Am I too heavy?
05-12-14, 11:09 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
Am I too heavy?
Today the bolt holding the saddle rails to the saddle clamp broke in half!
At a 135 lbs, am I now too heavy ?
Or is it a cheap bolt on an expensive seatpost/saddle combo?
First time ever that I broke a bolt like that since I started riding in the mid-1970s!
At a 135 lbs, am I now too heavy ?
Or is it a cheap bolt on an expensive seatpost/saddle combo?
First time ever that I broke a bolt like that since I started riding in the mid-1970s!
05-12-14, 11:14 PM
#2
bicycle snobs stay away.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: AUGUSTA MAINE
Posts: 187
Bikes: 26" Huffy Cranbrook Men's Cruiser Bike with allen sports trailer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am Pushing 240 LBS... you're not to big... just keep at it..
05-13-14, 05:09 AM
#3
Semper Fi
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
241 Posts
Knowing you, Rudy, it just flat wore out from use
with all the miles you and Mrs. Kay log
. Either that of just a defective bolt that gave up the ghost, finally.
Bill
with all the miles you and Mrs. Kay log. Either that of just a defective bolt that gave up the ghost, finally.Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
05-13-14, 06:14 AM
#4
Super Modest
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,456
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC
Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10957 Post(s)
Liked 4,613 Times
in
2,118 Posts
05-13-14, 06:17 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Louisiana
Posts: 3,055
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
3 Posts
At 135 pounds, you're a a real tub 'o lard. Seek medical attention immediately
Alternately... I guess they don't make 'em like the used to.
Alternately... I guess they don't make 'em like the used to.
05-13-14, 07:02 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Some kind of parts/metal fatigue I'd guess. I weigh 220 and sometimes wonder about my very lithe road bike frame from the 70's.
05-13-14, 08:09 AM
#8
Let's do a Century
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times
in
408 Posts
It is very obvious you are NOT eating and drinking the same stuff that I consumed while I was in Tucson last week. I bet you've never even been to Guadalajara on Prince Street!
__________________
Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
05-13-14, 08:11 AM
#9
The Improbable Bulk
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 8,379
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
If you are too large for one bolt, I need at least 3. 
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
05-13-14, 10:02 AM
#10
Banned
Ouija board is DNF
As I dont know what specific post you are speaking of .. IDK .. It may be cheap and the bolts doubly so .. chromed mild steel ..
many, the lower cradle is what supports the rider's weight, the bolts just control the tilt.
perhaps you need to pick another seat post for it's beefy design .. maybe this: Tall & Handsome Seatpost from Paul Component Engineering
Or, Universal Cycles -- Nitto S83 Seatpost
My older American Classic post was machined out to be thicker on the front/back to resist bending forces too
IDK about the new Candy cane style Universal Cycles -- Seatposts > American Classic Seatposts
As I dont know what specific post you are speaking of .. IDK .. It may be cheap and the bolts doubly so .. chromed mild steel ..
many, the lower cradle is what supports the rider's weight, the bolts just control the tilt.
perhaps you need to pick another seat post for it's beefy design .. maybe this: Tall & Handsome Seatpost from Paul Component Engineering
Or, Universal Cycles -- Nitto S83 Seatpost
My older American Classic post was machined out to be thicker on the front/back to resist bending forces too
IDK about the new Candy cane style Universal Cycles -- Seatposts > American Classic Seatposts
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-13-14 at 10:05 AM.
05-13-14, 03:49 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Rural Minnesota
Posts: 1,604
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 75 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
My guess is a titanium or alloy bolt that was defective or had been tightened too much at some point and was already cracked. I'm a fan of SS hardware when possible, but then the last time I was 135 pounds I was in Jr High.
Last edited by GravelMN; 05-13-14 at 03:53 PM.
05-13-14, 04:03 PM
#12
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,526
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3884 Post(s)
Liked 1,937 Times
in
1,382 Posts
The second recent broken seatpost bolt! Bad shipment of Chinese bolts. OTOH you probably did just wear it out. Stoker and I are only 134, so we haven't peaked yet. We're still trying to wear out our first tandem.
05-13-14, 04:50 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
fietsbob:
The seatpost: Specialized carbon fiber.
The broken bolt: nice and shiny chromed cheapo?
LBS told me they did not have such a bolt so hightailed it to Ace Hdwe.
Ace is the place . . .
Rode it today, worked just fine.
The seatpost: Specialized carbon fiber.
The broken bolt: nice and shiny chromed cheapo?
LBS told me they did not have such a bolt so hightailed it to Ace Hdwe.
Ace is the place . . .
Rode it today, worked just fine.
05-13-14, 04:57 PM
#14
Semper Fi
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
241 Posts
It seems that few of the fasteners on bicycles are high quality, I regularly go to Lowes and match up one of the peanut butter fasteners that come on many components now with a good grade 8 or a stainless steel that fills the bill. Glad you found the fastener you needed, Rudy, now go wear another one out with your large mileage numbers.
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
05-13-14, 05:36 PM
#15
You're looking at the wrong scale, your weight is great. You or your shop needs to use one of these:
05-13-14, 05:50 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Looks to me like you have 2 choices:
1. Ride less.
2. Buy a new bolt.
I'm betting you'll go for choice #2 . If you buy two so that you have a ready replacement on hand, Murphy's Law says that the one on your bike will never break again.
1. Ride less.
2. Buy a new bolt.
I'm betting you'll go for choice #2 . If you buy two so that you have a ready replacement on hand, Murphy's Law says that the one on your bike will never break again.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
05-13-14, 08:29 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Tucson Az
Posts: 1,671
Bikes: 2015 Ridley Fenix, 1983 Team Fuji, 2019 Marin Nail Trail 6
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 336 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
135 Posts
I'm pretty sure my skeletal structure weighs more than 135lbs, I think your weight is fine.
05-16-14, 06:42 AM
#19
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mid-Atlantic
Posts: 548
Bikes: Too many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The blame for inferior metals rests with whomever contracted with the External Manufacturer.
Does Specialized spec out the fasteners and do they routinely verify that they are getting the quality specified?
This is an extremely common problem and often has nothing to do with using a torque wrench.
Does Specialized spec out the fasteners and do they routinely verify that they are getting the quality specified?
This is an extremely common problem and often has nothing to do with using a torque wrench.
05-16-14, 07:04 AM
#20
Senior Member
I guess I'd settle for two out of three.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
05-16-14, 07:29 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,246
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8259 Post(s)
Liked 8,983 Times
in
4,452 Posts
Let's see, I have only broken 1 seatpost bolt but have broken 4 saddle rails, 4 seatposts, 4 frames, 2 mtb shocks, snapped 3 pedals, countless spokes, and over a dozen wheels.
05-16-14, 07:31 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,246
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8259 Post(s)
Liked 8,983 Times
in
4,452 Posts
05-16-14, 08:10 AM
#23
Pedo Grande
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 872
Bikes: Cervelo C3, Serotta Legend Ti, Vitus 979
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Material fatigue. Likely caused by over tightening and the stresses of riding. The clamp on my older Campy post broke after it had been tightened down due to creaking. After close inspection it was apparent that the failure point was long in the making, the recent adjustment brought about its demise. Funny thing though, I was going to adjust the saddle position and after I loosened it the broken piece fell to the floor. Btw I weigh about 135 or so as well.
05-16-14, 08:42 AM
#24
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mid-Atlantic
Posts: 548
Bikes: Too many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cozy Beehive: Broken Thomson Seatposts & The Overtightening Syndrome
https://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...lts_signed.pdf
Bolts that are too lose will fatigue.
Is it possible people confuse lb-ft with N-m and over tighten just a bit.
Thompson claims they are the only ones in the industry checking their "nuts/bolts" at incoming.
https://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...lts_signed.pdf
Bolts that are too lose will fatigue.
Is it possible people confuse lb-ft with N-m and over tighten just a bit.
Thompson claims they are the only ones in the industry checking their "nuts/bolts" at incoming.
05-17-14, 07:19 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Posts: 1,398
Bikes: Trek 720, Trek 620, Trek 520, Steel Schwinns, AD Puch, Kona, Nishiki Pro, All City Disc Spacehorse, Waterford
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Liked 101 Times
in
52 Posts
Stuff breaks.
At between 208-216 lbs stuff probably breaks more frequently with me.
I take my bikes into the LBS a time or two during the year for a safety check.
It helps identify parts that need replacement (perhaps) before failure.
At between 208-216 lbs stuff probably breaks more frequently with me.
I take my bikes into the LBS a time or two during the year for a safety check.
It helps identify parts that need replacement (perhaps) before failure.
