You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I tried the search function but didn't have much luck.
Got 3 saddles that are looking tired but nothing a new cover wouldn't fix.
But what material to go for? Leather or marine upholstery vinyl... They are going on MTB/CX bike so it they need to be hard-wearing and easily cleaned without degradation.
Once the material is sorted, what glue. Found an online tutorial that suggested barge tf cement is best, bit can't find it in UK.
Any suggestions appreciated, ta
Years ago a friend worked recovering motorcycle seatcovers. He did a few bike saddles too. He used the old cover as a template and when it came to attaching the new cover he stapled it to the 'carcass'. I cant recall the materials used but it was pretty comfy and looked great. Thought about trying it myself but not sure I'd have the patience.
done it a few times using fake leather* and acual leather.
clean an dry. spray on contact adehsive. the nose it a pain in the hoop, work from both side forwards towards it. never used staple as on had a plastic finishing piece undereath and the others didn't have a significant lip so stayed put. you'll need short staple if you do use them.
More important than the material is the lurid colour... this was purple crocodile...
oh yeah. yes use the old as a template but give youself some wiggle allround.
i drew a line down the middle of the back of the material last time and plonked the saddle on it, that gave me a square starting point last time i did it.
Thanks for the advice.
I'm afraid it's going to be black, not sure I can pull off purple crocodile skin.
One of my first aftermarket saddles had a red Kevlar style material, I thought it was great until it got wet and it was like a sponge.
Buy some automotive vinyl from an automotive trim supplier, e.g. Segal Motor Trim in Manchester. Also a big tube of Evo-Stik and some remover. Do the job somewhere warm so the vinyl is nice and soft and stretchy. Make the rest up as you go along, the result will be better than you expect.
I use 3m contact adhesive meant for sticking car head liners.
It’s actually pretty easy to do but getting some nice material is the challenge.
I’ve recovered a couple of SDG bel Airs.
The best tip I would suggest is don’t get material that it too thick. I used leather both times and the thinner very slightly stretchy stuff was way easier than the thicker stuff.
I used normal contact adhesive from a tube and spread with a bit of plastic worked find. Clamped the edges with bulldog clips overnight and trimmed afterwards. I think the production saddles are stapled to make them quick to produce - my recovered saddles have survived many miles in all sorts of weather without the covers peeling despite only using glue.
On another note (slight hi-jack) any tips for colouring a saddle? I've got a Fizik Tundra M3 that's really comfy (for me), but the back end is white and the front black, I want the back end black also. Don't want to re-cover it as I like the little orange cut-outs.
I routinely colour the white bit in with a Sharpie Magnum, but it wears off after a bit.
Interesting thread. I have a rigid carbon saddle and have thought about just cutting out some self adhesive neoprene or maybe EVA 3-5mm foam "pads" for extra comfort. Cheap, waterproof, simple. However, it seems you also care about aesthetics ... 🙂
Steve - you can buy leather dye which is used for car seats which should be ok as long as your saddle is leather!!
Use thin leather at least 1/2" larger all around than the original. Leather remnants are available on ebay. I use spray adhesive for the main areas of the saddle.
Once you fold it around the bottom edge, use contact cement on the underside of the saddle. I wasn't able to staple; I used the contact cement with a row of binder clips and that worked fine.
That fizik is going to be coated leather or vinyl. Leather die won't work as it needs to be the "natural*" leather surface. You get paint etc but that'll rub off.
My advice would be just to sit down on it and forget.
*Natural with alll the nasty toxic chemicals used to cure it...
Thanks for all the advise folks
http://www.southlondonsaddles.com/blockquote >
Tried to drop them a line, bounced back, Instagram deactivated, Twitter out of date.
Are they still trading?Cheers!
I.
if you go on the pittards website they sell leather offcuts for various model type things, they were helpful and sent me a bit big enough to redo a few saddles for not much money.
Can a thread be bookmarked? some awesome advice here.