well, i have something else to report. i was on a ride yesterday, and went down a harsh root drop, and heard a very loud crack. my saddle is older, and loose, so i figured i fat-guyed my saddle. When i rolled up to the group, one of them said (he's a bike mechanic) that it was my seat post that made that awful noise. it made a couple other smaller noises throughout the rest of the ride, but still seems "ok". i guess i'll need to have it looked at. i'm not a big person, i shouldnt have broken it already, but who knows.