As far as the shoes being tied right, if I can’t tie them correctly because there is something inherent in their design that prevents me from doing so, then yes, I would complain. Last time I checked being a wise ass to customers does not promote service excellence (nor does ingnoring email queries via your website).
When I fix the problem I’ll post the new pic and you can pay me for the new design, un’kay? Stay tuned.
The bolt protrusion happens to cause me problems with rubbing at what happens to be the sweet spot for my riding position. It’s as simple as that. We can talk angles, hip rotation, blah, blah, blah. Tell it to my back after 112 miles.
I’ve ridden well over 10000 miles on my bike since 11/03. It’s not like I don’t have the saddle time to support my claim.
Would you not agree that anything the “sticks out” can cause rubbing? Who cares how much sliding forward and aft I can do with the thing if at certain points within those limits a freakin’ bolt rubs my shorts (and eventually ME) into oblivion.
Keep in mind I own two of your bikes … that makes me a PAYING CUSTOMER. I have a beef and you’re telling me I’m wrong. I’m going to PROVE to you that I can make the set-up work with a BETTER design.
“Do you complain about your shoe laces wearing out because you do not know how to tie them right?”
I would not expect such a reply on a public forum from a company representative. The post from jethropup may have been a bit strong but he is the customer and the one with the hole in the shorts. All he really wanted was a real solution to his problem, not a band-aid approach. Everyone sets their bike up differently, saddle width and position should not make one bit of difference, if it is possible for the fattest thigh to touch the bolt head it should be be round (possibly dome shaped) and smooth. Secondly while we are on the topic I have had two of those little zink covered outer plates that hold the saddle break. More than likely they were over tight, but anything less allowed the saddle noes to raise or lower depending where you were sitting. I have been more than pleased with all three Softrides I have owned, but they have all had little things to deal with.
Was it my fault that the velcro on the beam bag chewed up the inside of my shorts on my my first ride on my classic? I followed the directions, installed it facing the right direction. There was nothing that stated if you are using a narrow saddle your thighs may rub on various parts of the beam or bag.
I never rubbed on the bolt head but I can see how it could happen. The older models came with a hex head bolt and let’s face it, it probably should have been speced with the low head cap screw you mention in your post all along, but I understand bikes are a work in progress and I do not mind learning as I go as long as it does not cost me a wad of cash.
Your right and I apologize. That was an inappropriate stance on my part. I’m trying to help you. I’m not ignoring you. Our Customer Service & Sales people are all out on road at the moment, so that might explain why they have not responded yet. Today was the first day I saw your post.
All I can do is provide you suggestions how to make this system work better for you. If you are unwilling to take them, then there is nothing I can do.
Over my years I have run into other softriders with their clamps set up like this. Moving the clamp back relative to the saddle makes the problem go away. Maybe an addition to our directions would make sense. The saddle does not move, your set up will not change from where it is currently at. Try this?
Mark you current setup so you can get back if needed. Measure and mark both you seat rails and beam 1” back. Move the clamp back to the marks. Your saddle should be in the same position as it was before. But now you clamp will be in the middle of the adjustment of your seat rails.
If this does not work, then work on a lower profile bolt, or a rail/ cap system that solves your problem.
mmm…mthinks I see where jethropup is going with this and I hate to say I think he may have a valid point…the saddle doesn’t move fore or aft but the clamp does…does that not now move the point on the beam where the riders weight sits? Jethropup has stated his is not a whippet and in moving back the clamp that added distance from the fulcrum point (not sure what else to call the center of adjustment in this case) would also increase the amount of torque. Someone with math help me out here. If you apply the same amount of pressure on a lever to two different points…is the point furthest from the fixed point not subject to a greater force (man I wish I’d paid more attention in physics)? Would that also not then translate into a larger amount of beam travel? Depending on how far back on the rails the clamp now sits there is also the possibility that when the rider sits on the nose of the saddle (as most of us a want to do) there is also some flex there. I know when I rode on a Flite that when I ran the saddle half up the rails those little bolt heads stuck out some (again being bowlegged sure helps in this case).
Hopefully JP can find the appropriate bolt head design, thread pitch, and length to work for him.
And Jethro…I know we’ve butted heads before on a couple of things and I hope we’ve worked those issues out…and while I can’t argue about the customer being right (see the rest of my post) in this case I gotta say…you can come across as being a bit hot tempered. Not saying it isn’t warranted (with the trashed shorts and all) just not always the best approach. Either way…my opinion and 3 bucks might get you a gallon of gas in some parts. Hope the bolt fixes things.
cheers
Brady, my point is not to be a pain in the ass to Softride. I am unwilling to change my position with my saddle so I need to fix the problem with the bolt. I have used duct tape (even found red to match my frame) to cover the bolt but during long rides, even that gets worn off and as I sweat, it eventually falls off.
If Softride has seen this issue before, it would seem more prudent to make the design better or use different hardware rather than ask riders to move the clamp to a certain position simply for the point of stopping the bolt head from grinding into the legs.
This whole thing would have remained offline via private email had someone from Softride replied. Out of frustration I posted on here. Probably not the most diplomatic way to solve the issue but too late now.
Also, I am another one who has found that the velco from the beam bag can wear away on the shorts as well. I simply stopped using it and carry my tubes and levers in my jersey pockets as a result.
As far as leverage, from a static point I would agree that changing the saddle/clamp position would not make a difference. BUT, in dynamics the position of the clamp, and the resulting forces during my pedal stroke will certainly have and do have a different reaction. That reaction is bounce.
I’ll post pics once I get the machine shop to play with things. Hopefully they don’t make a mistake and take off too much metal or I’ll be buying another $40 beam clamp on top of a new pair of shorts…