Bike Forums - Long distance saddle choice

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I've been trying a bunch of saddles for tandem touring, and purchased a Selle Anatomica X-2. It passes the "Century" test, but the creaks and squeaks are driving me crazy. I have taped the U-bolt at the found as recommended, and lubed the seatpost clamp, and beeswaxed the underside, but the noise continues! Any recommendations?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefnvk (Post 19874502)

That, and like pedals, everyone has something different that they like. Why equip a nice bike with a $100 saddle and a nice pair of pedals and increase the cost, when the majority of purchasers are immediately going to replace them with something else?

As to the saddle thing, it is personal, best you can do is just try a bunch until you find one you like. Don't discount anything because it doesn't hit a certain price point or perceived quality, my favorite came in pretty rough shape on an $85 vintage bike I bought that I decided to give a try instead of just throwing away. I now own a pile of that model for all my bikes, grabbing them off eBay when I can find them for $20-30. Would have never otherwise considered trying one, had it not been sitting in front of me.

All of that said, riding 60-80km a week in preparation for a trip you are riding that three times that distance in a day is probably not enough.

Just curious- what saddle are you referring to?

Quote:

Originally Posted by antmaster5000 (Post 20185627)

Just curious- what saddle are you referring to?

Avocet Touring. Got them on all my bikes excep the fatty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EthanBixby (Post 20178298)

...Selle Anatomica X-2...the creaks and squeaks are driving me crazy... Any recommendations?

First make sure it's the saddle that is source of objectionable noise. Go for a ride, and when you hear creak, ride out of saddle (OOS) momentarily without touching saddle, and observe if creak stops. If creak doesn't stop OOS, then something besides saddle is likely source of creak. Creaks in general indicate something is loose, broken or in need of cleaning and relube.

The source of creaks/squeaks are sometimes difficult to identify. I once swapped saddle, seatpost, BB, crankset and pedals looking for a noise, all to no avail. Eventually I got a flat rear tire and during repair discovered a loose cassette lockring (a new experience for me), which was the source of the elusive noise. I now always apply blue loctite whenever installing lockrings.

A quick google indicates SA saddles have some history of creaking, which mfg acknowledged and offered fix. Call SA for help, and let us know outcome. $175 saddles should not creak - my "cheap" B17 has never creaked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefnvk (Post 20185700)

Avocet Touring. Got them on all my bikes excep the fatty.

These were std equipment on Schwinn "touring" models for years (1970s-1980s). I have an Avocet Touring that's still in good shape from my 1982 Schwinn. Be careful shopping for one as foam rubber padding tends to degrade to powder over time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefnvk (Post 20185700)

Avocet Touring. Got them on all my bikes excep the fatty.

I used to have one of those on my ProTour- Great saddle! Replaced it with a brooks and for a while I regretted my decision. Now that I've "broken in" the brooks I am feeling a little more confident about the swap.

My other than Brooks, team pro, I used on a long tour was a San Marco Concor Max.. discontinued decades ago.

Since you^ brought it up, Selle San Marco Regal and SSM Rolls models can work for touring. They are the same dimensions, but the Rolls has more padding. I got my Rolls from Wiggle a few years back for $26 on sale.