Brooks Cambium Fail

[benford]

So I posted this on an earlier thread about Brook's Cambiums but thought that it deserved its own thread.

So this is a picture of my second Brooks Cambium C15 that I broke.
Screen Shot 2016-01-04 at 6.12.35 PM.jpg
This was the second C15 within a year that I managed to 'crack'. Both failed in the same place. Seems like a major design flaw. To clarify, I weigh about 150 lbs with all my work gear on. So, not that heavy....

After the second one broke, I warrantied and just went with a Swift. Bummed that a product that has so much potential isn't as great as it is on paper.

[Cicli]

Wow,
I just plunked down for a C13. Hope it survives.

[fa63]

Interesting. I am 225 and have been using a C17 for over a year now with zero issues. I have a second C17 on another bike which is newer, but no issues with that either.

[benford]

Originally Posted by Tihsepa

Wow,
I just plunked down for a C13. Hope it survives.

I was thinking of getting a C13 actually! It looks as though the carbon rail under the nose of the saddle is curved. Which is less stress on the area. That's why mine broke.

[eddief]

just kidding. I guess neither is known for great quality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9w-y24Waz4

[bicycletricycle]

Originally Posted by fa63

interesting. I am 225 and have been using a c17 for over a year now with zero issues. I have a second c17 on another bike which is a not newer, but no issues with that either.

+1

[merckx]

The very end of the nose is not a place that sees much leverage. Seems odd. What were the circumstances of the failure?

[JMacII]

Originally Posted by merckx

The very end of the nose is not a place that sees much leverage. Seems odd. What were the circumstances of the failure?

+1 this. Seat pushed super far forward? Just not seeing in my mind how you could apply force? Almost seems like seat would have to be jammed forward and then you perched on the nose?

[Geeheeb]

I have a c17 carved and its still going strong

[R3awak3n]

I have a buddy that uses his everyday for the past year and its looking really rough but no cracks at all and he is about 100lbs more than you

[Louis]

Originally Posted by JMacII

+1 this. Seat pushed super far forward? Just not seeing in my mind how you could apply force? Almost seems like seat would have to be jammed forward and then you perched on the nose?

A seat pushed all the way back relative to the post would increase the load at the fwd end. (assuming a constant sit-bone position) Pushing the seat fwd (clamp closer to back end) reduces the load at the fwd end.

[benford]

Originally Posted by JMacII

+1 this. Seat pushed super far forward? Just not seeing in my mind how you could apply force? Almost seems like seat would have to be jammed forward and then you perched on the nose?

I had the seat post positioned in the middle of the rails. And it broke because I was doing 'cross style mounts. Which is harder on a saddle, but it should be able to handle it. My personal opinion is that the saddle should be alright for long rides if you just hop on it once. But lots of repetitive mounts seems to strain the saddle too much.

[merckx]

Got it. Now I understand how that failure could occur. The rubber does have some spring to it, so pouncing on it repeatedly evidently tugged on the nose rivet until it pulled through.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by benford

And it broke because I was doing 'cross style mounts. Which is harder on a saddle, but it should be able to handle it.

I can see how they might not have designed it for cyclocross mounts - that's way more stressful than "normal" roadie use, unless we're talking 250 lb rider stuff.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by benford

I had the seat post positioned in the middle of the rails. And it broke because I was doing 'cross style mounts. Which is harder on a saddle, but it should be able to handle it. My personal opinion is that the saddle should be alright for long rides if you just hop on it once. But lots of repetitive mounts seems to strain the saddle too much.

Were you racing cross? I had a customer who broke 2 Selle Italia saddles..after he broke the warranty replacement, I asked him what the fook was he doing? Cross mounts(not racing cross)...they warrantied the second one but wouldn't have done a third.