>From what I've read, the Cambiums don't break in. The intent is that the rubber will perform similarly to a broken-in leather saddle, such that it is ready to ride from new (no break in needed) and does not wear out.
They seem to be popular enough that I'll be surprised if they don't introduce some sprung models eventually--those would have wider profiles for more upright riding. I'm ~200 pounds, mostly upright, and 30 to 50 mile rides are rare indulgences in time, and the Cambium has been very comfortable for me. I feel the spring of the saddle over bad pavement. I do have to be careful with the angle, though. If it's nosed up at all numbness starts in. Stainless will corrode, it's just way less likely too. As for chloride and acidic conditions, I'd think that the salt and grit of a Chicago street would qualify. Certainly couldn't say that's your problem with the spokes, though. I'm visiting Chicago this weekend, and was thinking I might whittle some time out to visit Comrade, as it's close to where I'm staying. Lots to do, though. Arts spaces, galleries, and friends are all ahead of bikes for this trip. On Monday, August 11, 2014 2:43:44 PM UTC-5, David Banzer wrote: > > My LBS wonderfully let me borrow a Cambium tester saddle and I set out for > a ride from Chicago to Waukegan to meet my girlfriend at a family event. > > I'll start by saying this... I really, really, really wanted to like the > Cambium and already put aside money to buy one. My LBS (Comrade in Chicago) > let me test out a Cambium before I decided. The saddle looks very nice and > gives a more modern look over a classic leather saddle, and it also looked > great on my Redwood with gray shellacked Newbaum's tape. > It felt comfortable right away and coupled with the fact that I had > already in my mind decided to buy a new one, pretty much had me sold... > Until the ride continued and after mile 20 or so, it was not so > comfortable at all and I kicked myself for not packing my broken-in B17 > just in case. > The Cambium felt narrow to me and felt too firm. I wish the rubber > could've given more. I'm not too sure if these indeed do "break-in" a bit > like leather, but I figured the saddle already had a buncha use and > should've been broken-in already. > All in all, it took me awhile to realize that the Cambium just isn't for > me for long rides. I could see it being fine for an errand bike, but at its > pricepoint, it doesn't make sense to me. Bummer. Guess I'll spend some > money on something else. > > &... > A few miles away from my destination I heard a distinct PING! > I knew that sound - broken spoke. Oh well, I'll gingerly get it the last 5 > miles and figure out what to do later. > Until a mile later, another distinct PING! > Two adjacent driveside spokes broken at the cross point. > Time to call for help. Wheel was wobbling and locking up against brake > pads that were already opened up. > I examined the wheel and saw what looked like corrosion at the cross point > on most driveside spokes. I was surprised as the spokes were stainless > steel and I'd been riding this self built wheel for close to 5 years > without any issue. > Question then: > Will stainless steel spokes corrode over time? > > Wheel obviously needs a complete rebuild. Got me thinking then about a > 7-speed hub spaced at 135mm, which should have close to zero dish. This > should be stronger then a 8/9/10 speed hub spaced at 130mm? The Redwood is > 132.5 which'll take either 130 or 135. I've been using 8-speed 130mm. > Any insights? > > Lastly, shameless plug... > Have several bags (including ones on Redwood) for sale at > treetop.bigcartel.com - contact offlist for a better price than listed > there. > > Thanks, > David > Chicago > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
