HeIncreasesMe

So I was practicing clipping in and clipping out. First time out the gate fell over. My saddle came off the saddle frame. Like the actual saddle (cotton..leather) portion came off.

Is this fixable? Or do I need to get another saddle? It is a Trek and the Bontager components are covered in the warranty so I am hoping it will be covered by the warranty.

Help!

Jonahhobbes

Its great learning how to clip in and out no?

Never known that to happen before, if the saddle came off the saddle rails, I would say its had it. Pics would be handy.

If its covered though by warranty just get a replacement.

blankgen

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/suppo...ited_warranty/
This warranty does not cover:

• Normal wear and tear
• Improper assembly
• Improper follow-up maintenance
• Installation of parts or accessories not originally intended for, or compatible with, the bicycle as sold
  
• Damage or failure due to accident, misuse, abuse, or neglect
• Labor charges for part replacement or changeover

From the warranty's perspective, you wrecked, so it might not be covered. Your LBS might be nice and have it replaced though

BCRider

If you're having trouble clipping in and out without it shaking you to your soul the pedals should be adjusted. There's a tension screw on them that makes the trap hold harder or softer. I like to adjust mine to the minimum needed so that I can lift up semi aggresively without snapping out. That makes it so the shoe can lock in quite easily and it takes only a light twist to snap out. That amount is easily enough for normal street riding.

The saddle sounds like crash damage to me. But if there's no noticable damage on the covering to indicate a really nasty pull I'd say it would be worth trying the warranty route. These things are supposed to be more durable than that. A saddle should be able to take a bash or three from "normal" crashes without the seat pan springing off the support rails. A lack of really obvioius damage to the covering would indicate that you didn't do a really bad crash.

crhilton

Take the bike to your shop. It's probably not covered, but Trek may be embarrassed enough to make it up to you anyway.

HeIncreasesMe

I took the seat post to the shop with the saddle attached and the other piece off. They just gave me a new saddle.

Honestly I was in my drive way and toppled over. That's like my bike falling over and the seat coming off. Anyway my LBS didn't even ask what happened they just said..oh that's covered in the warranty and gave me a similar seat by bontager.


This really makes me feel like a smart person. Because I was looking on craigs list etc for a bike, but decided to buy from an LBS and the cost and everything is soooo worth it when incidents like this take place. Not to mention all the times I've gone in to chat and get stuff done on my bike.

I would be super super upset if they decided not to cover that in the warranty. But glad they did. :yay:

HeIncreasesMe

I didn't picture myself falling, but it happened on my first time. I plan for that to be the only time. It was nto pretty. I kind of don't want to even do it anymore. But, I have to in order to build up my cadence. Plus I have stretches on my route where it's just...go as fast as you can. lol I think clipless will help me do that more effeciently.

Yea the saddle came right off the saddle rails. I thought that was ridiculous. It's pretty much like my bike falling over and the saddle popping off. Thankfuly Trek has a great warranty and it was covered.

BCRider

A little trick I use that may help. Unclip a couple of seconds before you want to stop. As you brake to a stop lower your free foot and with your last couple of feet of motion push on the grip on the same side as your free foot. The bike will move away from your free foot and lean you onto your foot. We are talking about literally the last foot or two of rolling. Any sooner and it'll turn into a 90 degree snap turn....

It's a nice surefire way to ensure you don't lose your balance at the last instant and fall towards the clipped in side.

I have to admit that I was pretty anxious my first couple of days. I tended to leave a little sooner and on the way in practiced a few extra times.

After a few weeks you won't even think about it all anymore. It'll be as automatic as breathing.

på beløb

Also remember to alternate which foot you put down at a stop. Nothing worse than using just one foot, and then one day you need to use the other, and you can't remember what to do until you're on the ground.