I fell over about a month back and my saddle shell was dislodged from the rails. The shell is intact and scratched, and the rails are intact. I just can't figure if and how to put the shell back on the rail? Seems like I need a stretching rack =)

Has this happened to anyone? This is standard construction that at least 90+ % of the seats on the market to day. Has anyone put back a dislodged saddle shell onto the rail?

Thanks

I had this with a Fizik Aliante. I worked it out by shoving the rails into the rear, then working to get the nose of the rails (it's a single loop of metal in this case) into the front 'pocket'.

It seemed an impossible situation, until I took the seatpost off the bike, and slid it back as far as I could. Then I grabbed another post, and hooked it up to the front part of the rails - up beyond the bend. A post doesn't actually fit there, so I had to disassemble the clamp, and hook it up sideways.

After they are both tightened down, grabbing them by the ends and pulling them apart bent the rails enough to make things fit. Then a little shoving and cussing with the shell against the bench, and it slips right in.

Danl1,

Thanks for the advice. I think I was missing the "cussing" step. I'll try your advice next chance I get.

Simple solution for someone as cheap as I am. I was involved in a huge pack crash, where the bike went end over end, and one of the saddle rails came out of one of the rear sockets. I took an old screwdriver (flat blade) and heated it on the kitchen stove. I then used the screwdriver to partially melt the bottom part of the socket. After reinserting the rail, I heated the screwdriver again, and remelted the plastic over the rail. I did this over 5 years ago, and the saddle still works fine. I would think that if the same thing happened again, the rail would have an easier time being dislodged.
I would think that if you bent a Ti rail as much as it needed to be inserted, there would be a fair chance that it would break.