tallbikeman

I read this a while back and have been thinking about your seatpost failure. Years ago we used to bend the old American cheap bike standard seatposts because they were only 13/16" diameter for Schwinn and 7/8" diameter most other American manufacturers. I'm assuming the failed seatpost was over an inch in diameter and of modern design. I believe at 50,000 miles your seatpost probably died a natural death by a million vibrations and hits. I believe you may see steel frames start to fail at that kind of mileage. Of course off roading would accelerate that gradual deterioration of the component. Nowaday's they stick seatposts way out of the frames and this really stresses the seatposts and the frames since you have lengthened the lever holding your seat. The longer seatpost pry's on the frame much harder than if the frame was taller and triangulated by seat stays and the seatpost was fairly short. I'm riding a 1970's Schwinn Varsity whose wheelset and other components were completely worn out when I got it. The wheelset was a non Schwinn replacement so the first wheelset had already worn out. I replaced all the components on this frame and fork and have soldiered on for another 20 years. I have no idea how many miles are on this bike but it is a lot and it is holding my great bulk up every day and riding both off and on road. So now I'm keeping on eye on that old original Schwinn steel seatpost.

travbikeman

I agree with other posters above about canal dust. I too ride the C&O canal, at least 3 times a week from 10 to 40 miles each time. I too am a clyde, uncomfortably close again to 300lbs......

This is what my drivetrain looks like after a few of the shorter rides. I probably should be cleaning it after each ride, but have been lazy and cleaning it once a week instead. I generally get about 1000 to 1300 miles on a SRAM chain. But my bike currently still has the original KMC chain. My past experiences has been original KMC chains last me only 800 mile range. Not seeing this will be any different.

Edit - After looking at these pictures...I'm tearing this bike down and giving it a full bath tonight...what a mess....