the rod used in the industry and hence the reduction in weight for rods of the same length is desirably between 17 and 38 that is the rod 12 would have a nominal maximum dimension d of 0 276 inches to provide a seat rail having a weight of approximately 52 20 57 57 g as compared to the current industry standard rail weight of approximately 86 57 g specifically a rod 12 with two flutes having a depth of 0 08 inches would create a web dimension of 0 116 inches and leave a cross sectional area of 0 0495 square inches effecting a 17 weight reduction of the seat rail conversely a rail with two flutes having a depth of 0 09 inches would create a web dimension of 0 096 inches and leave a cross sectional area of 0 0371 square inches effecting a 38 weight reduction of the seat rail fig6 9 show perspective and plan views of a seat rail 10 for a bicycle seat the seat rail 10 has an overall shape that is formed for supporting a seat shell 48 to provide an armature for the seat shell 48 in particular the seat rail 10 is preferably shaped to provide contact with the seat shell 48 at multiple points for example as best seen in fig6 8 the seat rail 10 includes a curved front portion 16 which is preferably located proximate the midpoint of rod 12 between the ends 18 a 18 b between the curved front portion 16 and each of the ends 18 a 18 b are two linear portions 19 a 19 b disposed in parallel spaced apart relation the seat rail 10 is preferably configured so that the.