Mountain Biking - Too much seatpost exposed?

Hi,

I just bought my first mountain bike! I bought a '05 Cannondale F300 on sale at a LBS. I decided to just buy a low-end mountain bike since I don't really care if the bike is heavy and i don't care if the gear skips a little. Gears can skip a lot in high-end components too as I've experienced it with my all dura-ace road bike. Anyways, I didn't see a need for an expensive bike and I would look like a tool having a nice mountain bike and i'm just a beginner.

I'm 5'9" and I have a 30 inch inseam so I bought a size medium. I guess from my road biking background, I prefer to have my seat pretty high since I feel more comfortable with it. I feel like too much of my seatpost is exposed as I think about 2/3 to 3/4 of the seatpost is exposed. It seems like that is too much. There is not a max. point marked on the seatpost so I don't know if it's too much. Do you think there's a good chance it'll snap? I might take it over to the bikeshop when I have this week to ask them about it, but any input from you guys will help.

thanks

If you don't see a mark, lower it a little bit.

It should have a mark. I wouldn't worry about the seatpost (very cheap part) snapping, i would worry about the frame. You should have at least 2-3" inside the frame. Take it back to the lbs.

there is a minimum mark on the seatpost you want to keep it a little lower than that. if it is above that mark then you need a longer post.

if youre dura ace equipped bike skips gears a lot, i think you may need to take it to an lbs

If you are as tall/short as you say you are, then you are on the right frame. I am 6'1"-6'2" and I ride a size large frame. My inseam is in the Nei'hood of 34".

It sounds like you have plenty of post left. Make sure and measure where it's comfortable to you (mark it) and take it out and measure the length of post below the mark. You really should have about 3"+ in there. If not, go get a longer one. They make longer seatposts.

if youre dura ace equipped bike skips gears a lot, i think you may need to take it to an lbs

I agree.

As for the seatpost... Do you know what brand it is? If so, contact the manufacturer (or check their web site, though this probably won't work with most OEM stuff). They should be able to tell you what the recommended insertion is.

Medium sounds right.

As mentioned, minimum 2-1/2 to 3 inches minimum insertion and all is well.

Also, since you are a roadie, you probably set your seat so your leg is straight but not locked out. That's too high for your mtn bike. Lower it about an inch or more. The more technical your terrain the lower your seat.

It's "yahoo".
Don't worry about what i ride.

so you don't even have a bike?

If you are in doubt you could always purchase a longer seatpost. If you have a long enough (quality) seatpost and you have it inserted past the minimum amount you should be fine.

Do you have more seatpost showing than I do?

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/100_0251.jpg

If you are in doubt you could always purchase a longer seatpost. If you have a long enough (quality) seatpost and you have it inserted past the minimum amount you should be fine.

Do you have more seatpost showing than I do?

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/100_0251.jpg

Bah! Just another excuse to wave that Ellsworth in my face. Damn you, LowCel. Damn you.

Bah! Just another excuse to wave that Ellsworth in my face. Damn you, LowCel. Damn you.

Oops....sorry! Maybe I should have put a picture of my other one, just as much seatpost exposed on that one. :p

Maybe I should have put a picture of my other one,
do itttttt!!

do itttttt!!

If you insist, here it is. Happy?!?!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/100_0081.jpg

All good advice above; sounds like you're fine, but the two things (in fact) that matter are (1) seat post not so extended that 'min insertion' mark shows (to prevent the seatpost snapping) AND (2) that when in place the bottom of the post is below the bottom of the top tube, where it intersects the seat tube (to prevent the FRAME snapping/cracking at that joint!). As said above, it's easy to check all this; if you've any doubt, buy a longer post; but it's not at all uncommon with mtb to have 8, 9, even 10" of post exposed.

If you are in doubt you could always purchase a longer seatpost. If you have a long enough (quality) seatpost and you have it inserted past the minimum amount you should be fine.

Do you have more seatpost showing than I do?

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/LowCel/100_0251.jpg

Nearly- but then I'm a shortie at 5'6"

Bar stem set up for XC but reverse it for racing.

i prefer to have the seat all the way down.. make a poll.

i prefer to have the seat all the way down.. make a poll.

Ughh, either your bike is to big for you or you don't want to have any use of your knee's by the time you are thirty. Honestly, if you don't have any idea what you are talking about please keep your opinion to yourself. I would hate for someone to come here and mistakingly think that you knew what you were talking about and end up blowing out a knee a few months later.

For downhill, dirtjump, freeride it is fine to have the seat all the way down. Efficiency is not a big concern in those disciplines. For cross country riding which involves climbing it would be pure torture.

Hey i said what I thought. i never told anyone to do anything, and i dont regret it.

Hey i said what I thought. i never told anyone to do anything, and i dont regret it.

Please wait to give advice once you actually have a bike. Then maybe you will have some experience to back it up.

WHat you think i havent had a bike previously in my life, well if you thought that, im sorry, but your an idiot.

WHat you think i havent had a bike previously in my life, well if you thought that, im sorry, but your an idiot.

:rolleyes: Easy there junior, I was just going by the amount of cycling knowledge you have displayed in all of your previous posts.

ok but just a heads up. dont put that seat to high or it might end up your arse.might be a little too late for some people...OH HELL HAha..im just keeding. :D

but you're an idiot.
Stop insulting people, you'll get banned pretty quickly. And your English is terrible.

yeah, shut up kenny.

ok but just a heads up. dont put that seat to high or it might end up your arse.might be a little too late for some people...OH HELL HAha..im just keeding. :D

Please continue with your education because obviously comedy is not going to be in your future. It doesn't look like the possibility of being a writer is all that great either. Just think, in another five or six years you will be going to high school and then four years later you will be off to college.

But you have to admit, my last one was good. Wasn't it?

But you have to admit, my last one was good. Wasn't it?

*cough* *cough* *tumbleweed* *sound of wind* Not at all, it was terrible..

say what?! 15 august 1st. Wait let me gues your 50 years of age arent you? you know there is a different forum for that.

(2 for 2 now)

But you have to admit, my last one was good. Wasn't it?

Uhh, if you say so. If it makes you feel better we can take this to your level.

I'm rubber your glue, whatever you say to me bounces off of me and sticks to you. :rolleyes:

I knew it, you guys are all 50. I think you guys should be looking at a recumbent bike. im sure your knees were gone by the age of 30.

Uhh, if you say so. If it makes you feel better we can take this to your level.

I'm rubber your glue, whatever you say to me bounces off of me and sticks to you. :rolleyes:


HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA I WAS RIGHT!!!
Behold Kennethfaria, the youngest guy on this board.

(should i make a new thread isntead of spamming up this one...srry to you kunsei83)

I knew it, you guys are all 50. I think you guys should be looking at a recumbent bike. im sure your knees were gone by the age of 30.

You figured us out. Since we are all just old foagies maybe you should go find some kids your age to play with. Then again they probably don't want you around either.

Gears can skip a lot in high-end components too as I've experienced it with my all dura-ace road bike.

not when they're adjusted properly....:)

yeah they all dont want to play with me because im to busy playing with their moms.

(3 for 3)

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA I WAS RIGHT!!!
Behold Kennethfaria, the youngest guy on this board.

(should i make a new thread isntead of spamming up this one...srry to you kunsei83)

Why don't you do that. Preferably over at pink bike (www.pinkbike.com). You will find a lot of like minded people over there. Either that or in the bmx forum.

not when they're adjusted properly....:)

Very true. I don't get any skipping with my centaur or my record. I have had Tiagra and 105 shift perfect as well.

say what?! 15 august 1st.
I wish I knew what you were talking about..

I wish I knew what you were talking about..

He's telling us that he is almost 15 so he is not a kid, he's mature. :rolleyes: What he doesn't realize is that there are a lot of 14 year olds on here that are very mature , knowledgable, and are enjoyable to be around and talk to, he's just not one of them.

For example one of the guys on my team is 15 years old and very polite and knowledgable and knows how to listen. He is going to be a very succesful person as well as a great rider. Just looking at him or talking to him you would think he was in his twenties. Another one is apclassic9's son. He is 13 or 14 (sorry can't remember) and as nice of a person that you could ever hope to meet. Age doesn't mean anything, maturity level does.

I think my 15 month old nephew has a better grasp of the english language.

I wonder if any other language has had such a drastic change in how bad their youth are with grammar.

yeah they all dont want to play with me because im to busy playing with their moms.

(3 for 3)

I just got a call from 1992, they said they want their 'yo momma' joke back.

Seriously, stop eating paint chips or you'll never make it to 50 years old.

Such a stark contrast between kenny and girlscout. Similar ages, but scout has it together so much more than kenny its laughable.

Wait who are you to judge me low cell, wait who are you to judge anyone else. WHat are you God or Jesus or something.

hey free pizza why dont you tell your 15 month old nephew to eat his shlt. If im not mistaken he probably has a better grasp of that than anything in his whole life.

Wait who are you to judge me low cell, wait who are you to judge anyone else. WHat are you God or Jesus or something.

hey free pizza why dont you tell your 15 month old nephew to eat his shlt. If im not mistaken he probably has a better grasp of that than anything else in his whole life.

It's not judging, it's an observation. Please grow up, or at least try to act like it before making any further posts. Also quit going around the ban filters before we have your momma wash your mouth out with soap.

ahahh im having fun though. and my last one was better than the other one. And if you guys dont think so...welll something is wrong, you guys have to have some fun. Im Here To Make a Difference on this forum, not on pink bike or the bmx forum.

Wait who are you to judge me low cell, wait who are you to judge anyone else. WHat are you God or Jesus or something.

hey free pizza why dont you tell your 15 month old nephew to eat his shlt. If im not mistaken he probably has a better grasp of that than anything else in his whole life.


Kennethfaria? Why are you so bitter with everyone here? We come to bikeforums for a friendly atmosphere, and to learn. There are a lot of people here who are experienced in all types of biking whether it be someone who is a beginner, someone who rides just for recreation, someone who races professionally or even someone who may own or work at an LBS. We are not here to be mean, to fight or to put someone down. We are all here for a common goal: to enjoy the fantastic world of cycling. So please be a part of us, you are welcome. But we really don't want any friction, okay? :)

ahahh im having fun though. and my last one was better than the other one. And if you guys dont think so...welll something is wrong, you guys have to have some fun. Im Here To Make a Difference on this forum, not on pink bike or the bmx forum.

I hate to be the one to inform you of this but you are the only person here that thinks you are the least bit humerous. Everyone else thinks you are just a lame little kid looking for attention. As for making a difference on the forum don't give yourself so much credit. I'm sure you are already on a few ignore lists and you will probably be on a few more in a short period of time. As for having fun we have plenty, a good bit of which is actually outside on our bikes. You should try it sometime, it's quite refreshing.

What sucks is that you came to this forum asking for help / advice. The people here (including myself) attempted to help you. You had no respect for any of us or anything we had to say. Now why would anyone here give a crap about anything that you have to say now?

when are the mods going to step in and ban this kid, or warn him at least?

wow, kenny doesn't even deserve that bike that his parents want to get him. Where is hank rearden when you need him?