Ergon SM-E Core Prime saddle crash

[Rickster]

I had a bad crash yesterday which put me over a steep drop into a canyon. Luckily, I had minor scrapes and bruises but my new seat didn't fair so well.
Have a look at the back rail, it has popped out of the base and I haven't had any luck putting it back in ! Im open to any suggestions or ideas how to get it back in. Removing the cover screw at the top doesn't do anything.

 

[LautSprecher]

Looks bend. I would get a new one.

 

[Rickster]

Looks bend. I would get a new one.

It's only a week old

 

[LautSprecher]

It's only a week old

Sad. But Safety should be priority number one. In case you get it back in place you do not know if the steel is weakened and will burst In a riding situation you do not want to burst it.
Ever had a plain rod in your….? but maybe your right, some people pay 50 bucks to experience that.

 

[Rickster]

Sad. But Safety should be priority number one. In case you get it back in place you do not know if the steel is weakened and will burst In a riding situation you do not want to burst it.
Ever had a plain rod in your….? but maybe your right, some people pay 50 bucks to experience that.

Haha $50 is one thing but on this side of the Pond the seat is over $200

 

[Mikerb]

The rail will not be weakened but the only way I can see of getting it back into that rear rear locating point is to cut that location hole open and then using something like araldite to fix the part cut off back on. Providing whatever glue you use holds it should be OK but I would subject it to some rigourous testing before riding with it.
Your only alternative is to see if you can get a refund from either the shop you bought it from or Ergon themselves. Maybe try that route first!!

 

[Rickster]

The rail will not be weakened but the only way I can see of getting it back into that rear rear locating point is to cut that location hole open and then using something like araldite to fix the part cut off back on. Providing whatever glue you use holds it should be OK but I would subject it to some rigourous testing before riding with it.
Your only alternative is to see if you can get a refund from either the shop you bought it from or Ergon themselves. Maybe try that route first!!

Mike my question is how do they get the rail in there to begin with ? There has to be a way...

 

[JP-NZ]

Mike my question is how do they get the rail in there to begin with ? There has to be a way...

I would put the rail in a bench vice and then try and manoeuvre the seat to get the rail back in its hole.

 

[Mikerb]

I assume the rails are inserted in the rear holders first then the front secured with a plate bolted on......and probably also bonded. If you have taken the screw out at the front I suspect the plate holding the front down stayed in place...meaning it is bonded on.

 

[Mikerb]

I would put the rail in a bench vice and then try and manoeuvre the seat to get the rail back in its hole.

I think that would break the dual plastic shells of the seat or at least the way they are bonded together. The Ergon saddles have a 2 year warranty and cof course crash damage is not covered but I doubt Ergon would accept that a rail should just escape its holder............so worth a try at warranty replacement.

 

[Wolf_Trek]

Sadly, I agree with the others. That saddle is a write-off. There's no way that thing is going to work as new being in that big of a crash/wreck.

 

[big_scot_nanny]

Sadly, I agree with the others. That saddle is a write-off. There's no way that thing is going to work as new being in that big of a crash/wreck.

Sadly I agree, and not sure I want to consider the possible consequences of riding a bodge-repaired saddle that suddenly fails...

 

[Rickster]

Well here's the official reply from Ergon:


"Thank you for your message. Sorry, you will not be able to reinsert the rail. The saddle has been damaged and must be fully replaced."

US Customer Service

Drats...
thanks for everyone's responses

 

[Stihldog]

Well here's the official reply from Ergon:


"Thank you for your message. Sorry, you will not be able to reinsert the rail. The saddle has been damaged and must be fully replaced."

US Customer Service

Drats...
thanks for everyone's responses

Isn’t there a distribution or manufacturing plant in Port Coquitlam?
I called them years ago for the new Ergon SM Core. At the time they said it wasn’t available yet. 6 months later I bought one from a LBS.

 

[RustyIron]

Well here's the official reply from Ergon:

I would have at least expected Ergon to offer you a crash replacement discount. In my experience, the discounted price is above wholesale, so it's not as if they're loosing any money. They don't loose money, and they get customer loyalty. But clearly that's not their goal.

Mike suggested you remove the screw under the nose of the saddle. Did you try that? It looks like fixing the rail would be a five minute job.

 

[Rickster]

You know guys , the more I think about this the more concerned i'm getting....
What would have happened if both of the rails came off and the ends found me ! I'm thinking now that this is a very dangerous design flaw and I'm reconsidering getting another one at any price. This seat only had a couple rides on it. The top surface isn't even scratched or scuffed. Ergon offered nothing except their opinion.

 

[Mikerb]

I suspect if there is no visible damage to the topside that somehow in your crash something on the trail or maybe your bars got wedged between the rail and the shell and levered the rail out. It is probably assembled under pressure in a rig. No reason to doubt the quality of Ergon saddles. I have used them on all my bikes for years....and they have survived a number of crashes in my learning phase!

 

[EMTBSEAN]

In my opinion (for what it’s worth) you could try loosening the front machine screw, see if it comes out, if it does, see if there’s any movement on the rail that’s still attached to the saddle, if there is remove the rail completely and check it out for any signs of bending, if it still straight roughen both ends with some abrasive paper and glue both ends in with Araldite and refit the machine screw clamp.

 

[BeBiker]

Removing the cover screw at the top doesn't do anything.

Picture ?

 

[whitymon]

You know guys , the more I think about this the more concerned i'm getting....
What would have happened if both of the rails came off and the ends found me ! I'm thinking now that this is a very dangerous design flaw and I'm reconsidering getting another one at any price. This seat only had a couple rides on it. The top surface isn't even scratched or scuffed. Ergon offered nothing except their opinion.

Your butt is on the saddle so no.

These ones are among the best saddle out there, I would not ride anything else than the enduro.

You might have a pretty peculiar crash than the saddle was locked into something to push out the rail. I would argue than no saddle would have been non broken or at the very least, think of that, better be the saddle that the dropper post or worth.

 

[EMTBSEAN]

Picture ?

Must be different from the one I had because removing the screw resulted in the rail being able to be removed, that’s why I suggested it

Which ever way you look at it it’s a poor show from a company as big as Ergon, I’m glad I have bought a WTB saddle, they’re cheap enough to be replaced if they get damaged and they’re the most comfortable ones I’ve sat on

 

[whitymon]

Must be different from the one I had because removing the screw resulted in the rail being able to be removed, that’s why I suggested it

Which ever way you look at it it’s a poor show from a company as big as Ergon, I’m glad I have bought a WTB saddle, they’re cheap enough to be replaced if they get damaged and they’re the most comfortable ones I’ve sat on

It is cool it they offered a discount but normal if they do not as it was not through normal use at all.
In the end they cannot just throw discount like that, otherwise everyone would do that, I would break my saddle to get a discount to get a new one.

Nothing related to a helmet crash replacement where the price is so huge and margin might be bigger plus by design you expect it to crack and having the crash replacement is a big factor when buying.

No offense, OP had bad luck, glad he is okay but this is the first time I see that, sh... happens.

70 euro a saddle is not really expensive for the enduro, the saddle I got on my ESD, a WTB cost between 40-75 depending on the model, and to me it is one of the worst for my butt.

Unless you do only gravity on the bike no one should go for the cheap without comfort. Every butt is different so!

 

[EMTBSEAN]

It is cool it they offered a discount but normal if they do not as it was not through normal use at all.
In the end they cannot just throw discount like that, otherwise everyone would do that, I would break my saddle to get a discount to get a new one.

Nothing related to a helmet crash replacement where the price is so huge and margin might be bigger plus by design you expect it to crack and having the crash replacement is a big factor when buying.

No offense, OP had bad luck, glad he is okay but this is the first time I see that, sh... happens.

70 euro a saddle is not really expensive for the enduro, the saddle I got on my ESD, a WTB cost between 40-75 depending on the model, and to me it is one of the worst for my butt.

Unless you do only gravity on the bike no one should go for the cheap without comfort. Every butt is different so!

Of course saddle choice is as individual as a fingerprint but I’ve found WTB saddles the most comfortable but then again you haven’t seen my arse

 

[Rickster]

In my opinion (for what it’s worth) you could try loosening the front machine screw, see if it comes out, if it does, see if there’s any movement on the rail that’s still attached to the saddle, if there is remove the rail completely and check it out for any signs of bending, if it still straight roughen both ends with some abrasive paper and glue both ends in with Araldite and refit the machine screw clamp.

Hey, I did remove the front screw and cover plate from the underside of the seat and nothing else is removable. I can see the rail tucked into the plastic molding but it's impossible to get out. I tried heating everything to make it more flexible but no joy. I don't know how the rail came out but it's sure not going back in the same way.

 

[whitymon]

Hey, I did remove the front screw and cover plate from the underside of the seat and nothing else is removable. I can see the rail tucked into the plastic molding but it's impossible to get out. I tried heating everything to make it more flexible but no joy. I don't know how the rail came out but it's sure not going back in the same way.

Toss it or make a bird perch for your garden

 

[Binhill1]

I had a bad crash yesterday which put me over a steep drop into a canyon. Luckily, I had minor scrapes and bruises but my new seat didn't fair so well.
Have a look at the back rail, it has popped out of the base and I haven't had any luck putting it back in ! Im open to any suggestions or ideas how to get it back in. Removing the cover screw at the top doesn't do anything.

View attachment 147064 View attachment 147065 View attachment 147066

Imagine that poking inside you ,glad you're OK.

 

[Rickster]

Toss it or make a bird perch for your garden

$200 perch !

 

[Stihldog]

$200 perch !

They are an expensive saddle. I think I paid $230 CDN.

 

[Rocketb]

Not good. I have gone through 2 of these saddles within 12months, the weakest part of the saddle is where the rail enters the plastic base (exactly where your having issues now) so yes a replacement is needed. I paid $230aud for mine so not a cheap experience.

 

[whitymon]

Which ones guys are you referring too in the end? I only the use the Enduro are the others seems gimmick to me from titanium (beautiful but useless) to emtb (branded differently to scam your wallet).