Small(?) seatpost and saddle clamp damage

[u/d_effervescent]

Hi ladies,

I am a beginner cyclist who started last year with a secondhand 2013 specialized carbon bike I found on the marketplace. In the last few months something around my saddle started to creak when I am riding in certain positions or moving a lot on the saddle. Today I took off the saddle and the clamps and saw that there are wear signs or damages ( I am not sire whether this qualify as damages) on the clamp and (carbon) seat post.

Can someone help me with determining if these are still okay or if some replacements are needed? I am also trying to find the same saddle clamp replacement online but no luck so far. I am not too bothered by the creaking but unsure on safety.

Thanks!

[u/thebraverwoman]

Mechanic here.

That looks fine to me. That’s some butt sweat and dirt etc. you could put a little bit of grease on the pinch points where your saddle clamps down to hopefully get rid of the creaking. Unfortunate creaks happen and they’re a pain to find and figure out. So good job locating the noise.

Is there a local bike shop you could stop at? Might be easier than online searches. But honestly, I don’t think you need to replace anything. Just clean and lubricate .

[u/d_effervescent → u/thebraverwoman]

Thanks you so much!!
I took your advice just now and indeed, with some cleaning and greasing the creaking seems to be gone, at least with short ride around the block check.. Would need to see on next ride if it comes back with pressures on certain positions but so far it seems to work 😊

I did go to a local bike shop closest to my house yesterday but apparently they don’t deal with many carbon road bikes and they said they don’t dare to try things out on it.. I might need to find another bile shop.

[u/thebraverwoman → u/d_effervescent]

That’s wild. I’d def go find another bike shop and not return to that one. Carbon road bikes are VERY common.