The tradition of me breaking stuff continues this. Brooks C-17 seat rail
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The tradition of me breaking stuff continues this. Brooks C-19 seat rail
Felt a good crack and than the seat wobble. Dang I broke the seat clamp bolts a couple months back too (Kinekt suspension post).
6’4” 275# isn’t gentle on seats and posts.
Time for a new seat! what to get? I like Brooks and have 2 more leather ones in other bikes. But are there seats with stronger seat rails? Brooks should be steel but I don’t know what grade and strength.
6’4” 275# isn’t gentle on seats and posts.
Time for a new seat! what to get? I like Brooks and have 2 more leather ones in other bikes. But are there seats with stronger seat rails? Brooks should be steel but I don’t know what grade and strength.

Last edited by Toadmeister; 11-13-22 at 07:05 PM.
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New rails can be had, check Ebay.
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#9
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It looks like improper heat treatment to me, based on what I see of grain structure in that break. It would be an interesting test to see how far a replacement rail would bend before breaking.
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My workplace has a materials lab where we could actually analyze this. The Engineer I knew retired around COVID However. Not sure who his replacement is now.
#11
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I would also examine that base to make sure it isn't causing uneven pressure or damage at the edge when tightened down. I don't think that rail should have broken unless it's defective or the OP is actually bending the rail slightly back and forth when shifting weight around on the seat. I don't think that would happen unless the base is exerting uneven pressure.
Last edited by RH Clark; 12-04-22 at 11:02 AM.
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I'm a bit heavier than you, and I've yet to break something on a Brooks. Also, using a suspension seatpost would, I'd think, soak up a lot of the stress of your weight on the saddle. I'm guessing it was just a defective rail.
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I broke the rail on a B17 when I was 5 miles from home. Not a fun ride back and I was sore for days. It was over 30 years old so it was probably due to fail, but thanks for the reminder. I may try to fix it myself this winter.
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#14
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This happened to me with my B66. I replaced the rails but I was never able to get the tension right again. Good luck with yours.