does anybody know if you can make an air saddle out of the torker lx saddle without buying a new cover just with the original cover? and if you can how would you do that?
If you remove the foam I think you could but that cover is really annoying to deal with, especially with how it attaches. You are best off saving up and getting a KH fushion cover if you can.
Follow these directions. It is kind of a pain because you have to be really careful not to break the metal clasps that hold the cover, but it can be done.
It’s not really worth it because of the low volume of a miyata/lx seat. A Fusion or Miyata with a roach cover (do those still exist?) allow for a much greater volume of air.
I never felt like I needed more volume than the LX or Miyata covers offer. Although, I don’t really care for air saddles now that I’ve tried it.
I’ve tried two separate air saddles, one with the standard miyata cover and one with the high volume roach cover. I definitely preferred the miyata. Its certainly a personal preference thing.
do it!
i converted my lx saddle using the instructions that phlegm posted, and it’s been great. none of the metal pieces broke on me, and i can fill it up to a pretty decent volume, and the inner tube only cost me about 2 bucks. even if it’s not the greatest saddle on the block, it’s still 100 times better than the stock one!
I kinda advise against it
I have a KH air seat that I didn’t like at first. I fussed with it, duct taping the tubes in place, and a foam pad over it. I like it now. But it is on the 36. It’s kinda bulky, a regular KH seat is better on small wheels IMHO.
It is easy to mess with a draw string seat cover, so messing around with a seat that you can get a draw string seat for is reasonably not to much hassle.
You likely think you will get it right the first time. More likely, the tube will shift a bit, giving you a lop sided seat, and you will have to take the seat cover off again , and again to fix this. If you over inflate it, you will tear a stapled or clipped cover.
So if you go this way, at least buy one of these
http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=254
It says on UDC that the LX has a Miyata style seat, so that cover will likely fit.
I think you are better off saving your seat like it is and buying a KH free ride.
Then if that isn’t good enough, make or buy an air seat. Ruining your only good seat will be frustrating, and interfere with riding.
I would go for it
The lx air saddle is so much more comfortable than the stock seat.
besides if you do break the clips you might as well upgrade to a nimbus gel or high-top saddle they are both very comfortable. http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=2&subcat=68&cat=Nimbus&L2=Saddles+%26+components&L3=Saddles&L4=Nimbus
The key to a “high volume” air saddle (what, until today, I thought was the only air saddle) is the dogbone pillow that you put the tube into. You also use a tiny bit of duct tape. Instructions with pictures are here:
I converted one and had no problem removing the cover multiple times without breaking the metal clips.
Go for it it is easy/cheap and if you dont like it you can go back to stock with a little tape.