At first glance, the saddle appears to be one of the most low-maintenance parts of a bike. After all, it’s just a seat with no moving parts. However, problems can occur and some of them can have serious safety ramifications. Here are a few ways to keep your saddle and seat post in good shape.
• Make sure you haven’t exceeded the seat post limit-line. The seat post is the pole beneath the saddle that attaches to the frame. Seat posts are made to be adjustable to accommodate riders of varying heights and builds. The limit-line is the maximum point the seat post can be raised up to safely. It should be clearly marked on the side of the seat post.
• Make sure your seat post is not over-extended. You should not need to extend your seat post past its limit-line to ride comfortably. If you do, you may need a longer seat post or a bigger bike. As a general rule, at least two inches of your seat post should be inside your frame.
• Check your saddle regularly to ensure it’s properly positioned and secured. While holding your bike steady, grasp your saddle firmly and attempt to move it out of position. Some side-to-side movement may occur, but if your saddle feels too loose or your seat post shifts up and down it should be adjusted. Most saddles are held on by a few nuts and bolts that can be easily tightened when necessary.
• Regularly remove and grease your seat post. In order to prevent your seat post rusting and seizing into your frame, it’s necessary to regularly remove it and coating it in a thin layer of grease before re-installing it.
• Clean your saddle. To keep your saddle in good condition, give in an occasional wash and coat it in a UV protective material. Most seats can be washed with soap and water but some will require specific cleaners depending on their material.
Follow these tips and you’ll be ready to take on MS Bike in comfort and safety! If you have saddle maintenance tips you’d like to share, head over to our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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