Saddle Creaking Part 2: Temp OR Permanent Fix

You have creaking or squeak coming from the bike saddle (seat) or seat post. You’re not sure. The first things to do are to clean the seatpost and seatpost clamp and, also clean and lubricate the saddle clamp - we link to those videos at the end. If the crak persists and it is more noticeable when moving side to side on the saddle, it’s probably the saddle itself. And there are two fixes for creaking saddle and you need to choose, at the onset, one or the other:
1. A temporary fix: Flip the bike over and lubricate the rails where they enter the saddle using a light lubricant which will penetrate along the saddle rails. This will have to be repeated periodically to decrease the creaking noise
2. Or a permanent fix to eliminate saddle creaking: Using a slow setting epoxy. Let’s see how this is done.
You'll need a clean / dry / saddle that has never been oiled where the rails meet the saddle structure. If previously oiled, residual oils will interfere with the epoxy and prevent the epoxy from sticking to the rails and saddle. If wet, moisture can get blocked up in the saddle by the epoxy and lead to rust or corrosion.
1. Epoxy: I use C-Poxy 13 ($11.33 from Amazon) for several reasons. It comes in two tubes (an epoxy and a hardener) which are less likely to dry up than a single container, it allows me 30 minutes to work before it begins to set (which is better than the usual “5 minute” epoxy, and it's relatively cheap at less than $12.
2. Clean cloth
3. Either a couple of sticks or as I have here, 2 popsicle sticks - one of which I cut to be tapper for application
4. An old jar lid I screwed on to a piece of scrap wood such that when I use the drier, the lid won't blow away
5. Another piece of scrap wood to hold under your homemade applicator do prevent drips onto the saddle surface
6. A hair drier (a heat gun would also work
Add equal amounts of the two epoxy tubes.
Mix about 1-2 minutes.
Then use the hair drier to heat while you keep mixing another minute or so until the liquid becomes less viscous (maybe another minute or so).
Apply all around where the rails enter the bicycle saddle and let dry overnight. Now install bike saddle and take it for a ride. Hopefully you have eliminate saddle creaking.
If you only notice creaking after install bike saddle (provided you have cleaned the seat clamp and seat rails as well as put carbon fiber compound on clamp), it's most likely the saddle creaking itself and you may want to consider the options above.
Additional video clip of "Bicycle Reverse Wheelie" royalty free from Pexels

[@tony10speed]

Only use epoxy in a well ventilated area and avoid skin contact. The epoxy, in my experience, avoid the necessity of re-lubricating the rails at periodic intervals, but does take more time to apply.

[@dpstrial]

When I had a leather Brooks saddle, I was often annoyed by creaking caused by the nose cover portion rubbing against the rails.

[@tony10speed]

Were you ever able to stop the rubbing?

[@dpstrial]

@@tony10speed Yes, I rubbed lots of dubbin into the leather and bent it back as much as I could, and it stopped.

[@noahmiller2604]

Is there a particular lubricant for the saddle rails that's better then others?

[@tony10speed]

I use a light lubricant such as Tri-Flow Superior Lubricant since it easily penetrates along the rail entries to the saddle itself and has a long detachable nozzle to pin point application. Any similar light lubricant would work.

[@terryhubbard18]

Won't the heat from the hair drier make the epoxy harden faster?

[@tony10speed]

Since you only apply the heat from the hair drier for a minute or so and then immediately apply the epoxy to the saddle rail entries (with the C-Poxy 30), one seems to still have plenty of time. Good question, thanks.

[@kylearias9339]

How often do you have to repeat adding lubricant to the rails with your temporary fix?

[@tony10speed]

No define answer. Varies with the saddle and the miles you put on each week. May be as often as weekly or as little as every other month.

[@krinkedsurface]

For me it’s every week

[@tony10speed]

Sounds like it's time for a better quality saddle. It maybe worth the price. I prefer Sella Italia, but your best bet is to look at the saddles at your local bike shop and make sure you get one that is sized for your saddle bone with and meets your standards of comfort.@@krinkedsurface

[@danieladams8723]

Can't you rinse out the oil from the rails, dry and use the epoxy method?

[@tony10speed]

I've tried but had little success. The rinse liquid always seems to contain some oily material. I've tried soap and water, degreaser, isopropyl alcohol and more.

[@siclmn]

Take some brakes part cleaner and spray out where the rail meets the saddle, be generous and then use your compressed air and blow it all out. Now you can use the epoxy.

[@tylercollins4640]

Does creaking mean the saddle can break or bend?

[@tony10speed]

I have not seen that happen with a creaking saddle. To me, it's just annoying and masks other noises that I need to pay attention to.

[@hugoscott8569]

Is this a common problem with saddles?

[@tony10speed]

No. It seems to occur with certain brands, especially cheaper foreign made saddles.

[@mikedorsey7785]

Do you need much epoxy?

[@tony10speed]

Very little. Just enough to surround the rails where they enter the saddle.

[@guyboyd9226]

Why not try the oil on the rails first - save you a lot of work?

[@tony10speed]

You can but would have to remove the oil for the epoxy to work. I have not been very successful in washing out the oil but it may be able to be done. Any residual oil interferes with the setting of the epoxy.

[@JRd941]

6 times out of 10 I think the BB is creaking and it turns out being the saddle.

[@tony10speed]

And sometimes I think it's the saddle and it turns out to be the headset. Bicycle noise travels in odd directions along the frame. Regards and safe cycling, Tony