7.04.2024 Contec saddle frame critique continued.

 ~o~

  Sunday 7th 53F/12C. Very heavily overcast and a very wet morning. A northeasterly going stream should slide away after 10am. Threat of sunshine later. Up at 6.20 after a quiet night.

This is the text directly copied from Contec's own website describing its "Exclusive Touring Men's" saddle:

"Harmonious suspension at the saddle end with 2 built-in springs ensures comfortable sitting. The springs effectively dampen every impact.  

Furthermore, the rails made of chromium-molybdenum steel offer secure and comfortable support. The high-quality alloy ensures that the rails remain impact and crack-resistant. 

The saddle does not require a plain seatpost clamp, it is suitable for use with a modern seatposts, in which the post and the clamp form a single unit.

The assembly of the saddle and post is more durable with modern seatposts than with multi-part clamps. This fulfills a further aspect in terms of high-quality seating comfort: A permanently vibration-resistant saddle angle." 

 Strangely, it does not mention the nicks at every saddle frame bend. Caused by the dies of the wire frame bending machine. Making it highly prone to breakage many miles from home! As happened to me. So that the saddle made a loud knocking noise and rocked sideways with each turn of the pedals. The frame had broken at the saddle nose. Fortunately, for me, it was the under-frame which snapped and not the seatpost support frame. 

 The easiest way to break hard, spring wire is to dent it. The dent causes a local stress point. Repeated flexure will then snap the wire at the dent. There is no need to cut right through the hard material. Which cannot be cut with a normal hacksaw. Only grinding or a disk cutter will penetrate the hard surface. Piano wire is a common springy wire used for making models. It exhibits the same qualities as Contec's spring wire, saddle frame. 

 10.25 It stopped raining round 10am and now the sun is trying to break through. I might have a ride into town.

 13.30 60F/15.6C. Sunshine and gales. Returning from a ride into town. 30km/19miles. It was a struggle going there into the headwind. The cycle lane was completely flooded but i  didn't need to go that way. 

 It was almost as bad coming back with a cross wind. My way was blocked by flooding on a narrow lane. I started into the water but quickly ran out of forward motion. It was much deeper than I had guessed. So I had to pedal to keep going. My right foot went right under the water and then the left! It was bløødy cold! Fortunately I was on my way back by then. The B67 saddle needs to be tipped slightly more nose up.  

 The greenhouse is showing 100F/38C despite the wind whistling through the gaps. So I have opened the internal windows to warm the house. I shall have to fit the shade nets soon but can guarantee it will be warm and sunny again for ages if I do.

 Dinner was salad. No tomatoes. I forgot to buy more. The 14+ minutes of boiling the eggs was slightly too much. They were fine but 12 minutes is the gold yolk standard.

  ~o~