Urgent help required (Saddle + carbon rails = new clamp)

[The Stiglet]

I just bought a Selle Italia Turbomatic Team Edition with carbon oval rails. I have a Specialized Tarmac Expert SL3 with carbon seatpost but the clamp does not support oval rails. I have been told by an engineer at Sigma that a Specialized Pave seatpost clamp is all I need but the dimensions for this clamp are 7x9mm, whilst the saddle rails are 7x9.6mm. He says they have fitted other saddles using this clamp with the same dimensions as the Selle with no breakages.

See clamp here: http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/p/23126/specialized-an...
Saddle here: http://www.selleitalia.com/se_it3/prodotti/road/pa...

What are your thoughts? I must purchase tomorrow to get some mileage on the saddle before a sportive on Sunday. Thanks.

[itsnotarace]

I had this problem with my SLR Fibra with carbon oval rails. The best solution I found was a Thomson seatpost. Beware of ill fitting rails as a) it will be painful if it breaks while you're riding and b) your warranty will be void

[The Stiglet]

Spoke to the customer rep at Selle and he agreed that .6mm was within manufacturing tolerances...

I mean .6mm is bloody tiny right?!

[itsnotarace]

Dunno about that but Thomson support up to 7x10mm so that's what I did to be safe

From their faq

Q – Can I use oval and/or oversized saddle rails?
A – Saddle rails from 7 x 7mm up to 7 x 10mm will work with Thomson seatpost clamps.
Q – May I use carbon saddle rails?
A – Yes you may.

[The Stiglet]

But they are aluminium. I don't want to get rid of a carbon seatpost to 'downgrade' to an aluminium one.

[okgo]

Thomson seatposts are better than the vast majority of carbon mate, certainly not a downgrade from anything that ships on a Specialized as stock.

[itsnotarace]

My aluminium Thomson Masterpiece pisses over your carbon post from a great height but you carry on sir

[The Stiglet]

I don't think that's how I want to roll. You'll notice I caveated 'downgrade'as well so please, no need to get tetchy. At this point I ideally want my current seatpost, which I'm very happy with to conform to my wishes by adding the new clamp. I don't want to spend more money if I don't have to. I don't want to change things that I'm happy with.

Has anyone got experience of using the Pave clamp and a Selle Italia saddle?

[rhinochopig]

Assuming 7 x 9mm is width x height then I can't see a problem TBH.

[The Stiglet]

rhinochopig said:

Assuming 7 x 9mm is width x height then I can't see a problem TBH.

Yes, that's correct. Thanks.

[rhinochopig]

The Stiglet said:

Yes, that's correct. Thanks.

One thing though, make sure you adhere to the torque settings for the clamp with rails being carbon. Carbon doesn't like being squashed.

[The Stiglet]

Sigma fitted it tonight and all seems fine. If it breaks I'll contact you from the dead but so far, the Specialized pave clamp will work with the new oversized carbon oval rails.