Is this new Fabric Scoop Gel Radius Saddle defective?

[Sophie777]

Hello Everyone!

Yesterday evening I received a new Fabric Scoop Elite Gel Radius, for my Trek Powerfly FS7 2019 . I ordered the saddle online from a bike shop. It arrived without any retail packaging. I paid $136 CAN for it (including taxes). I am concerned there could be a defect in the plastic base of the saddle, where the Chromoly rails enter the nose. The saddle rails in the region of the nose also appear scratched (the scratches did not wipe away after cleaning them with isopropyl alcohol).

Photos are attached.

I ride in the winter with slush and snow; is there an increased risk of premature rusting of the chromoly rails because of the scratches?
With regard to the plastic base, is there a defect in manufacturing? Could that glob of I don't know what (glue??) be covering up a defect or crack in the plastic? Fabric is known for the clean finishes of their saddles.

I checked an old Specialized saddle, and a cheap Norco saddle, and in both, where the rails enter the nose the finish is clean and smooth.

I would like to hear what people think, after checking the photos. If the scratches and that glob in the plastic in the saddle nose are only esthetic, I would be fine with that.
I just wouldn't want to keep a saddle that would be prone to premature rusting, or whose integrity could be compromised while riding.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[The EMF]

Looks like a fake………….

 

[Sophie777]

Looks like a fake………….

I purchased the saddle from a reputable bike shop, rather than Amazon where it was significantly cheaper (just to avoid getting a fake).

But I don't know.

 

[ilostmypassword]

Hello Everyone!

Yesterday evening I received a new Fabric Scoop Elite Gel Radius, for my Trek Powerfly FS7 2019 . I ordered the saddle online from a bike shop. It arrived without any retail packaging. I paid $136 CAN for it (including taxes). I am concerned there could be a defect in the plastic base of the saddle, where the Chromoly rails enter the nose. The saddle rails in the region of the nose also appear scratched (the scratches did not wipe away after cleaning them with isopropyl alcohol).

Photos are attached.

I ride in the winter with slush and snow; is there an increased risk of premature rusting of the chromoly rails because of the scratches?
With regard to the plastic base, is there a defect in manufacturing? Could that glob of I don't know what (glue??) be covering up a defect or crack in the plastic? Fabric is known for the clean finishes of their saddles.

I checked an old Specialized saddle, and a cheap Norco saddle, and in both, where the rails enter the nose the finish is clean and smooth.

I would like to hear what people think, after checking the photos. If the scratches and that glob in the plastic in the saddle nose are only esthetic, I would be fine with that.
I just wouldn't want to keep a saddle that would be prone to premature rusting, or whose integrity could be compromised while riding.

Thanks so much in advance!

View attachment 104451 View attachment 104452 View attachment 104453 View attachment 104454 View attachment 104455 View attachment 104456 View attachment 104457 View attachment 104458 View attachment 104459 View attachment 104460 View attachment 104461

Can you share more photos?

 

[Sophie777]

Can you share more photos?

Yeah, my OCD made me overdo it
(Some of the photos removed )

 

[The Hodge]

If you aren't happy send it back ..but I'm assuming it comes with a guarantee..so if you do keep it and somewhere down the line in the next few months it showing unreasonable wear & tear send it back to the "reputable" bike shop for an exchange or refund ..
I would however voice your concern ( with pics) to this bike shop and ask their advice ...

 

[The EMF]

Judging from the pics it doesn’t look up to the usual high standards of Fabric saddles……….
I agree with the previous comments and express your concerns with where you purchased the saddle from. Good luck

 

[irie]

I would however voice your concern ( with pics) to this bike shop and ask their advice ...

Doing this now might prevent possible future arguments ...

 

[B1rdie]

This does not look like the finish I would expect from an expensive saddle, and I would immediately return it to the seller and ask for a refund.

 

[Mikerb]

is that date stamp saying 2018??!!

 

[Sophie777]

is that date stamp saying 2018??!!

I don't see any date stamp on the saddle.
Where should it be if there would be a date stamp?

Anyways, I contacted the bike shop, as many of you advised. The bike shop indicated to me they contacted Fabric, and that Fabric said the "glob" sitting on the shell in the nose is a glob of epoxy, to prevent creaking.
Fabric told them they do this in all their saddles with Chromoly rails (I don't know why only in saddles with Chromoly rails); so that "glob" is not a defect.

As to the scratches on the rails, Fabric said (according to the bike shop) that Chromoly is cheaper than stainless steel (that's why Fabric uses Chromoly and not stainless steel), but that Chromoly is extremely resistant to rusting. The bike shop told me they'll warranty my saddle for 1 year if any rust should develop, but that they believe this is extremely unlikely.

The bike shop said they checked other Fabric saddles with Chromoly rails in their store, and that they all show this glob of epoxy at the nose.

On the basis of what the bike shop told me, I've decided to keep the saddle!

So thank you everyone for all your input! And sorry for not being able to reign in my OCD, and initially posting all those extra photos that added no additional information.

 

[irie]

You did the right thing making the shop aware and if there are future problems you have a ready made escape route. Prudent to be cautious.

 

[Mikerb]

I don't see any date stamp on the saddle.
Where should it be if there would be a date stamp?

Anyways, I contacted the bike shop, as many of you advised. The bike shop indicated to me they contacted Fabric, and that Fabric said the "glob" sitting on the shell in the nose is a glob of epoxy, to prevent creaking.
Fabric told them they do this in all their saddles with Chromoly rails (I don't know why only in saddles with Chromoly rails); so that "glob" is not a defect.

As to the scratches on the rails, Fabric said (according to the bike shop) that Chromoly is cheaper than stainless steel (that's why Fabric uses Chromoly and not stainless steel), but that Chromoly is extremely resistant to rusting. The bike shop told me they'll warranty my saddle for 1 year if any rust should develop, but that they believe this is extremely unlikely.

The bike shop said they checked other Fabric saddles with Chromoly rails in their store, and that they all show this glob of epoxy at the nose.

On the basis of what the bike shop told me, I've decided to keep the saddle!

So thank you everyone for all your input! And sorry for not being able to reign in my OCD, and initially posting all those extra photos that added no additional information.

...the 2 embossed circles with arrows pointing ...one to the month...the other the year of manufacture.

 

[Sophie777]

...the 2 embossed circles with arrows pointing ...one to the month...the other the year of manufacture.

Okay, I see it.
Date of manufacture: Jan 2018; 4 years ago!
Surprised the bike shop would have an unsold saddle that old.

How did you know? Bad batch of fabric saddles in 2018?

 

[Sophie777]

Looks like a fake………….

Sent photos of the saddle to Fabric; they think the saddle is a genuine Fabric one.