Bicycle Mechanics - Cross Check Seatpost Clamp Problems

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taliesin
08-06-08, 01:01 AM
My main complaint about my Surly Cross Check is its lack of a rear braze on brake stop, and the resulting brake routing. I have broken several seatpost clamp bolts (one tonight), and it results from the amount of force placed on the lateral section of a teeny bolt - horizontal force holding the seatpost in place, and vertical force holding the rear cantis, all on a 1/3 inch section of a thin steel bolt. I am not over-torquing it, it just seems to be a design flaw. I know that mountain bikes used this type of brake routing for a few years, but it sucks and I wish that Surly would just put a brake stop on the Cross Check.

I am using the stainless seatpost clamp with the Surly logo and not the "Constrictor". Would I have better luck with the Constrictor model? Would a titanium bolt be stronger? Any insight would be appreciated. I would love to find a lasting solution to this.

TimJ
08-06-08, 09:50 AM
How about a seat clamp with a pivoting bolt? Reduces the amount of bend in the bolt. Salsa lip lock is one, but I don't know if there's enough space for a cable hanger.
Metaluna
08-06-08, 12:11 PM
How about a seat clamp with a pivoting bolt? Reduces the amount of bend in the bolt. Salsa lip lock is one, but I don't know if there's enough space for a cable hanger.

The Salsa is a great clamp, but there isn't enough space to mount a hanger. Another option that I've used successfully in the past is to get a Tektro fork-mount front cable stop (http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1805) and bolt it to the seatstay bridge. You can then drill it out an add a barrel adjuster, or use a barrel adjuster designed to fit into a frame housing stop (e.g. Jagwire Mickey).
The only problem is that instead of the beefy bolt that comes with the Tektro that's designed to go all the way through the fork crown, you have to use a small 5mm bolt to thread into the seatstay bridge. I never had a problem with it, but I wonder if it's really strong enough to withstand braking forces over the long haul. You can see it flex a little when you apply the rear brake.

I'm still mystified as to why Surly left off the rear brake hanger on the Cross-Check. I found it to be a PITA. At least they now sell an extra long hanger so you can at least get a barrel adjuster in there and still have decent cable routing, but it does still limit your choice of seatpost clamps.