Is my Seatpost dead?
11-24-09, 04:00 PM
#1
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Is my Seatpost dead?
Hi everyone,
I'm just making sure to see if my seatpost is really dead. I noticed myself getting uncomfortable on the bike and discovered that the saddle seemed to move around during the ride no matter how tight the clamp was. Then I realised it was swiveling around at the top, not around inside the seattube.
I'm more disappointed that I spent so long getting the saddle position correct than anything else.
If I do have to bury it, which I am pretty sure I have to, can anyone suggest a replacement. I've never bought one on its own, just used whatever the bike came with. And the ones I find either seem too cheap to trust, or carbon.
The crack in question.
I'm just making sure to see if my seatpost is really dead. I noticed myself getting uncomfortable on the bike and discovered that the saddle seemed to move around during the ride no matter how tight the clamp was. Then I realised it was swiveling around at the top, not around inside the seattube.
I'm more disappointed that I spent so long getting the saddle position correct than anything else.
If I do have to bury it, which I am pretty sure I have to, can anyone suggest a replacement. I've never bought one on its own, just used whatever the bike came with. And the ones I find either seem too cheap to trust, or carbon.
The crack in question.
11-24-09, 04:27 PM
#3
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Yes. Oh, my, yes.
It looks like you need a post with some setback. Too bad Thomson's setback seatposts are so funny-lookin'.
It looks like you need a post with some setback. Too bad Thomson's setback seatposts are so funny-lookin'.
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11-24-09, 04:27 PM
#4
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yes it looks that way
I had a similar issue a few weeks ago on a new to me but never used bike I picked up. there was a straight crack. not curved and jagged like yours. the 'head' was loose and I had the same feeling you do. I pulled it apart cleaned everything and used some JB on it so far so good. I would not recomend this as your craks is more severe.
most all upper end seatpost are good, you get a bad reputation too fast these days to put out junk. I bought a nice blue Origin8 for one of my Bianchis a few months ago I really like it.
I had a similar issue a few weeks ago on a new to me but never used bike I picked up. there was a straight crack. not curved and jagged like yours. the 'head' was loose and I had the same feeling you do. I pulled it apart cleaned everything and used some JB on it so far so good. I would not recomend this as your craks is more severe.
most all upper end seatpost are good, you get a bad reputation too fast these days to put out junk. I bought a nice blue Origin8 for one of my Bianchis a few months ago I really like it.
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11-24-09, 04:31 PM
#5
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I would not ride that seatpost. The thought of what could happen makes me cringe.
Last edited by RacerOne; 11-25-09 at 05:12 PM.
11-24-09, 05:08 PM
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Stick a fork in it, it's done. I had a carbon seatpost crack on me so I replaced it with a fairly cheap aluminum post from Performance. No more carbon seatposts for this Clyde.
A nicer seatpost is on my Cristmas List. I'll probably go with something from FSA.
A nicer seatpost is on my Cristmas List. I'll probably go with something from FSA.
11-24-09, 05:09 PM
#7
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11-24-09, 05:45 PM
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That looks for all the world like a fatigue crack. Replace the seatpost immediately or risk being reamed (literally).
I'm quite impressed by the engineering quality of my new Thompson which I only bought because Campagnolo only make carbon these days, to which I say No way, Jose: if it is carbon, it will break.
The Thompsons are available in a range of set backs. Someone posted that the bent design is "funny looking" but it actually looks very good (to me) on my Ti frame.
I'm quite impressed by the engineering quality of my new Thompson which I only bought because Campagnolo only make carbon these days, to which I say No way, Jose: if it is carbon, it will break.
The Thompsons are available in a range of set backs. Someone posted that the bent design is "funny looking" but it actually looks very good (to me) on my Ti frame.
11-24-09, 05:58 PM
#10
Lost
wow, there is no way i would even consider riding that thing again, i'm surprised you ask really. i say get a tompson setback post and be good for life. i would have guessed a DA piece would be pretty reliable too, but this one is clearly cooked.
how much do you weigh, and what is the vintage of this post, im just curious
how much do you weigh, and what is the vintage of this post, im just curious
11-24-09, 06:42 PM
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The fact that you're even debating about replacing this makes your signature line kind of ironic. 
Seriously, when do you want it to break? While going down a hill at 45 mph? While riding over some rough potholes? Replace it now, and then either trash it, or send it back to Shimano to see if they might replace it under warranty.
Seriously, when do you want it to break? While going down a hill at 45 mph? While riding over some rough potholes? Replace it now, and then either trash it, or send it back to Shimano to see if they might replace it under warranty.
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11-24-09, 07:13 PM
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too bad. measure the setback from a fixed place on the bike before you trash it.
11-25-09, 11:42 AM
#17
well hello there
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Why even take the chance when the damage is so clear?
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11-25-09, 11:55 AM
#18
Portland Fred
It wouldn't occur to me to ride that. I might ride a clamped post for awhile while you get a new one, but that definitely needs to be replaced
11-25-09, 12:21 PM
#19
Senior Member
I had a Bontrager AL seat post fail in the same way during a ride. Hit a small pot hole, and seat dropped down and back. Glad I wasn't putting any more pressure on it that I was at the time.
I wouldn't ride with your seat post under any conditions. Get a cheap replacement for now if you need to ride it before you can get what you want. Bike stores usually have a bin of posts they've changed out.
I wouldn't ride with your seat post under any conditions. Get a cheap replacement for now if you need to ride it before you can get what you want. Bike stores usually have a bin of posts they've changed out.
11-25-09, 12:25 PM
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11-25-09, 03:52 PM
#21
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Thankyou for your diagnoses.
The anal probe has now been decommissioned and replaced.
The anal probe has now been decommissioned and replaced.
Last edited by damnable; 11-25-09 at 05:08 PM.
11-25-09, 04:58 PM
#23
It is fantastic.
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Yeah, don't get a carbon post because only carbon posts break.
11-25-09, 05:07 PM
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Yea my bad, the picture came through kinda small. Anyways, that is a Deda SuperZero carbon post. I installed it last year and have about 8000 miles on it without one single problem. I mean nothing, not one single peep out of it. I weigh 170 lbs and generally ride pretty smooth.
It looks very nice and lightweight too, if you care about that kinda stuff.
It looks very nice and lightweight too, if you care about that kinda stuff.
11-25-09, 05:13 PM
#25
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Yea my bad, the picture came through kinda small. Anyways, that is a Deda SuperZero carbon post. I installed it last year and have about 8000 miles on it without one single problem. I mean nothing, not one single peep out of it. I weigh 170 lbs and generally ride pretty smooth.
It looks very nice and lightweight too, if you care about that kinda stuff.
It looks very nice and lightweight too, if you care about that kinda stuff.