mount properly. I would jump in the air and land on the thing rather than like Ronsonic said and throw a leg up on it. A friend of mine broke a carbon railled saddle. Not a cheap part.

sfcrossrider

yes you will

flargle

This video shows that even the pros get a bit sloppy on their remounts when under pressure and/or fatigue:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ONGYDR7STA8
But of course they get their saddles for free.

jfmckenna

Personally I would get a cheap saddle for cross too or an old good one. In fact I get cheap parts as well. Used Ultegra or new 105. I've got a cheap WTB on my pit bike and an old Flight on my main bike. But to each there own budget I suppose.

MIN 

I have bent Ti rails before. I would get cheap saddles for CX.