Colt45

I have a loose saddle problem

well... yes, that too...

My saddle gets loose while I ride, I feel like if I tighten the 5mm hex bolt any tighter I might just rip it apart... it was a bummer this morning on my first commute into work, because I had to stop, move my bag, and fix the issue... which overall, went really well, the commute and the fixing... any suggestions would be helpful... I have a mostly stock specialized hardrock, with a schwinn Gel Seat... I have had it come loose a couple of times now...

thanks for the help!

Tom Stormcrowe

Hmmm, pics of the setup (Type of saddle and seat post might help. Is the saddle a collar mound and the seatpost like a piece of pipe or is it the more modern seat post)?

Is the saddle getting loose or is the seat post slipping?

chipcom 

How is it coming loose? Is it tilting up or down? Side to side? Moving fore or aft? Seatpost sliding down?

CardiacKid

A torque wrench and Loctite Blue should fix the problem.

Colt45

laterally, the seat post is NOT MOVING (that problem I fixed a while back), only the saddle... the saddle has 2 rails on it... I will try and take a picture of it... there is one 5mm HEX bolt in it... kind of pinches/clamps to plates on the 2 metal rails on the saddle... once it gets loose, the ride gets... well, interesting... when it gets loose, tightening the hex bolt makes it go away, but when I have to get off mid ride to fix it, it becomes annoying...

chipcom 

Either the bolt or the seatpost clamp itself is probably worn...replace as needed. I wouldn't use loctite or anything until you are sure you have the saddle positioned right.

I had a brand new Easton seatpost that caused my saddle to move side-to-side - it wasn't the clamp, the seat post was actually two pieces and whatever they used to fasten them together didn't hold up too well.

mlh122

my problem was that my bike was too small and so the seat was all the way back on the rails, and weighing 210lbs i overpowered the cheap clamp with no problem! it got so worn it couldn't even be sat on lightly. I got a bigger bike and put the seatpost roughly in the middle of the rails. I also got a Bontrager Race seatpost (i think that's it) with the hex bolt on the side rather than under the seat, so i can adjust it without moving the bag. if you really wanna stay with the post and seat you have, i'd suggest loctite.

CardiacKid

The good thing about Loctite Blue is that it isn't permanent, you can break it free with a wrench. But I do agree, this isn't something that should be coming loose, under normal circumstances.
By the way, Loctite Blue is perfect for the cleats on your shoes. If you have ever discovered that one of the screws came off your cleat as you were approaching a stoplight, you know what I am talking about. Can you say Artie Johnson?

aley

I recently bought a Ritchey seat post that has two bolts for the clamp, one right next to where the saddle rail goes through on each side. I didn't have a problem before, but this looks like a lot more rigid setup than a single bolt in the middle.

kandnhome

Exactly my thoughts. If that doesn't work, then you've got a problem.

Colt45

ok... here is more detail... when I put the majority of my weight on the front of the seat (like getting on the bike) it'll pop loose... I am going to go get some of this "loctite blue" (automotive store?) and give that a try... am also beginning to shop for a new seat post... something that has 2 bolts to hold the saddle on... I will look at suggestions in this thread... and search a bit... but does anyone have any QUICK suggestions on it? thanks for all your help!

Tom Stormcrowe

Try sliding your saddle forward on the rails a tad? If you are getting your weight too far to the nose, you have it back a tad too far.....try that and see if it fixes your problem. If not, you'll need a 2 bolt post.

chipcom 

Truvativ XR
https://www.sram.com/en/truvativ/seat...ingleclamp.php