So I was tightening up my saddle when...

[Deleted member 20519]

I was tightening up the nut on my saddle after adjusting it when...

No idea how this happened, but the screw snapped into 2 pieces.

 

[Globalti]

Cheapo components I'm afraid. Is that the top of the seatpost in pic 1 or has it also snapped off?

The problem with cheap bikes is that the metals used are low quality and not strong so have to be heavily built, meaning more weight. Then because they're so cheaply made they are difficult to adjust and they break easily.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Cheapo components I'm afraid. Is that the top of the seatpost in pic 1 or has it also snapped off?

The problem with cheap bikes is that the metals used are low quality and not strong so have to be heavily built, meaning more weight. Then because they're so cheaply made they are difficult to adjust and they break easily.

Yeah, that's the seatpost in the picture.

 

[Norm]

Yeah, that's the seatpost in the picture.

That didn't answer the question.

Re the saddle clamp, the good news is that you should be able to take that bolt to any small hardware store and get a replacement without much outlay. The bad news is that all the other bolts on your bike might be made of the same material. Oh, and don't tighten it so hard next time.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

That didn't answer the question.

Re the saddle clamp, the good news is that you should be able to take that bolt to any small hardware store and get a replacement without much outlay. The bad news is that all the other bolts on your bike might be made of the same material. Oh, and don't tighten it so hard next time.

Well that's not very reassuring.

And you asked 'Is that the top of the seatpost in pic 1 or has that also snapped off?' and I replied with 'yes, that's the seatpost' so it hasn't snapped off.

 

[Norm]

It wasn't me that asked but "that's the seat post" would be the answer either way. You didn't say whether the seat post had snapped or whether that was the original top of the seat post. TBH, though, if the top of the seat post is that badly finished that it looks like it has snapped as standard, that's also not very reassuring.

How much pressure were you applying to the nut when it sheared like that? Even low quality metal should take some force to snap.

 

[Night Train]

It might be worth telling us what the bike is and showing a photo of the whole bike.

It looks like the seat bolt is also bent in the middle of the threads. That may indicate that it doesn't clear the seatpost properly or the seat clamp is not presenting a flat face on each side to the head of the bolt and the nut. That will make it difficult to get it clamping tightly and cause premature failure of the next bolt.

Maybe your current two threads could be moved to Know How at some point.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

It might be worth telling us what the bike is and showing a photo of the whole bike.

It looks like the seat bolt is also bent in the middle of the threads. That may indicate that it doesn't clear the seatpost properly or the seat clamp is not presenting a flat face on each side to the head of the bolt and the nut. That will make it difficult to get it clamping tightly and cause premature failure of the next bolt.

Maybe your current two threads could be moved to Know How at some point.

I know nothing about this kind of stuff -

http://i.imgur.com/fZISj.jpg

 

[Night Train]

Any idea what make it is? Where did it come from? Was it new when you bought it?

I also suspect it could be a low quality budget bike but that shouldn't stop you enjoying using it. It may mean that you end up spending a lot of time in the Know How forum reading up and asking questions.

You are starting right though, trying something and asking when you can't sort it so that is a good sign on your part.

How does it did it ride when it was still in one piece?

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Any idea what make it is? Where did it come from? Was it new when you bought it?

I also suspect it could be a low quality budget bike but that shouldn't stop you enjoying using it. It may mean that you end up spending a lot of time in the Know How forum reading up and asking questions.

You are starting right though, trying something and asking when you can't sort it so that is a good sign on your part.

How does it did it ride when it was still in one piece?

Any idea what make it is? No, it had stickers on it when I got it (second hand) but I peeled them off and can't remember what they were.
Where did it come from? Person I bought it from said the purchased it a year ago and that it was never used, it was in good condition.
Was it new when I bought it? No, it wasn't new. A year old probably, good condition though.

How did it ride? It was find, the wheels were slightly buckled and I was planning to get that fixed. There wasn't anything wrong with it, it felt sturdy and it was good on the road.

 

[Arch]

Yes, it looks eminently upgradable, bit by bit.

Colleague of mine found a scrap frame - it was actually a semi decent bike, a Spesh Sirrus I think, but components shot to bits. According to local kids, it had been "Mental Brian's bike". My colleague has worked on it over the months, harvesting better scrap parts as he found them, spending a bit on stuff like tyres, and respraying it a sort of Surly camo green, and it's now a really nice but moderately inconspicuous bike set up for commuting or touring.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Yes, it looks eminently upgradable, bit by bit.

Colleague of mine found a scrap frame - it was actually a semi decent bike, a Spesh Sirrus I think, but components shot to bits. According to local kids, it had been "Mental Brian's bike". My colleague has worked on it over the months, harvesting better scrap parts as he found them, spending a bit on stuff like tyres, and respraying it a sort of Surly camo green, and it's now a really nice but moderately inconspicuous bike set up for commuting or touring.

The only reason I got this bike was that I had literally no money. I have no money to spend doing up bikes and I don't even know how

 

[Arch]

Any idea what make it is? No, it had stickers on it when I got it (second hand) but I peeled them off and can't remember what they were.
Where did it come from? Person I bought it from said the purchased it a year ago and that it was never used, it was in good condition.
Was it new when I bought it? No, it wasn't new. A year old probably, good condition though.

How did it ride? It was find, the wheels were slightly buckled and I was planning to get that fixed. There wasn't anything wrong with it, it felt sturdy and it was good on the road.

In that case, it's fine. You might benefit from replacing nuts and bolts for better quality, over time. Stuff like that generally fails when you're fettling anyway, so when you know you have to do a job like that, try and have a replacement bolt ready and just swap it over.

The good thing is that it's non-sus. Much less scope for low grade components, specced down to a price limit. Apart from the risk of total frame failure, which is very tiny/negligable (and has been known even on expensive bikes), the scope for upgrade is in easily swappable parts.

Main thing is, it suits you, and you enjoy it!

 

[Deleted member 20519]

In that case, it's fine. You might benefit from replacing nuts and bolts for better quality, over time. Stuff like that generally fails when you're fettling anyway, so when you know you have to do a job like that, try and have a replacement bolt ready and just swap it over.

The good thing is that it's non-sus. Much less scope for low grade components, specced down to a price limit. Apart from the risk of total frame failure, which is very tiny/negligable (and has been known even on expensive bikes), the scope for upgrade is in easily swappable parts.

Main thing is, it suits you, and you enjoy it!

It's a good little bike. Don't get me wrong, I'd kill for a road bike but they're too damn expensive! It keeps me cycling and that's all that matters

 

[Night Train]

OK, looking at your profile you had it listed as an 'Apollo Decoy 07'.

Apollo is typically a Halfords brand and not nice.
I have recently scrapped two for a neighbour. The first lasted 11 months from new and the second only 9 months from new before they were completely unrideable.

Best not spend too much money on it.

You can replace the bolt with one from a proper hardware shop Make sure it is a high tensile nut and bolt, the bolt should have 8.8 stamped on the end.
Do not get one from B&Q as their bolts are made of zinc plated mild cheddar.

Read up on wheel truing and have a go at it.
Check the wheel bearing and bottom bracket bearings for play and read up on how to adjust them. May be worth checking if they have any grease in them too.