Another Saddle Failure
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Another Saddle Failure
My second favorite saddle, 1986 Turbo, finally gave up the ghost. Cracked at the nose. I have had it on a bike since 86 and there are untold miles on it. Have one left in the stash, and it has seen little use. Should go for another 20 years and take me to the grave.
#3
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sad saddle story?
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#4
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Happy...trails? Enjoy.
#5
Full Member
Very nice..... I do have a question though. I don't remember where I put something a year ago, how in hades can you find a bike saddle 33 years after stashing it? LOL
#6
Senior Member
Speaking of a broken saddle....
I fell the other day (own stupidity, no damage to me) but I heard a CRACK when landing.... I got up and found my saddle had cracked down the center (one of those hollow center types)
All the years of riding I'd never broken a saddle, and for the life of me couldn't understand how this could happen. I guess I squeezed it too much or something when I landed on my side, the saddle never touched the ground.
Just for yuks I sent a note to the manufacturer support group. 'was totally honest as it was definitely my own fault. They got right back to me and said that while it's not a warranty issue, they were sending me a new replacement.
'can't complain about that! I promised the support person I'd never fall again.. but I said that last year, and the year before... and possibly at least once every year since whenever........
I fell the other day (own stupidity, no damage to me) but I heard a CRACK when landing.... I got up and found my saddle had cracked down the center (one of those hollow center types)
All the years of riding I'd never broken a saddle, and for the life of me couldn't understand how this could happen. I guess I squeezed it too much or something when I landed on my side, the saddle never touched the ground.
Just for yuks I sent a note to the manufacturer support group. 'was totally honest as it was definitely my own fault. They got right back to me and said that while it's not a warranty issue, they were sending me a new replacement.
'can't complain about that! I promised the support person I'd never fall again.. but I said that last year, and the year before... and possibly at least once every year since whenever........
#7
Jedi Master
I have those turbo remakes on 3 of my bikes. One of them has over 7k miles on it already. Seems to be just getting broken in.
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1986? If my mom were still alive and something like that happened to her she would say "They don't make 'em like they used to." She said something like that every time a decades old major appliance finally had to be replaced. "Mom. The dryer is 35 years old. I think you got your money's worth."
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33 years on one saddle? I remember my great-aunt complaining in the early 1980s about the shoddy telephone that had to be replaced (Ma Bell did it for free, but still...) It was one of those you see in the movies, lift the ear piece off the rack and talk into the microphone on the central post, turn it upside down to dial. I think it had been in her house since the 20's.
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#11
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Thread Starter
"I have those turbo remakes on 3 of my bikes. One of them has over 7k miles on it already. Seems to be just getting broken in. "
Yes, the Turbo saddles take a while to break in, longer than a Brooks Professional, but once they do I find them to be a good fit for my rear end. I have toyed with the idea of getting one of the new ones, but I still have an old one left in the stash that has very few miles on it. I am also playing with a Brooks Professional right now to see if I can still handle that wide of a saddle.
Was thinking about a Cambium, but my son who weighs the same as me has one and it is shot after only 2 seasons and 12 thousand miles. Not good enough for my liking.
Yes, the Turbo saddles take a while to break in, longer than a Brooks Professional, but once they do I find them to be a good fit for my rear end. I have toyed with the idea of getting one of the new ones, but I still have an old one left in the stash that has very few miles on it. I am also playing with a Brooks Professional right now to see if I can still handle that wide of a saddle.
Was thinking about a Cambium, but my son who weighs the same as me has one and it is shot after only 2 seasons and 12 thousand miles. Not good enough for my liking.
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I've been using a Selle Italia Max Flite for the last ~16 years. Getting close to transparent in a few spots, and some duct tape reinforcements, but still super comfortable. It's got a few years left in it, but I'm dread looking for a replacement as comfortable.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Unlike a Brooks or other full leather saddle, the Turbo or Max Flite saddles cannot be rebuilt other than a new cover glued on. If the seat pan cracks such as what happened to mine, it is end of the line.
Had an Hinault model Turbo saddle with aluminum rails and one rail cracked. The Turbomatic I had with magnesium rails also had a rail failure. Two standard Turbo saddles with cracked pans. Each saddle had at least 20,000 miles, with this last one seeing more than that.
Had an Hinault model Turbo saddle with aluminum rails and one rail cracked. The Turbomatic I had with magnesium rails also had a rail failure. Two standard Turbo saddles with cracked pans. Each saddle had at least 20,000 miles, with this last one seeing more than that.