MLD saddle- a satassfying experience!

[mdeth1313]

A few days ago I received a nice package from FWB-- my MLD saddle.

Seems to work for me-- took 3 days of riding to get it positioned correctly, but on the 3rd day (this morning), it fit. A little less than 20 miles into the ride, I completely forgot I was riding on a carbon saddle.

The 1st day I did 20 miles, 2nd 70 miles and today's ride I intended to do 50, but ended up doing 70, as I was really enjoying myself.

The weight came in at 69-70g, depending on which way it was facing on my scale (needs a new battery), weight on the box was 69g. Compared to 135 for my kit carbonio flow, this was a welcome change.

This is a well made saddle-- only complaint is if the shorts rub at the edge of the saddle, it can start eating away at the fabric-- I cured this w/ a little liquid electric tape along the outer edge of the saddle-- no more fabric issues after that (no weight penalty either). I'll post more as I get more miles in on it!

[alienator]

Definitely need more feedback. Have you ever used a Toupe? The MLD is supposed to be modeled on the Toupe's shape, and I was wonder how comfort of it fares compared to a Toupe.

[tmanley]

What width did you get? I like the fact that the MLD can be done wider (145mm) than some of the other carbon saddles. I currently ride the toupe's too so I'll be watching for your updates.

[mdeth1313]

Definitely need more feedback. Have you ever used a Toupe? The MLD is supposed to be modeled on the Toupe's shape, and I was wonder how comfort of it fares compared to a Toupe.

I rode on a borrowed toupe for 4 days (doing 50 miles each day) before ordering. Problem w/ me is, if its got a cutout and a bit of padding, I'm usually good. I found the shape of the toupe to be not that different than the kit carbonio. The PROFILE was different-- the toupe is a flatter saddle- the kc had a lot more flex/sagging, but I didnt have any issues w/ the regular toupe either.
Only other thing I can add is I did have to change the angle of the mld saddle- nose tilted down a bit more (not much) than the kit carbonio.
Unfortunately, we're getting a monsoon here right now- so it may be a couple of days before I get back out on it.

[mdeth1313]

Just a quick update-- I've done about 400 miles on the saddle-- today I rode 107 miles, including a lovely climb of Mt. Washington,MA (NOT NH) from the NY side over to MA.
My butt is still intact. If the shape works, it'll work-- no construction issues, no popping sounds, no slipping.
Of course choosing to ride 100+ miles when it's 90+ degrees is not such a great idea-- the last 15 miles were not so much fun- stupid headwind to boot.

Other items that held up well on this ride: my homebrew chamios creme and my Louis Garneau Carbon Ion jersey, which is really great for disgusting, hot and humid days.

This will be classified as a W.I.T.H. W.I.T. ride (What In The Hell Was I Thinking)

Only other thing I can add is using shorts that have a thicker chamois may be advised.
I did today's ride w/ assos f1 uno bibs. My giordana bibs (w/ 3d-of pad) and de marchi contour light bibs also do well, but the assos are a bit more comfy, especially when its that long a ride.
My castelli bibs w/ KISS pad are not working out very well- probably a combo of thickness of pad combined w/ shape/coverage of pad.

[mdeth1313]

well, w/ the good, comes the bad- yesterday's ride was fine, but I kept hearing a clicking sound while pedaling seated--when I stood, no sound, but when I stopped pedaling, no sound either, so I attributed it to my cleats and did a full 70 miles.
Everything checked out at home, but I figured I'd take the torque wrench to the seatpost bolts and see, and sure enough it tightened up to 6Nm-- couldnt figure out why the bolts were getting so close to the underside of the saddle- when I pulled the saddle off today to trim the bolts, I found my saddle rails did not look like they did in the first pics:


EDIT: Madcow informed me (from looking at the pics), first thoughts are a problem w/ the resin. I'm anxiously awaiting my replacement.

[mdeth1313]

I got my replacement today- under 2 weeks- not bad considering a replacment from AX or Tune would have probably taken 4-8 weeks.

I feel used- my 1st saddle was 70g on my scale and 69g according to MLD (I'd go w/ 69, not for weight purposes either ).

This one is 72g on my scale and 71 according to MLD. Give me back my 69!

Its mounted and ready to go- we'll see what's up this go-round.

[mdeth1313]

4-5 mos since I first rode the MLD and I'm still happy with it. I've heard others have mixed reviews, mine has been outstanding, other than I can't use my daedalus post with it-- the rails can't take the clamping mech (which explains the pretzeled rails from the previous posts.
Since this is the most comfy saddle I've ever placed my butt on, the saddle stays- I went back to an easton ec90 post--that and, well, I could try some other saddles but this one being made in the USA means if another problem arises, it can be dealt with quickly, unlike having to ship things to germany and wait for 2-4 mos.

[mdeth1313]

A quick update-- still going strong-- I dont see these for sale anymore-- I'm going to be really bummed when it's time for a new saddle.

[mdeth1313]

Now over 2 years and 12,000 miles w/ the mld saddle. Still going strong-- added an xx-light seatpost - 70g saddle, 87g seatpost- post and saddle weigh less than most people's saddle or seatpost alone.

The xx-light has an interesting clamping system that won't/doesn't stress the rails like the other "euro" style posts.

[pritchet74]

Nice that you are doing well with the saddle. I took one on a ~30 mile test ride once & was stupid enough to actually be sitting on the saddle when I hit a pothole. The rail cracked. It was quite comfortable up until that point though.

[alienator]

Did you post a picture of seatpost?

[mdeth1313]

Nice that you are doing well with the saddle. I took one on a ~30 mile test ride once & was stupid enough to actually be sitting on the saddle when I hit a pothole. The rail cracked. It was quite comfortable up until that point though.

Jeff- I remember you telling me something about that-- must have been a dud (or not) because I ride some crappy roads and when commuting in the dark it's inevitable that I hit some potholes unexpectedly and its held up. Unforunately, there's not enough of these out there to find out if mine is the norm or if yours was.


Here's a pic of the post.

[mdeth1313]

Just an update, not sure of the exact mileage, but by late July I'm looking at 3 years on this thing.