[CR]Is THIS why I haven't seen many Columbus seatposts?

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

From: "devotion finesse" <devotion_finesse@hotmail.com>
To: CR discussion list <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 08:57:53 -0400
Subject: [CR]Is THIS why I haven't seen many Columbus seatposts?

I few weeks ago, a buddy gave me a seatpost with the Columbus dove stampe d on either side. It has a 1mm wide red band painted around it near the to p and a black clamping mechanism with a single bolt attachment. There is a second small "set pin" on the front of the clamp, accessible from the un derside, which allows you to adjust the saddle angle. There were 4 " sti ffening rifles" along the inside of the post as well, a la SLX. Kind of neat looking, I thought. But the single bolt clamp was odd, as the seat would basically pivot on the bolt until I REALLY cranked on it to tighten it down. Perfect for my townie/beater/fixed-gear Falcon-Merckx. That is, until today. I am riding along the super-smooth NYC streets, when I suddenly happen up on one of those rare "pot holes" and hear POP! I stand up, off the saddl e, only to realize that there is something hitting the back of my leg and rubbing on my wheel. That would be the Concor saddle I had attached to th e seat stays with a section of old chain wrapped in inner tube. The post ha d sheared in half right where it bends into the clamping area, apparently along a crack that must have started at the set-pin hole. I popped into a local shop and upon removing the broken post from the frame , I noticed another oddity. The pillar/shaft itself had a fairly severe bend, clearly visible to the naked eye. The area above the seat lug was cocked back a good couple of degrees. This must have been happening gradually, as I noticed that the nose of th e saddle seemed high a week or so ago and I had to make an adjustment with the set pin. It seems to me that these two flaws were completely unrelated. Anybody els e have similar issues with the quality of Columbus seatposts? Is this why they are relatively uncommon?

Matthew Bowne Scratching my head in... Brooklyn, New York _________________________________________________________________ Need to know now? Get instant answers with Windows Live Messenger. http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM _WL_messenger_072008