Friday, January 13, 2012

3TTT seatpost failure - a reminder

3TTT seatpost failure_0432 by gtveloce
3TTT seatpost failure_0432, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

It's true - aluminium snaps! And it can be very quick (and just as you round a corner)...

Pick the problem here

Pick the problem_1644 by gtveloce
Pick the problem_1644, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Yep, it's a broken Felt F75 2009 model single-bolt seat post clamp. Ouch.

And yes, it was a Central Coast pot hole - or sub-optimally completed "road works" if you like. Blew 2 tyres (noticed that!) but didn't notice the fractured clamp for another 3 weeks or so.

Well I noticed that the saddle felt a bit "wonky" but couldn't quite pin down why... until finally the gap widened sufficiently that it wobbled up and down enough to be annoying.... I stopped, inspected and went, "oh, there's the problem, right there!". D'oh, as they say. And other cliches.

You may recall that over the years I have also broken a post (completely, I mean, as in sheared off) and snapped off the bolt that holds the saddle to the post. None of this is recommended practice.