Broken Carbon Seatpost - A tale of woe (and swearing)

[Kestevan]

I managed to break my seatpost on the way home. It snapped off about 20mm above the clamp and made the remaining 5 miles rather interesting to say the least, I may even have swore a couple of times.

Of course the post was then stuck in the frame, and no amount of pulling on the carbon shards with pliers would free it at all, at this point there was definately some swearing.

I checked the net for a recommended method of removal, and the best bet seemed to be to take a hacksaw blade and cut through the sides of the post in 2 or 3 places, then crush the post with pliers and pull out.......

This was duly attempted; the post cut through and crushed with no problems. Then the fun started. The Trek seat-tube is oversize for most of its length, and then narrows for a couple of inches near the clamp. I'd managed to free the post just enough for it to free up at the narrow section. When I moved the pliers the post slipped back into the frame, disappearing completely. Cue swearing.

No amount of prodling about in the tube, turning the bike upside down, and/or swearing has managed to extract the seatpost. I suspect the crushed tube has expanded again, sealing itself into the seat-tube.

I've left it where it is, and fitted a spare seat-post for now. Seams OK other than a rattling noise. I suspect the only way to remove it will be to take the BB out, and hacksaw the tube into 20mm sections and remove in pieces.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this process may involve considerably more swearing.

 

[black'n'yellow]

unlikely you will be able to access via the BB shell. Some sort of hook arrangement would probably do it...

 

[ianrauk]

that does seem a very sweary thing to have happened...

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Apologies, but I did laugh when I read this.

It might be more faff than it's worth but I have used this method before, although not specifically on broken seat posts.

You need a "spread metal toggle fixing" (fourth one down) that are used on hollow walls attached to something rigid: the metal trim used by dry liners and plasters is ideal as it is flexible enough for the end to be bent at right angles and it is thin enough to screw through.

If you turn the bike upside down, hopefully the broken post will slide down. You may need to fasten the toggle shut with an elastic band or sticky tape to get it passed the post and pull that off with a bit of string perhaps.

It does sound a bit Heath Robinson but it's got me out of more than one scrape and sounds easier than trying to saw the post through the bottom bracket.

Swearing optional.

 

[Globalti]

Just leave it where it is.

 

[Kestevan]

Just leave it where it is.

I have to admit, I suspect this will be the ultimate "solution"......

 

[ianrauk]

I have to admit, I suspect this will be the ultimate annoying "solution"......

ftfy

 

[VamP]

Oh man, I am swearing in sympathy here.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I use alu seat posts, and I've never had to swear at one

Oh! hang on, expect for the stupid 24mm ones the bloody French decided to use for a few years

 

[dan_bo]

I've sworn at an alu seatpost when it stopped being a seatpost about 3 miles from home.

 

[TheDoctor]

And I've sworn at alloy ones when they decided to become an integral part of the frame.

 

[Muttley]

I'm impressed you cycled 5 miles without a saddle.
I'd keep forgetting and try to sit down!

 

[Kestevan]

Trust me, the thought of a razor sharp, 2" jagged carbon enema does wonders for your memory.

 

[fossyant]

Trust me, the thought of a razor sharp, 2" jagged carbon enema does wonders for your memory.

How did the soft end manage then ?

 

[Garz]

Oh man, I am swearing in sympathy here.

+1 on this thought - sucks that pal!