Long distance saddle choice
02-19-18 | 02:15 PM
#51
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
From: Florida & upstate NY
Bikes: Paketa V2R tandem, Granite Tandem Design TI travel tandem, Lynskey R265, Specialized Diverge, and of course a unicycle
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?
02-22-18 | 08:01 PM
#52
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 153
Likes: 62
From: Seattle
Bikes: BMC TeamMachine, Surly Pacer, All City Big Block
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.
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.
02-23-18 | 12:35 PM
#54
-
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,865
Likes: 41
Bikes: yes!
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.
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.
Last edited by seeker333; 02-24-18 at 01:25 PM.
02-25-18 | 11:38 AM
#55
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 153
Likes: 62
From: Seattle
Bikes: BMC TeamMachine, Surly Pacer, All City Big Block
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