Some of you might remember the carbon handlebar/F-150 torture test I did a while back. The carbon handlebar passed with flying colors. This time it's a full carbon saddle. This saddle is a Chinese brand, relatively easy to find and costs about $30.
First I tested it on my hard tail. I torqued the rails in a standard seat clamp that clamps top and bottom at about 12nm. It held up fine. Although very firm/slick and ridiculously lightweight, I didn't notice any durability issues or unusual noises.
Ok, onto the real test.
Ford F-150 (weight 5000 lbs.)
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) Full carbon saddle (approximately 90 grams/3.17 ounces)
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) Saddle in appropriate position for testing
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) As I eased the front tire onto the saddle I heard a crunching noise. I let it sit for about 15 seconds. The saddle disappeared under the tire flat as a pancake.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) As I rolled off of it things didn't look too bad. Except for a few tire marks, the seating surface looked completely intact and practically undamaged.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) But of course I was curious about the rails. They didn't fair so well. One was completely snapped, the other was hanging on by a thread. And the front where the rails integrate into the saddle body was completely detached.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) Moving the broken rails slightly, the entire rail structure separated from the saddle body.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) Fail.
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Full carbon saddle vs. F-150 torture test (Read 636 times)