Eric F

Light weight. Low price. Durability.

Pick 2.

genejockey 

It doesn't even mean it won't happen to him TOMORROW. Probably not, but the probability is nonzero.

Eric F

Accurate. Same applies to my CF seatposts. This is a gamble I'm comfortable with. I'm pretty sure there are other things in my life that are more likely to kill me than any of my seatposts. I mean, hell, my CF frames or wheels could just assplode at any moment, based on what I've learned from the BF collective.

wolfchild

You've been extremely lucky that's all.

terrymorse 

Lucky you.

I would guess that most people never experience a broken component. Which does not mean that components don't break.

Eric F

Based on the anecdotal evidence in this thread, it seems like both of us have. Cheers to our continued luck.

tempocyclist

I've never had a single CF or alloy seatpost snap or fail (and one of mine is from AliExpress). None of my many riding buddies have ever had a seatpost fail on them either.

I guess we're all just extremely lucky humans. 😎

Ironfish653

That presumes that material aside, all seatposts are "equal". Keith Bontrager said it best: "You can have Strong, Light, or Cheap. Pick two."
That applies both to the manufacturers' design, and the individual rider's selection of components for his specific bike.

Anything designed with light weight as the key factor usually does at the expense of maximum strength, or durability; regardless of the cost. (That's why "race" parts often need more maintenance or frequent replacement than mid-tier equivalents)

What I learned as a younger, lighter XC racer (with a deeper budget, lol) was that while the lightweight, expensive stuff held up better than the cheap lightweight stuff, it wasn't indestructible. These days, I'm heavier, and the budget is less generous, so my picks tend towards Strong (but still not cheap)

Larry is a big, heavy rider, with a taste for cheap, lightweight, second-hand equipment. Most of his choices seem like he's way outside the intended design envelope for his chosen gear.
He also doesn't come across as the most mechanically sympathetic individual, despite his job styling him as a "technician;" it seems like the first step in his diagnostic workflow is to apply "percussive maintenance". Hence the trail of broken bikes and parts that follows him across the pages of the Forums.

Maelochs

If someone were to ask me, "Hi, what's this thread about" I would say, "It is a critique of modern educational systems, emphasizing shocking losses in reading comprehension, logical thought, logical analysis, and a shocking lack of honesty."

it always cracks me up when people post stuff like Post #95, only to be followed by posts like Post #96.

Did the poster forget that we can scroll up? Did the poster not think anyone else was actually reading the thread?

it seems people have issues with object permanence---they act as though, if This post is really cool and awesome, people will forget all the other posts which prove it is silly and empty .... Perhaps some people really forget that the rest of the conversation stays there even after we scroll down.

Okay, I confess. I am only here because I am paid by companies sell advertising on this page. I stir things up so people spend more time on the site, which increases ad prices and ths my wages. I don't even own a bike, let alone bikes with CF seat posts.



Neither of these bikes have broken CF seat posts. in fact, neither exists, because, like all Chinabombs, they assploded soon after I built them .... both explosions were fatal.

Atlas Shrugged

Like the potentially millions of other carbon seatpost users. Hopefully when you realize that all the myths you worry about are basically bs there is no Kool Aid around.

tomato coupe

I don't care about carbon seat tubes, but I'm a little bit concerned that there is no Kool Aid. I hope it's just a supply issue due to COVID.

LarrySellerz

Any response to a carbon seatpost breaking that brings up lightweight ultra thin fancy aluminum seatposts that also failed is evidence supporting my claims.

veganbikes

Nope the final adjustment you did was not under the minimum line it was over the line. It broke right at the line. Which is a good sign that that was the failure point. It was being pinched too low on the seatpost and failed because the minimum insertion line was ignored. If you had installed it properly or hadn't adjusted it improperly and it failed then yes it was the first improper installation you did above the line.

Carbon seatposts are fine, all components are generally fine if of quality and installed properly. When you don't install things properly they can fail and carbon when it fails is usually pretty bad so just don't install it improperly.


Oops my bad I should have proofread that better.

No it is not your claiming that magically some non-existent mechanic installed a carbon seatpost properly but some how it was actually installed improperly and failed at the line that was supposed to be inserted properly and torqued to correct spec.

Lightweight components can fail but it doesn't support your claims it supports that yes lightweight components can fail and like I said above if improperly installed it is more likely to fail but properly installed it is less likely to fail.

LarrySellerz

Bro I dont know how many more times I can tell you, I didn't make the final installation

veganbikes

Maybe not but you had to have adjusted it or had someone else adjust it improperly. No actual real mechanic is going to install a seatpost incorrectly like that. If someone claiming to be a mechanic actually truly installed that seatpost and allowed you to roll out of the shop like that which again I highly doubt I would say they need to find a new job as wrenching is not there forte and they are putting lives at risk which is wrong.

Again like I said get a frame that fits properly so you don't have to keep a seatpost above the minimum insertion line and make sure if you adjust the seatpost it is properly installed. As in the minimum insertion line all the way in the frame (not at the seat collar) and make sure it is either properly greased, carbon pasted or anti-seized and also that things are properly torqued using a torque wrench.

Keep yourself safe out there no need to get hurt over a seatpost.

base2 

Imma just gonna leave this right here
Maximum seat height

badger1

No, no it isn't. All that a "single broken carbon seatpost anecdote" demonstrates, absent other credible, verifiable evidence about the inherent unsuitability of carbon fibre as a material from which to construct a bicycle seatpost, is that a particular user under a specific set of circumstances experienced a broken carbon seatpost.

In this case, those circumstances -- attested to by the op himself -- more than adequately account for this "catastrophe" -- a catastrophe that has nothing whatsoever to do with the inherent suitability (or not) of carbon fibre as a material from which to construct a bicycle seatpost, and everything to do with user error.

Polaris OBark

​​​​​​​This was downright prescient:



​​​​​​​

rsbob 

They were considered Marginal Gains.

Fredo76

Thanks.
I looked up that term in relation to cycling, earlier. The example that struck me as potentially consequential was getting a good night's sleep. I don't think people really win races because of light seatposts, or space-age derailleur pulleys, etc. If stuff like that really made the difference, racing would be un-interesting, to me at least.

rsbob 

Sorry< but I forgot to put a -> after my facetious comment And totally agree about sleep + good nutrition

Reflector Guy

I think we're narrowing in on the problem here.

Germany_chris

I didn't want to deal with torque wrenchs and stuff, then I bought some carbon stuff and a torque wrench

mstateglfr 

This exchange was a true joy to read for someone who gets a kick out of unintended irony and absurdity.

Fredo needs to meet up with georges1 so together they can sit on a porch and shake their fists at clouds that pass while yelling at people to get off the lawn.
As already mentioned, it is interesting to see people jump at the opportunity to confirm their own biases, since they frequently end up being bad hot takes filled with incorrect assumptions.

Fredo76

Glad I can help spread more joy!