Can this seat be fixed?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,977
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7053 Post(s)
Liked 11,106 Times
in
4,742 Posts
The duct tape is a bad sign.
#4
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,685
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4423 Post(s)
Liked 4,068 Times
in
2,714 Posts
I would likely just get a new saddle, the bike was not a high end bike back in the day, the saddle looks pretty toasty and you can find modern vintage saddles. Here is a great source for them: https://www.somafab.com/parts/saddles
You can also get a saddle that may even work better for your rear end that is a newer design.
You can also get a saddle that may even work better for your rear end that is a newer design.
Likes For veganbikes:
#5
Senior Member
That's a bad accident waiting to happen, the seat comes off and the rails jab you in the butt or worse. Seriously. Get a new saddle. If you want traditional leather and durable, get a Brooks or similar, I don't recall if you can still get an Ideal. Brooks also has synthetic material that is impervious to water.
Likes For Duragrouch:
#6
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,122
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 854 Post(s)
Liked 1,445 Times
in
822 Posts
Easily fixed with a new saddle. Broken human body not so easily fixed. I have numerous spares, I will send you one for the cost of shipping, $12-15. It is an Oval, I believe that is Fuji's brand, and is very comfortable and in great shape. I have been using it, but I just acquired one of my favorite saddles, so the Oval is being replaced. It came on a barely used bike that I bought. PM me if interested.
Likes For delbiker1:
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2022
Location: New Canaan, CT
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times
in
17 Posts
When I read last night it probably cannot be fixed I ordered this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/173850659085
I'm pretty cautious, rode about 10 miles yesterday with it shifting underneath; 250#, 6'6". 68cm bike.
I'm pretty cautious, rode about 10 miles yesterday with it shifting underneath; 250#, 6'6". 68cm bike.
Likes For TLit:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,829
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5849 Post(s)
Liked 2,680 Times
in
1,494 Posts
Why would you want to bother?
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Likes For FBinNY:
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2022
Location: New Canaan, CT
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times
in
17 Posts
Because I'm frugal and don't throw out things that are not broken.
It looks like it worked its way out of the plastic frame; one opening to hold the "U" end and the other opening holds the two prongs; it's flexible so I'm thinking that it may be possible to get it back together.
It looks like it worked its way out of the plastic frame; one opening to hold the "U" end and the other opening holds the two prongs; it's flexible so I'm thinking that it may be possible to get it back together.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,829
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5849 Post(s)
Liked 2,680 Times
in
1,494 Posts
OK, that's a reason, so here's a hint.
It's like stringing a bow.
During manufacture, the frame is fixtured and flexed upward, which shortens the nose to back rail distance, allowing the top to be fitted. In use, your weight pushing down lengthens the rails, keeping the top secured.
So, your job is to improvise a way to flex (not bend) the rails up the same way so the nose can clear.
Note that if the rails are bend down where they are clamped, fitting it back together will be that much harder.
It's like stringing a bow.
During manufacture, the frame is fixtured and flexed upward, which shortens the nose to back rail distance, allowing the top to be fitted. In use, your weight pushing down lengthens the rails, keeping the top secured.
So, your job is to improvise a way to flex (not bend) the rails up the same way so the nose can clear.
Note that if the rails are bend down where they are clamped, fitting it back together will be that much harder.
Last edited by FBinNY; 02-27-24 at 11:07 AM.
Likes For FBinNY:
#12
Full Member
Because I'm frugal and don't throw out things that are not broken.
It looks like it worked its way out of the plastic frame; one opening to hold the "U" end and the other opening holds the two prongs; it's flexible so I'm thinking that it may be possible to get it back together.
It looks like it worked its way out of the plastic frame; one opening to hold the "U" end and the other opening holds the two prongs; it's flexible so I'm thinking that it may be possible to get it back together.
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2022
Location: New Canaan, CT
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times
in
17 Posts
I've known hoarders and that is not a problem I have. "Waste not want not" is a good saying from Franklin; if things are broken and beyond repair that's another issue. In many ways our society is a throw away society, things and people....I'll go with frugal for now. I'm reluctant to get sucked into the hyper civilized society with zero tolerance for things that are not perfect or up to spec.. Appreciate the inputs.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,829
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5849 Post(s)
Liked 2,680 Times
in
1,494 Posts
#15
Full Member
I've known hoarders and that is not a problem I have. "Waste not want not" is a good saying from Franklin; if things are broken and beyond repair that's another issue. In many ways our society is a throw away society, things and people....I'll go with frugal for now. I'm reluctant to get sucked into the hyper civilized society with zero tolerance for things that are not perfect or up to spec.. Appreciate the inputs.
Likes For 13ollocks:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,515
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 984 Post(s)
Liked 1,650 Times
in
1,060 Posts
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boulder County, CO
Posts: 4,409
Bikes: '80 Masi Gran Criterium, '12 Trek Madone, early '60s Frejus track
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 517 Post(s)
Liked 452 Times
in
339 Posts
Most bike shops have a box of swap-out saddles underneath the workbench. You could ask.
#18
Cantilever believer
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,620
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 554 Post(s)
Liked 1,911 Times
in
860 Posts
As someone who rehabilitates dozens upon dozens of saddles a year, I will say that any saddle where the rails won't stay securely attached to the pan (such as the one here) is truly and sincerely broken, and should be sent to a well-deserved retirement.
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Last edited by RCMoeur; 02-27-24 at 07:28 PM.
Likes For RCMoeur:
#19
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,816
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3599 Post(s)
Liked 3,424 Times
in
1,947 Posts
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2022
Location: New Canaan, CT
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times
in
17 Posts
The question I'd have is that these bike seats are put together in the factory with the semi-flexible plastic molded and melded together with the metal frame. Once the metal frame comes apart from it, it can't be reassembled? What happened with mine is that it came apart a while ago and there is such a disparity between the span of the mounting prongs to the metal that there does not seem to be any way to reassemble it even if had been nearly new.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Hotel CA / DFW
Posts: 1,744
Bikes: 83 Colnago Super, 87 50th Daccordi, 79 & 87 Guerciotti's, 90s DB/GT Mtn Bikes, 90s Colnago Master and Titanio, 96 Serotta Colorado TG, 95/05 Colnago C40/C50, 06 DbyLS TI, 08 Lemond Filmore FG SS, 12 Cervelo R3, 20/15 Surly Stragler & Steamroller
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 607 Post(s)
Liked 784 Times
in
501 Posts
pastorbobnlnh
#22
Full Member
The question I'd have is that these bike seats are put together in the factory with the semi-flexible plastic molded and melded together with the metal frame. Once the metal frame comes apart from it, it can't be reassembled? What happened with mine is that it came apart a while ago and there is such a disparity between the span of the mounting prongs to the metal that there does not seem to be any way to reassemble it even if had been nearly new.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,860
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3560 Post(s)
Liked 2,977 Times
in
1,801 Posts
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,297
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 522 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times
in
355 Posts
Another possible cause is that the rails have been bent, in which case you need to bend them back before refitting the top. It can be hard to check this, although any bend in the straight parallel part of the rails is a sure sign. Also the plastic may have deformed through age, not much you can do about that..
To get the top back on I used to use my biggest flat screwdriver as a lever, and clamp a rail in the bench vise if it reaches, otherwise put a vise-grip on the rail and hold that in the vice (in either case beware of tubular or alloy rails which can be crushed or chewed up). This leaves a hand free to wrestle the top. Having checked the sockets are clear, put the front in first, then lever the individual rails into place.
If you get it well seated and it comes apart again you might as well give up and get a new one.
Likes For grumpus:
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,297
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 522 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times
in
355 Posts
I have duct tape on the nose of the saddle on my utility bike - it's still a perfectly good saddle, albeit possibly 50 years old. I could strip the leather off and use it like that, or re-cover it, but until I do duct tape protects those little ragged edges where the leather has worn through.