Bontrager seat goes snap, crackle, pop.
07-21-23, 07:04 PM
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Bontrager seat goes snap, crackle, pop.
Last summer, I purchased a Bontrager 'Commuter' bike seat and post. Lately, the seat/post is making a lot of 'snap, crackle, pop' noises. I have taken it apart and put it back together, and get the same results. Both of the adjusting screws are very tight. What's really strange is that when I start out on a ride, it is quiet. It is not until several miles later that the noises start up. Not sure if my body heat 'activates' the noises. I'm not a fat dude, my weight is 150 lb. 
I like the seat and really don't want to get another one. Should I just get a different seat post? If so, what would you recommend?
I like the seat and really don't want to get another one. Should I just get a different seat post? If so, what would you recommend?
07-21-23, 08:16 PM
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Welcome to BF. Is the post alloy or carbon, do you have any grease on the seat post , and is close to minimum insertion point?
07-21-23, 08:29 PM
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Soak it in milk; it'll quit making noise pretty quickly.
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07-21-23, 09:15 PM
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07-22-23, 06:14 AM
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Just to be clear, the noises are all coming from where the seat attaches to the post, and not where the post is inserted in the frame.
07-22-23, 07:29 AM
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Chasing creaks is frustrating and where you think it is coming from could be way off. I was chasing what I thought was a headset bearing, but it was actually a loose chain ring bolts that echoed up through the frame. I had a brake hose tapping in my handlebar that took me months to figure out, so you never know. Might want to add just a very dab of grease on the post to rule that out and try a bit of electric tape on the seat rails to see if there metal on metal noise.
07-22-23, 08:13 AM
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Are you certain it's not just your bibbs or shorts getting wet as you get sweaty and rubbing on the saddle making noises?
07-22-23, 08:25 AM
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I'm guessing it's your saddle rails and where they integrate into the saddle's mold. Try squirting some wd40 or dry silicone spray into those 4 points.
07-22-23, 08:48 AM
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The problem with saddles is that they are not meant to be user-serviceable. They're made to be discarded once the parts wear out.
I'm guessing you have parts which do not mate well. It could be general wear, poor design or materials, but in the end, it really doesn't matter. Noise is noise.
You could try to track down the noise, but I suggest a different option.
Ditch this saddle pronto and find a comfortable one that doesn't produce noise. Plenty to choose these days. A noisy saddle is just no fun.
I'm guessing you have parts which do not mate well. It could be general wear, poor design or materials, but in the end, it really doesn't matter. Noise is noise.
You could try to track down the noise, but I suggest a different option.
Ditch this saddle pronto and find a comfortable one that doesn't produce noise. Plenty to choose these days. A noisy saddle is just no fun.
07-22-23, 02:16 PM
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Try greasing the saddle rails where they contact the seat post clamps. Try a drop of lube where the saddle rails enter the saddle (front and back). If the seat post has a separate "head" that is inserted into the post, apply lightweight lube where the head enters the post. And for goodness sake, grease the post in the frame!
07-22-23, 02:22 PM
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Borrow a saddle or get cheap one and try swapping it out. I've had saddles creak where they are bonded to the rails.
But yeah, creaks on bikes are a pain to track down.
But yeah, creaks on bikes are a pain to track down.
