Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies® by Dennis Bailey

Author:Dennis Bailey [Bailey, Dennis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published: 2010-03-09T06:00:00+00:00

After loosening the seat post, you should be able to slide the seat post up and down. If the post is difficult to move, try rotating the seat back and forth while pulling up on the seat. This is usually enough to pry it free.

If the post still won’t move for you, you can try dripping some oil or penetrating lubricant on the seat post and letting it work its way down between the frame and the seat post. Another last-ditch trick is to use a screwdriver and pry apart the clamp or lug pinching the post together.

2. If you used oil or penetrating lubricant to loosen the post, use a degreaser afterwards to clean it off.

You’ll want it clean so that, when you apply grease to prevent corrosion, the grease will adhere to the post.

Before installing the post, apply grease to its shaft to prevent corrosion.

Don’t use grease if you have a carbon frame or seat post. Grease can cause a chemical reaction that can attack the carbon frame and/or carbon seat post.

3. Set the saddle and seat post to the proper height while tightening the bolt or quick-release clamp.

Make sure the saddle is aligned straight.

4. Give the bike a test drive to confirm that the saddle is at the right height.

When you’re comfortable with the height, use a file or other tool with a sharp edge to mark the correct height of the post. If you have an expensive or stylish seat post that you don’t want to mar, you can also use a piece of electrical tape to mark the seat post. This marking will allow you to reset the height if the post loosens for some reason.

Suspension seat posts

When most people think about suspension on bikes, they think of rear and front suspension on mountain bikes. What doesn’t get a lot of attention is suspension in the seat post (see the figure). If you’re looking for a more comfortable ride, you might want to consider this option.

When you’re installing a suspension seat post, read the owner’s manual to understand how to preload it for your weight. Heavier riders need a stiffer suspension than lighter riders do.

Suspension posts should be set a little higher than normal because your weight will cause it drop slightly. Riding a bicycle with a suspension seat post takes a little getting used to because it’s a couple inches higher when you first get on, and then it compresses with your weight to the proper height for riding. Take your Allen wrench along when you ride and you can adjust it when needed.

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