Bicycle Mechanics - Turning Japanese...Campy crap!

I'm sure the majority of the Campagnolo good stuff is fine quality, but after breaking two Campagnolo seat post collar binder bolts in a month I'm looking for options.

I'm just po'd right now. I was really wanting to ride my new fixed gear today and to work next week and I don't want to wait on a mail order Campy bolt again.

Can I just get a bolt and nut from the hardware store and be back in business or should I get a bona fide bicycle seat post binder bolt?

Whenever I think about my next bike it's always included a Campy gruppo, but Shimano is looking pretty good right now.

If it is just to tighten the seat clamp I would slap a hardware store nut and bolt in there, maybe with a washer on the nut face and bolt face. Ask the Hardware personnel for the hardest strongest one they have available in the size you need.

Okay, I'm no expert, but I think I'd ask myself why that bolt is breaking. It should be in pure tension, and even cheap low-budget bolts are very strong in tension. If that bolt is breaking it almost has to be due to shear forces or over tightening, and if everything is "right" there shouldn't be any shear forces there and no reason to over tighten! Are you sure your seat post is of the right diameter and that it is inserted deeply enough into the down tube?

John

Okay, I'm no expert, but I think I'd ask myself why that bolt is breaking. John

The seat post is 27.2 mm and I think it is even the original that came with the bike. The first bolt lasted as long as I have had the bike (10 - 11 years). This latest bolt allowed me to tighten it down maybe 3 - 4 times. I only tighten enough till the saddle won't move side to side with steady force from my hand. The seat post fits nicely in the seat tube (you have to work it down in there with some effort).

The bolt while labelled "Campagnolo" may be a cheap imitation. After all, I got it off ebay. :rolleyes:

How about it? Think I'd break or deform my frame if I tighten down something like this:

Not necessarily. I can't tell from the picture, but if the flat surfaces of the bolt head (or washer) and the washer under the nut are bearing flat on the faces of the pinch clamp and don't overlap to bear against other parts of the frame it shouldn't be a problem unless you over tighten the assembly.

If the bolts are breaking when you tighten them though, then it could just be a cheap bolt after all. Tightening applies shear force (actually tortional, but about the same effect) and if the bolts are of poor quality shear (or tortion) is the way they'd break.

I'd visit your LBS - you don't necessarily need a campy bolt and I'm sure your LBS should have something that fits.

John

Not necessarily. I can't tell from the picture, but if the flat surfaces of the bolt head (or washer) and the washer under the nut are bearing flat on the faces of the pinch clamp and don't overlap to bear against other parts of the frame it shouldn't be a problem unless you over tighten the assembly.

If the bolts are breaking when you tighten them though, then it could just be a cheap bolt after all. Tightening applies shear force (actually tortional, but about the same effect) and if the bolts are of poor quality shear (or tortion) is the way they'd break.

I'd visit your LBS - you don't necessarily need a campy bolt and I'm sure your LBS should have something that fits.

John

If that don't do it, then get a HARDENED bolt....you won't break it!!!!

Well, my hardware store bolt job is holding up fine but it looks ugly.

Yesterday, I was riding with a friend who told me he had a similar problem with stem bolts. He said he found that these bolts were only good for 2 - 3 "tightens" because they bend slightly when installed and when you tighten them down second or third time you may tweak that weakened spot enough to break it.

If you overtorque the binder bolt, especially if it is ungreased, it will snap. It only needs to be tight enough. Check the Park Tool site for correct torque figures.

The bolt while labelled "Campagnolo" may be a cheap imitation. After all, I got it off ebay. :rolleyes:


Bingo! Try ordering a genuine bolt from your LBS. If it breaks, at least you could get a replacement.

i really wonder if this is a case of "user error" as opposed to a faux campy part..

sd

i really wonder if this is a case of "user error" as opposed to a faux campy part..

sd

No, it's not.