overt

Hello.

I'm a bit of a bike noob, but I'm beginning to figure out what I like. Been commuting for a couple of months now on an '85 Trek 600.

Anyways, I decided I wanted a new saddle. Ordered an antique brown Brooks B17 Narrow Imperial. Beautiful saddle.

Now to my problem: I took my old saddle off, tried to put the new saddle on and was greeted by this:




The seatpost clamp appears to be too wide for the saddle rails. Is this normal? I'm confused. I really don't want to go bending the rails on my brand new $100 saddle...

Please help!

Thank you.

repechage

British Empire quality control returns, consider it part of the charm. As an insurance check, measure the frame rail mount spacing of a typical Campagnolo vintage seat post. Not the special one Campagnolo made for special Brooks saddles years ago, but the regular one.

overt

The clamp's width, center to center is 45mm. The rails center to center are about 42mm. Is there a standard?

YoKev

Try clamping it down and see if the rails spread at all. If you get nervous, try a different seat post.

Mr IGH

Nothing abnormal, just give it a little extra force to spread the rails and tighten down the clamp.

ericbaker

It'll fit just fine, just giver a little

rootboy 

That's right. I had to put my little saddle rail stretcher on my B 17. The rails will flex.

treebound 

Fits like the B17 I had on a Raleigh Competition years ago. Worked just fine for many miles and years and through a couple relocations. I miss that saddle and that too tall bike.

Gary Fountain

I agree. The rails will spread. I 'jacked' them apart with a spreader I had purchased for car maintenance. If you are creative you will find a way to spread the rails to allow the clamp to locate in the grooves of the seatpost. The hardest part is holding the saddle.

pastorbobnlnh 

My Brooks' rails tend to be a bit on the wide side, so I need to pull them together. Once the post is tightened down on the rails I've never had a problem.

rhm

I'd probably just jam a two-by-four in there to spread the rails, tighten the clamp down, and then remove the lumber.

Mr IGH

I've always be able to move the rails by hand before tightening.

ThermionicScott 

They were a little narrow on my Brooks, but everything shifted into place nicely when I snugged it up.

illwafer

+1