Mountain Biking - Balls Jammed

Excuse my crass title, but my Speedball is once again failing on epic proportion. That crap will NOT clamp onto my rails. I jumped a small set of stairs (maybe four feet) and my seat flew off and got caught in between my legs. This isn't to much of a problem, just takes a few minutes to pull out my tools and put the seat back on. However, it is somewhat disheartening that a super-expensive seatpost like the Speedball has such a poorly designed clamp. I don't slam my butt onto the seat after a drop either, I just sit down slightly harder than usual.

This wasn't even the main problem today though. While coasting to the rocks at NCSU (good place to practice 180˚ pivots), I sat up, took my hands off the bars and stretched. next thing I know, my seat flies off the post, I fall backwards and my 'nads are being pulled off by my tires. To say the least, it hurt. I also ran over my own foot.

Took that POS Speedball off today and put on my old seatpost. Unfortunately, I stored it incorrectly so I found a dent in it, and had to use my Dad's post. Now I have to go out and get a new one for my bike tommorow. I figure I'll be plain and just get a Thomson Elite.


You disapoint me, Maverick.

How does it clamp onto the saddle? The Gravity Dropper uses a Thomson style clamp...super solid and secure.

http://www.goclipless.com/images/2007/09/11/crank_brothers_maverick_speedball_2.jpg

Like that. There's nothing stopping the seat from coming off if you hit the rear or front of the seat too hard (leverage at its worst).

Thomson Elite is great!
No problems at all yet.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/images/prod_thu_3896.jpg

Nuf said.

^ he's not talking about a seat post clamp, hes talking about the seat rail clamps.
They failed just like my old Bontragers did.

Saw your sig, Those EX8 fuels are awesome. Saw one in the shop today... it was a Womens version though.

^ he's not talking about a seat post clamp, hes talking about the seat rail clamps.
They failed just like my old Bontragers did.

I am well aware of that. The point of my posting the QR clamp was the fact that I feel Gravity Droppers/Speedballs are unnecessary when one has a QR seat clamp. I know many will disagree, but that's my opinion.

I am well aware of that. The point of my posting the QR clamp was the fact that I feel Gravity Droppers/Speedballs are unnecessary when one has a QR seat clamp. I know many will disagree, but that's my opinion.

On a trail bike, the GD is the way to go!

On a trail bike, the GD is the way to go!

Ah, again, it's personal preference. I've thought about getting one, but always decide against it.

When you get one, you'll wonder why you didn't sooner.

When you get one, you'll wonder why you didn't sooner.

You're an old hand at this marketing bidness.

...I feel Gravity Droppers/Speedballs are unnecessary when one has a QR seat clamp...

I thought so too until I saw an article on the Megavalanche winner who insisted having the remote speedball was a life changing experience.

It's a pity that they have a reputation for jamming, sticking and the clamps not working when the saddle gets knocked. Crankbros/Selle Royal may improve the posts but I'm not holding my breath.

Excuse my crass title, but my Speedball is once again failing on epic proportion. That crap will NOT clamp onto my rails. I jumped a small set of stairs (maybe four feet) and my seat flew off and got caught in between my legs. This isn't to much of a problem, just takes a few minutes to pull out my tools and put the seat back on. However, it is somewhat disheartening that a super-expensive seatpost like the Speedball has such a poorly designed clamp. I don't slam my butt onto the seat after a drop either, I just sit down slightly harder than usual.

This wasn't even the main problem today though. While coasting to the rocks at NCSU (good place to practice 180˚ pivots), I sat up, took my hands off the bars and stretched. next thing I know, my seat flies off the post, I fall backwards and my 'nads are being pulled off by my tires. To say the least, it hurt. I also ran over my own foot.

Took that POS Speedball off today and put on my old seatpost. Unfortunately, I stored it incorrectly so I found a dent in it, and had to use my Dad's post. Now I have to go out and get a new one for my bike tommorow. I figure I'll be plain and just get a Thomson Elite.


You disapoint me, Maverick.



I can't say anyhing bad about the Thomson. They're srtong,and light.

Igotta tell ya, the vision I got of you getting your nads ripped off by the rear tire made me LOL out loud!!! You made my morning.

While coasting to the rocks at NCSU (good place to practice 180˚ pivots), I sat up, took my hands off the bars and stretched. next thing I know, my seat flies off the post

Perhaps you put it on wrong?

On a trail bike, the GD is the way to go!

What does the Grateful Dead have to do with this??

what doesn't the omnipotent grateful dead have to do with anything? and by the way profail, same thinrg happened to me with a different seatpost and put me in the hospital. i feel your pain. imo, risking your balls isn't worth it. get a thomson and a QR clamp. your unborn children will thank you.

what doesn't the omnipotent grateful dead have to do with anything? and by the way profail, same thinrg happened to me with a different seatpost and put me in the hospital. i feel your pain. imo, risking your balls isn't worth it. get a thomson and a QR clamp. your unborn children will thank you.

But will society thank you for saving his unborn children? :)

But will society thank you for saving his unborn children? :)

:(

I'm glad you lol'd at my misfortune, 66. You are a horrible person, 66. ;)

Anyway, I smashed my derailleur today, and that's being fixed first.... It was so worth it IMO, though, since I pulled off the biggest move I've ever done in the process. (Hop onto rock, 90? font pivot to another rock, 90? pivot again onto another rock, roll back, side-hop off, smashy RD)

I guess I'll try to get rid of the SB for a little cash.

@Troie

Negatory, I made sure each clamp was on securely and mega-tight.

Balls Jammed

Lol. That's what you get.

Lol. That's what you get.

<3

=3

=3

>={

I thought so too until I saw an article on the Megavalanche winner who insisted having the remote speedball was a life changing experience.

Changing seatposts, life changing? All this time I thought getting married, having kids, moving, ect were lift changing. Sounds like a sponsored riding boosting the product.

Changing seatposts, life changing? All this time I thought getting married, having kids, moving, ect were lift changing. Sounds like a sponsored riding boosting the product.

SHILL!



</roadie>

I feel Gravity Droppers/Speedballs are unnecessary when one has a QR seat clamp. I know many will disagree, but that's my opinion.

So how is that QR seat clamp at dropping your saddle height for that 30 yard section of DH, and then raising it for that 200 yard climb, and then dropping it for that 20 yard descent, and then raising it for that 10 yard stinger climb, etc. all while riding along and not stopping?

Your QR seat clamp vs. GD/Sb/AMP is an apples to oranges comparison fueled by your lack of experience with seatposts that let you adjust saddle height on-the-fly.

Riders interested in an informed opinion should disregard your posts.

I just stick my seat in a middle spot for the trail I will be hitting and deal with it.

When did we all become such whimps?

I just stick my seat in a middle spot for the trail I will be hitting and deal with it.

When did we all become such whimps[sic]?

It's not about being "wimps" since folks can ride the same section of trail whether they lower their saddle or not.

By being able to lower, and raise, your saddle on-the-fly it is simply more fun to rail the same sections of trail at higher speeds, both up, and down.

The folks that don't see any benefit to on-the-fly adjustable seatposts have obviously never used one.

Thanks for the heads-up about the Speedball's clamp. I'd been mildly intrigued by them over the GD but am leaning back the other way for the day when I finally give in and spend the smart money on one.

Thanks for the heads-up about the Speedball's clamp. I'd been mildly intrigued by them over the GD but am leaning back the other way for the day when I finally give in and spend the smart money on one.

Check out the negative reports on MTBR reviews. More than a handful, mostly about the clamp slipping and almost all on 3 month and older ride reports. There are also some negative comments about stiction and siezing but that seems like poor cleaning.

It's not about being "wimps" since folks can ride the same section of trail whether they lower their saddle or not.

By being able to lower, and raise, your saddle on-the-fly it is simply more fun to rail the same sections of trail at higher speeds, both up, and down.

The folks that don't see any benefit to on-the-fly adjustable seatposts have obviously never used one.

I can also see a benefit to adding an internal combustion engine to my bicycle, you know, for when I get tired. More riding = more fun. Engine = more riding, therefore, bicycle with engine = more fun.

The only folks who don't see the benefit to adding an engine to their bicycle have obviously not tried it.

The point is, remote adjustable seatpost= (expensive) luxury, not necessity.
The benefits are obvious, but some don't personally feel the need.

The point is, remote adjustable seatpost= (expensive) luxury, not necessity.
The benefits are obvious, but some don't personally feel the need.

I got my GD for a bit more than the price my LBS retails a Thomson seatpost...not really an expensive "luxury" item in my book.

Lots of other things on bikes aren't necessities either but people still spend money on them...forks, shocks, disc brakes, derailleurs/shifters, etc...

Due to my complete ignorance on the topic, I am curious. When using a remote adjustable seatpost, can you limit how high or low the seat goes or do you adjust it by feel on the fly?

I think the Speedball can be adjusted anywhere in its travel. The Gravity Dropper has pre-determined stops.

I think the Speedball can be adjusted anywhere in its travel. The Gravity Dropper has pre-determined stops.

Seems that the pre-determined stops would be an advantage, in my opinion. Are you limited to two stopping points? One at the top and one at the bottom?

Seems that the pre-determined stops would be an advantage, in my opinion. Are you limited to two stopping points? One at the top and one at the bottom?

Most of the GD are like that but you can get some with two drop points...a 1" drop then a full drop.

I got my GD for a bit more than the price my LBS retails a Thomson seatpost...not really an expensive "luxury" item in my book.

Lots of other things on bikes aren't necessities either but people still spend money on them...forks, shocks, disc brakes, derailleurs/shifters, etc...

The price differences I noticed were far more considerable.

My point was that a GD is a luxury, just like the components you listed, and that everyone draws a line somewhere. Matt P. and I draw the line on this side of the adjustable seatpost, others, elsewhere.

Some "banned" participants go on the offensive when anyone else's opinion differs from theirs, and that's who I was trying to address. :D

Gravity Dropper: $240
Thomson Masterpiece elite: $140
That's a considerable difference.

I got my GD for $160...you need to shop around more.

I got my GD for $160...you need to shop around more.

Why don't you tell everyone who might be interested where you got your seatpost for $80 less than Pricepoint's price?

If I were in the market for one, I would automatically assume it is out of my price range, based on the msrp and prices displayed during a cursory search.

That's still double the cost of a Thomson Elite....

I got it from my LBS...and last time I checked with Larry at Mountain High Cyclery, his were well under $200.

I got it from my LBS...and last time I checked with Larry at Mountain High Cyclery, his were well under $200.

That's cool. Unfortunately his web site doesn't seem to list them as something he sells, and there are no prices. Forgive me if I failed to exhaust every resource when quoting a roundabout price for something I'm not even actively pursuing.

Look at the reviews on MTBR and see what nearly everyone lists as their purchase price.

:rolleyes:

That's cool. Unfortunately his web site doesn't seem to list them as something he sells, and there are no prices. Forgive me if I failed to exhaust every resource when quoting a roundabout price for something I'm not even actively pursuing.

Look at the reviews on MTBR and see what nearly everyone lists as their purchase price.

:rolleyes:


Hey, don't get all touchy because you can't afford one.

Hey, don't get all touchy because you can't afford one.

You seem to be the touchy one. Somewhere along the line you seem to have inferred that I was calling the GD a frivolous purchase (which I did not) and implying that anyone who has one wasted their money (which I did not).

We just disagree about what constitutes expensive, and what constitutes a luxury.

It's all good. :D

The folks that don't see any benefit to on-the-fly adjustable seatposts have obviously never used one.

That's becoming more and more evident as this thread "progresses." I had 5 minutes on never's GD in the Fall and my seat height has been annoying me ever since.

paul emick, it has been my experience that the really good deals (and reviews, for that matter) come as a result of actually talking to people, and not as a result of teh interwebz.

I can also see a benefit to adding an internal combustion engine to my bicycle, you know, for when I get tired. More riding = more fun. Engine = more riding, therefore, bicycle with engine = more fun.

The only folks who don't see the benefit to adding an engine to their bicycle have obviously not tried it.

A simply horrible analogy that fails miserably.


The point is, remote adjustable seatpost= (expensive) luxury, not necessity.


I haven't seen anyone claim that they are a necessity. You are the one that invented that straw man.


Matt P. and I draw the line on this side of the adjustable seatpost, others, elsewhere.

False. MattP made no mention of luxury, as you have done. He wrote "Gravity Droppers/Speedballs are unnecessary when one has a QR seat clamp" which is silly since the GD allows you to do something that a QR seat clamp simply can't.

Using MattP" "logic" a QR seat clamp is unnecessary when one has a seat collar and a 5mm allen key.


Some "banned" participants go on the offensive when anyone else's opinion differs from theirs

False.

paul emick, it has been my experience that the really good deals (and reviews, for that matter) come as a result of actually talking to people, and not as a result of teh interwebz.

I totally agree. I wasn't searching for reviews or the best price in this case. Never said that his GD was "a bit more" than a Thomson's retail, and I wanted to quickly compare two items, with which I have no experience. The internet may not be the be-all and end-all of commerce, but when a modest search tells me that something is selling for $250, I feel that it's a safe ballpark figure.

Now if only one of my exorbitantly wealthy friends would buy a GD so I could try it out. :D

A simply horrible analogy that fails miserably.

I disagree. A lot of things can make bicycling "more fun," gears, suspension, remote seatpost, infrared vision, tires that spontaneously regenerate new knobs when the old wear down, computer controlled geometry adjustment that automatically optimizes your riding position....

At some point, everyone draws a line. Some people draw it near the beginning of this list, others nearer the end.

I can accept that, can you?

You guys are all gigantic lame-o's. GD's/SB's are DEFINITELY luxuries. Awesome luxuries? Yes, but definitely something that I can live without. I'll be saving up for a Gravity Dropper, but until then I'm happy with my Bonty Race seatpost w/ QR.

Stop arguing.

I disagree.

One of the simplest reasons that it is a horrible analogy is because you're describing a motorcycle, not a mountain bike.


A lot of things can make bicycling "more fun," gears, suspension, remote seatpost, infrared vision, tires that spontaneously regenerate new knobs when the old wear down, computer controlled geometry adjustment that automatically optimizes your riding position....

At some point, everyone draws a line. Some people draw it near the beginning of this list, others nearer the end.

I can accept that, can you?

You're arguing with your straw man again.

You're the one that brought up "luxury" in reply to a discussion of MattP's claims that a QR seat clamp and a GD performed the same, making a GD unnecessary if one had a QR seat clamp.

His comments were not about "drawing a line," they were evidence of a distinct lack of experience with adjustable seat posts and/or a lack of familiarity with the functional differences between a QR seat clamp and GD post.

One of the simplest reasons that it is a horrible analogy is because you're describing a motorcycle, not a mountain bike.

Nice try. Let's argue about semantics, since we're in agreement substantively.:D

You guys are all gigantic lame-o's. GD's/SB's are DEFINITELY luxuries. Awesome luxuries? Yes, but definitely something that I can live without. I'll be saving up for a Gravity Dropper, but until then I'm happy with my Bonty Race seatpost w/ QR.

Stop arguing.

You have no idea what they're talking about.

You attempt to sort GD and SB into two categories, as either a necessity or a luxury. This is incorrect. As many people in this thread will profess, having a gravitydropper is neither. While certainly not a necessity, it is also not entirely a luxury for those who need to raise or lower their seats often.

Attempting to sort things into black and white categories is futile. The judgment of whether GDs and SBs are luxury items will be dependent on their extent of usage, economic background, etc.

... but, of course, a kid with his parents bankrolling his gear wouldn't understand that.