Bicycle Saddles - Rails
How a Bicycle Saddle Functions
To understand bicycle saddle rails, let’s look at how the whole bike saddle functions. Consider your last ride. When you hit a bump the saddle cover material flexes, the foam compresses and cushions, the base flexes, and the rails flex. These elements work together so that the bicycle saddle absorbs the energy in the bump instead of transmitting it to the rider.
Bicycle Saddle Rails Are Like Leaf Springs
The leaf spring design is simple, reasonably lightweight, durable, and inexpensive. The rails of a well designed bicycle saddle should flex like leaf springs. As such they possess the same properties advantages and disadvantages as leaf springs. Stronger springs are stiffer, absorb less energy, and have a poor ride quality. Flexible springs absorb more energy and have a nicer ride but are not as strong. Being a spring, the bicycle saddle rails will fatigue and can break. Excess weight and improper mounting can cause the rails to break prematurely. Typically rails from Chinese manufacturers are strong but very stiff and harsh to ride.
Oklahoma Bicycle Society:
Saddle Rails
created by John Wente
last modified:
August 10, 2007
URL: http://www.OklahomaBicycleSociety.com