Hairline "crack" in ~'87 High Sierra seatpost?
04-30-15, 08:03 PM
#1
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Hairline "crack" in ~'87 High Sierra seatpost?
So at the co-op where I volunteer, we have this absolutely beautiful, all original, black chrome High Sierra in very good condition overall. The anodizing (?) on the stem has faded evenly to an amazing copper color that I thought was intentional until I looked up the specs. Lovely bike. Rack bosses front and rear are just calling out for some kind of camping trip. It's hard to resist. 
Anyway, I was preparing the bike for sale, and I noticed a horizontal hairline crack in the seatpost about a 1/2 inch below where the clampy part ends and the posty part begins. This crack does not go all the way around, but stops in a about 1/4 inch wide on each side of the post.
Of course I assumed that this post would need to be replaced.
However, I was riding around town, and I spied an interesting older yellow MTB locked up. As I always snoop about such things, I had a closer look. Lo and behold, it was another High Sierra from a different year (probably the very next year).
So here's the weird part. As I was ogling the frame joinery and components, I noticed: THE SAME CRACK IN THE SAME SPOT IN THIS SEATPOST, which appeared to be the same make. The coincidence made me wonder whether the one we have is really about to fail or ... just what.
Has anyone seen or heard about what I am seeing? Could it just be an artifact of manufacturing? Or is this seatpost a known dog? Other thoughts? Thanks.
Sorry that I don't have a photo, but maybe I can add one soon.
Anyway, I was preparing the bike for sale, and I noticed a horizontal hairline crack in the seatpost about a 1/2 inch below where the clampy part ends and the posty part begins. This crack does not go all the way around, but stops in a about 1/4 inch wide on each side of the post.
Of course I assumed that this post would need to be replaced.
However, I was riding around town, and I spied an interesting older yellow MTB locked up. As I always snoop about such things, I had a closer look. Lo and behold, it was another High Sierra from a different year (probably the very next year).
So here's the weird part. As I was ogling the frame joinery and components, I noticed: THE SAME CRACK IN THE SAME SPOT IN THIS SEATPOST, which appeared to be the same make. The coincidence made me wonder whether the one we have is really about to fail or ... just what.
Has anyone seen or heard about what I am seeing? Could it just be an artifact of manufacturing? Or is this seatpost a known dog? Other thoughts? Thanks.
Sorry that I don't have a photo, but maybe I can add one soon.
04-30-15, 08:54 PM
#3
Senior Member
Personally I wouldn't ride a bike with a crack in the seatpost no matter how nice it was. When it fails there's only a few places for that sharp piece of metal to go and none of them are pretty to think about...
04-30-15, 08:59 PM
#4
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I have an '88 Diamond Back and the seat post cracked on it. Replace ASAP to avoid what @clasher was talking about.
04-30-15, 09:14 PM
#5
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As I recall- that's a 26.0 seatpost-
My stem Also did the copper fade- I raised the stem and now I have this black line under the copper!
My stem Also did the copper fade- I raised the stem and now I have this black line under the copper!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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05-01-15, 07:53 AM
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I had this 25.4 seat post break on me while riding, took a few times til it broke bad enough to not ride it. I had to break off the bottom part because I still had to ride home. I put the post between two trees and broke off the last bit as it had split about 2/3 of the way thru.
It is real hard to find a long 25.4 seat post here in Cambodia.
It is real hard to find a long 25.4 seat post here in Cambodia.
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Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
05-01-15, 08:33 AM
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Seatposts are cheap. Replace it.
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05-01-15, 08:58 AM
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05-01-15, 09:17 AM
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What does that have to do with this conversation? The original issue here sounds like a manufacturing issue possibly. The seat post on a 1987 was a two piece where the shaft and head are bonded together. In the case of the 25.4 post that broke, it could have been from deep scratches from twisting, who knows?
Every product is susceptible to failure, I know because I work for a manufacturer and have to visit problem projects frequently.
If these failures make you feel better about carbon fiber, that's cool too.
Every product is susceptible to failure, I know because I work for a manufacturer and have to visit problem projects frequently.
If these failures make you feel better about carbon fiber, that's cool too.
05-03-15, 06:47 PM
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There is really a very good discussion on failure of aluminum stems right now. Much of this would apply to seatposts.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...eath-stem.html
r
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...eath-stem.html
r
05-03-15, 07:10 PM
#15
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So at the co-op where I volunteer, we have this absolutely beautiful, all original, black chrome High Sierra in very good condition overall. The anodizing (?) on the stem has faded evenly to an amazing copper color that I thought was intentional until I looked up the specs.
My stem was black until I lent my High Sierra to my sister in law- apparently she stored the bike on their uncovered back porch- over winter.
As effed up as it was- that stem looked cool. There's that black line RIGHT where it entered the headset.
I raised the stem up a bit to the min insertion line and that black line showed.
Right now the bike is set up with a drop bar.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
05-03-15, 09:11 PM
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I'd replace it. I'm bringing this '92 Miyata Valley Runner home from FL and the saddle was spinning in the post.
When I took it apart to pack I discovered the hairline vertical crack just below the seat rail clamp. The post is 26.8 Laprade. I'll keep it for clamping in the work stand.
When I took it apart to pack I discovered the hairline vertical crack just below the seat rail clamp. The post is 26.8 Laprade. I'll keep it for clamping in the work stand.
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
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