Leather saddles squeak in cold weather
01-02-18, 05:30 PM
#1
Pedalin' Erry Day
Thread Starter
Leather saddles squeak in cold weather
I was debating posting this here or in the winter cycling forum, but I think it's more likely to find an answer from the C&V crowd...
I have two commuter bikes with leather saddles (both Velo Orange #6, a Gyes clone of a Brooks Swallow) that get ridden in cold weather, and once the temperature drops below 15-20 (f), riding on the saddle produces a rather annoying squeaking noise with every pedal stroke. My best guess is that this happens because in the cold, the saddle rails contract slightly, just enough that the tension on the saddle decreases to the point that the nose comes just loose enough to rock back and forth.
My question is this: will I damage the leather if I add enough to tension to keep the saddle taut when it's really cold out? My commuting bikes get stored in a garage that's not heated, but warm enough that when I start a ride from home, the saddles are warm enough that they don't squeak until I've been outside for a while. My worry is that the leather will be damaged by the stretching that will occur as the saddle rails expand... Alternatively, am I doing any harm to the saddle by riding it slightly under tensioned?
Here's a picture of one of the bikes in question from a few months ago (I would have taken a winter-appropriate picture with snow in the background, but we haven't had any where I live yet).
I have two commuter bikes with leather saddles (both Velo Orange #6, a Gyes clone of a Brooks Swallow) that get ridden in cold weather, and once the temperature drops below 15-20 (f), riding on the saddle produces a rather annoying squeaking noise with every pedal stroke. My best guess is that this happens because in the cold, the saddle rails contract slightly, just enough that the tension on the saddle decreases to the point that the nose comes just loose enough to rock back and forth.
My question is this: will I damage the leather if I add enough to tension to keep the saddle taut when it's really cold out? My commuting bikes get stored in a garage that's not heated, but warm enough that when I start a ride from home, the saddles are warm enough that they don't squeak until I've been outside for a while. My worry is that the leather will be damaged by the stretching that will occur as the saddle rails expand... Alternatively, am I doing any harm to the saddle by riding it slightly under tensioned?
Here's a picture of one of the bikes in question from a few months ago (I would have taken a winter-appropriate picture with snow in the background, but we haven't had any where I live yet).
01-02-18, 07:57 PM
#2
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Before you over-tighten things, I would suggest that you try some carbon assembly paste or grease on the saddle rails. I was able to cure an intermittent saddle squeak that way.
01-02-18, 08:30 PM
#3
Senior Member
My Brooks Pro used to squeak until i melted some proofide and dribbled a bit in between the nose metal stamped thing and the leather. Took off the seat first and turned it upside down. Not a squeak since. Someone here posted that cure a long time ago I think. Thanks to whoever it was. There are other possible sources of squeakage, but if it's between the metal frame and the leather, that should help.
01-03-18, 06:45 AM
#4
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Ride in warmer weather.
01-03-18, 07:50 AM
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....... My best guess is that this happens because in the cold, the saddle rails contract slightly, just enough that the tension on the saddle decreases to the point that the nose comes just loose enough to rock back and forth.
My question is this: will I damage the leather if I add enough to tension to keep the saddle taut when it's really cold out? My commuting bikes get stored in a garage that's not heated, but warm enough that when I start a ride from home, the saddles are warm enough that they don't squeak until I've been outside for a while. My worry is that the leather will be damaged by the stretching that will occur as the saddle rails expand... Alternatively, am I doing any harm to the saddle by riding it slightly under tensioned?
My question is this: will I damage the leather if I add enough to tension to keep the saddle taut when it's really cold out? My commuting bikes get stored in a garage that's not heated, but warm enough that when I start a ride from home, the saddles are warm enough that they don't squeak until I've been outside for a while. My worry is that the leather will be damaged by the stretching that will occur as the saddle rails expand... Alternatively, am I doing any harm to the saddle by riding it slightly under tensioned?
In fact, I've got a B.17 that squeaks a bit at the nose, which I suspect is the nose piece rubbing on the frame rail. It only happens when I'm pedaling hard. I probably should put some lube on it, but I tend to forget about it. It's been doing it for a couple of years, and doesn't seem to be hurting anything. Heaven knows there's enough steel there to last another 100 years at this rate of wear!
Curiously, the B.17 on my bad weather bike is quite silent, despite being ridden in the rain and snow and heat. It's got more miles on it, so I don't think that tension is a factor in this case. Here's a shot on a typical ride....
Steve in Peoria
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01-03-18, 11:43 AM
#7
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A few years ago, I had several wipe outs on the ice that seem to have dampened my ideas about winter riding.
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01-03-18, 12:40 PM
#8
Pedalin' Erry Day
Thread Starter
Thanks for the idea, I just went out and applied a little grease where the rails and the nose assembly meet up.
Now I just have to wait a bit to find out if that solves the problem, the weather here has been unseasonably warm and it's supposed to stay that way for the next seven days...
Now I just have to wait a bit to find out if that solves the problem, the weather here has been unseasonably warm and it's supposed to stay that way for the next seven days...
09-11-23, 07:11 PM
#9
FreedomRider
My Brooks saddle squeak solution (on my B67s and Champion Flyer)? Slide a 1/4" ID , 1/2" OS, 1/8" thick nylon washer for Brooks Saddle (white) between the tension shackle and the tension pin stop. I can't post photos yet (new to the forum), but when I can , I will!
09-14-23, 08:00 AM
#10
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09-14-23, 09:46 AM
#11
FreedomRider
OK, now I can post photos ... slide a 1/4" ID , 1/2" OS, 1/8" thick nylon washer for (white) between the tension shackle and the tension pin stop. On newer sprung saddles, you may not have enough width for the washer until you have a few thousand of miles of stretch ... so, use a thin piece of plastic instead ...
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