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creaky 14 y.o. saddle. Time for a new one?

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creaky 14 y.o. saddle. Time for a new one?

Old 06-21-22, 11:16 PM
  #1  
Symox
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creaky 14 y.o. saddle. Time for a new one?

I have a creak in my saddle when rocking side to side (exaggerates it) that's starting to bug me. I tried grease and wax lube in the rail to saddle shell interface with no luck. There is movement between the rails and the plastic interface to the saddle. Don't know if it's wear or supposed to do that. Saddle is 14 years old. Otherwise I've been happy with it

Is the saddle toast and time to get a new one? (My buddy says it is, I'm being cheap and cautious)

Its the original saddle that came with my 2007 Specialized Roubaix
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Old 06-22-22, 05:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Symox
I have a creak in my saddle when rocking side to side (exaggerates it) that's starting to bug me. I tried grease and wax lube in the rail to saddle shell interface with no luck. There is movement between the rails and the plastic interface to the saddle. Don't know if it's wear or supposed to do that. Saddle is 14 years old. Otherwise I've been happy with it

Is the saddle toast and time to get a new one? (My buddy says it is, I'm being cheap and cautious)

Its the original saddle that came with my 2007 Specialized Roubaix
if the rails are coming loose, then yes, get a new saddle. If you’re really attached to this one (and the top isn’t too worn), I suppose you could remove it and try dripping some epoxy into the holes where the frame rails enter the plastic, to see if you can stop things moving.
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Old 06-22-22, 05:51 AM
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I'd say it reached the end of its life, but it's hard to diagnose without seeing it.

Treat yourself and go to one of these shops that have a perfect-saddle-for-your-butt machine. A very good 150-200$ investment if you ask.
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Old 06-22-22, 01:56 PM
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Ended up going to my LBS. Owner was very helpful as I brought in my bike so he could recommend and install to the same setting. He checked my flexibility (which sucks) and adjusted the saddle height and position after watching me ride. He said he doesn't understand why people just come in and buy a saddle and install themselves as they often won't be happy if they don't get it fitted properly. He gave me a lot of tips to prevent neck and back pain

No extra charge. I'll be going there from now on

Got one of these: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/po...=233329-156800
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Old 06-22-22, 02:23 PM
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I have never met a saddle that doesn't start creaking over time. Will always be on the lookout for hacks that help solve that issue.
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Old 06-25-22, 10:19 AM
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Spray some synthetic lube where the rails meet the saddle shell. Should solve your problems.
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Old 09-25-22, 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Fox Farm
Spray some synthetic lube where the rails meet the saddle shell. Should solve your problems.
Any reason in particular for synthetic lube -- vs. eg. TriFlow or somesuch?
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Old 09-25-22, 08:54 AM
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What’s the expression? Creaking butts drive me nuts.
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Old 09-25-22, 09:00 AM
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In my experience about 50% of the time they can be fixed with good cleaning and a little lube in the right places. The other 50% get tossed.
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Old 09-25-22, 10:11 AM
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Well I had some creaking on my last ride that was quite bothersome. Sprayed some Triflow where the rear saddle rail enters the shell of the saddle itself. Removed creaking with just a hand-compress testing of rail to saddle top which could be heard previously. I guess was just wondering if there's any common issue of some sorts of lubricants/carrier dissolving any epoxy that might (?) be used in the rail/saddle junction -- iow could this be a temporary fix that just makes things worse longer term?
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Old 09-25-22, 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Symox
Ended up going to my LBS. Owner was very helpful as I brought in my bike so he could recommend and install to the same setting. He checked my flexibility (which sucks) and adjusted the saddle height and position after watching me ride. He said he doesn't understand why people just come in and buy a saddle and install themselves as they often won't be happy if they don't get it fitted properly. He gave me a lot of tips to prevent neck and back pain

No extra charge. I'll be going there from now on

Got one of these: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/po...=233329-156800
so, 2 months later... whatz the verdict ? what size did you get?
Ride On
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Old 09-25-22, 06:49 PM
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14 years was well time for replacement regardless of creaking— which was probably a crack in the shell— because I don’t know what kind of foam or padding wouldn’t have lost loft and resiliency in that time, ceasing to pad as it did when new.

And before someone starts in on the benefits of a slung leather saddle like Brooks, Ideale, or Anatomica…yeah, I know!
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Old 09-25-22, 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by cyclezen
so, 2 months later... whatz the verdict ? what size did you get?
Ride On
Yuri
I'm very happy with it, much nicer saddle than what I had actually
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