maartendc

Hello,

I know carbon railed saddles are usually lighter, but I was wondering about comfort. I have heard many things about the supposed "vibration dampening" qualities of carbon fiber handlebars versus alloy handlebars, due to the material properties.

Does the same apply to saddles with carbon fiber rails? Or carbon fiber shells? Are these supposed to be more comfortable because they transmit less vibrations to your posterior than a titanium or aluminum railed saddle?

Or is the opposite true? Are the carbon rails stiffer, and therefore less comfortable? Or does it vary from saddle to saddle?

Thanks!

TimothyH

Carbon saddle rails are for weight.

Carbon, or any other shell or rail material can be as stiff or compliant as the designer wants and depending on how it is manufactured.

I have a Fabric Scoop saddle on my gravel bike with a carbon shell specifically designed to flex and absorb vibration.


-Tim-

DrIsotope

CF rails do indeed lessen the amount of road buzz that makes it to your posterior. The CF-rail Serfas Ghost I rode for a few thousand miles was noticeably more comfortable than similar saddles with Ti or CroMo rails... right up until the saddle broke. I now no longer care about weight or appearance, and have Sella Anatomica on everything. As comfortable as it gets.

Seattle Forrest

The OP asked a general question about how materials perform and not for a specific saddle rec, but, @maartendc, if you're looking for a recommendation, I have to second this.

I can't say personally for saddle rails. As far as materials go, I get sharper long exposure night photos from my 3 lbs carbon fiber tripod than my 10 lbs metal Manfrotto.

mpath

OP, it depends. There's not one particular component that reduces "vibration dampening"; tires/tire pressure would make the biggest difference IMO. Forks, handlebar, seat post, etc. all contribute to varying degrees.

That said, I do ride on a carbon saddle with carbon rails (Selle Italia Tekno), and I can do centuries without a sore butt (and I think bike fit is also part of it).

HTupolev

Stiffness isn't the only important property. Suspension systems use both springs and dampers so that they system not only bends in response to stress, but also rebounds smoothly and stably.

woodcraft

On mine, the rails are quite flexible- spring like,

but others have said that their carbon saddle rails were very stiff.

Psimet2001 

Definitely more comfortable. They help make your wallet thinner - making it easier to sit on them.

fietsbob

Mean All Carbon, ? or like the Brooks C13, carbon frame under the rubber flexible tensioned top..?


Fizik makes light enough saddles for me, without fancy carbon rails.. but for comfort, I have used my Brooks team pro for 35 years..


I did not care for the slot down the center selle anatomica, at all ..




...

Mike F

The guy who did my fitting here in San Diego highly recommends them. He swears by them. Maybe my next purchase

DrIsotope

A bystander might say your fitter may be biased as Selle Anatomica is in Poway, but I'd say call 'em up and see if you can head over and try some saddles out.

Mike F

Thanks

And a sale too

https://selleanatomica.com/collections/x-series

Doge

I haven't had reports on seat rails. Didn't even think about it till this thread. I own about half and half. A carbon vs other post is noticeable.

Doge

Great looking. I'm a Brooks guy, but can see that may be an improvement, although pretty heavy. 6X heavier than my kids favorite seat.

SSRI

Lol Nice one.

Kontact 

Carbon is a poor material for clamping seat posts to, so it generally has to be made much stronger and stiffer than a metal rail to make up for its low compressive strength.

Saddles that use isolation mounts where the rail attaches are going to transmit the least vibration.

Helolumpy

I was looking at new saddles and could only find anecdotal evidence (mostly people’s personal opinion) on the ride difference between two saddles, one with Ti rails compared to CF rails. (NOTE: the shell is a different issue). In the end, the only fact I could validate was that the CF railed model was lighter, but I never found a side by side comparison of two identical saddles but with different rail materials.
I diecided to go with the Ti rails and save myself $70.

ReneV

I bought a $20 CF-only 95g saddle off a popular auction site, just to see. It is probably the hardest bike component I have. Weirdly, it's quite comfortable but it has a narrower range of comfortable positions than other saddles I've tried. I tend to use a Fabric Scoop with CF rails and base because it's comfortable no matter how I try to sit on it, seemingly due to some form of flexibility.

Doge

I just ordered one - with carbon rails.

Mike F

I saw that option I ordered the X2 chrome rails. I turn 56 next month, comfort has finally over taken the weight weenie in me

Sy Reene

Ok, so you're saying chrome rails are more comfortable than Ti or Carbon?

Mike F

Not in the least... I have carbon on a Touoe now but...the saddle make up and design. Its in the junk.... although the thread "derailed". Im talking nut sack, taint, wang, one eyed wonder snake, john thomas, pecker, dork, meat stick, short arm, the boys, dong, crank, bologna pony, wiener, etc.. you could have gold rails don't mean nothing if Mr Happy is numb

woodcraft

Getting older but refusing to grow up?

Mike F

That's the ticket my friend

Doge

I am 56. I like the carbon as they are lighter, and maybe are cooler. I might be replacing a Ti Brooks Swift maybe eBay 2X the price.
I figured at least I'd hold it and then decide.

I think the rail *material*s are not relevant to comfort.

Edit: Added materials after @jamesdak correction.