So I rode the new (to me) bike today, to the mall. Specifically to Scheels so I could get some water bottle cages. It's not too far of a ride, probably about a mile round trip, but there is a fairly significant hill, to me anyways, each way (the hill isn't big AT ALL, but I found that I couldn't ride all the way up it, so I walked it).
Here's where the problem is. The other day when I test-rode this bike at the guy's house, everything was fine seat wise I think. It felt good to me. I rode it around for maybe 5 minutes or so around and around the street. The seat stayed fine. Then I brought the bike home, and was wondering about the lever type thing and took the seat out.
Now, I put the seat back in, but when I sit down, the seat wiggles back and forth, and also, it plops right now. The seat is too low. I can't even pedal and extend my legs all the way, which I think if I could have done, I would have had a better shot at that hill.
Is there something I can do to make this tighter?
BeckyW
09-01-07, 11:07 AM
There's a bolt on the opposite side of the quick-release lever that you may be able to tighten some. The lever should be hard to open/close, but not so hard that you can't do it with your bare hands. Open the lever and try tightening the bolt a little.
I've had trouble with my seat slipping, too. Wiping off the grease on the seatpost on the part where the clamp holds it and tightening the clamp as above helped 90%, but I still check it frequently. Lifting up out of the seat a little when you see that you're about to hit a bump helps too.
I'm sure others will have more technical advice :)
jiminos
09-01-07, 12:58 PM
you're solution is spot-on, becky.... no more technical stuff needed.
as becky said, the lever should be a bit of a challenge to flip to the closed position, but you should not have to work extremely hard at it.... there should be just enough pressure when pressing it closed that the lever leaves a brief impression on the palm of your hand....
if there is grease or oil on the post, clean it carefully and completely.
be,
jim
breadbin
09-01-07, 02:45 PM
I wouldn't rub the grease off, its there to stop the seat post welding with the frame. If you're not sure how to tighten it bring it to the shop and get them to do it. Might save you having a nasty accident.
pj7
09-01-07, 03:19 PM
I'll just toss this bit of info in here just to plant the seed in other peoples minds.
My seatpost used to slide into the tube slightly with each ride no matter how tight I clamped it on. I had a shim in place and yes, I had the correct size seatpost, but still it happened. So I mixed a little grease and sand and coated the first 1/4" of the inner of the shim and so far it has not moved a single millimeter. And this is a mountain bike might I add so the seat/post take a pounding.
late
09-01-07, 03:23 PM
Hi,
if the seat is wiggling, then the clamp is loose or something.
There are a couple of last ditch things you can for do the seatpost.
1) Roughen or even groove the surface of the post so that it grabs better.
2) Get a post long enough that it hits bottom. This may require a custom post.
I discovered this by accident. But I can promise that sucker won't slip.
3) Thompson seatposts are good at staying put. They cost a lot, but they are
a really good product.
GlennCoco
09-01-07, 03:29 PM
Well, I haven't gotten on to ride yet, but my initial thought is that Becky is the winner!
I went out and checked it out, and the level was very easy to open and close. So I went and tightened the thing up a few turns, then closed the lever, and it was much harder, so I assume that it is tighter.
We will see how it turns out next time I actually get back on to ride.
Thanks so much everyone!
Halthane
09-01-07, 05:00 PM
Well, I haven't gotten on to ride yet, but my initial thought is that Becky is the winner!
I went out and checked it out, and the level was very easy to open and close. So I went and tightened the thing up a few turns, then closed the lever, and it was much harder, so I assume that it is tighter.
We will see how it turns out next time I actually get back on to ride.
Thanks so much everyone!
Let us know how it goes.
jaxgtr
09-01-07, 05:04 PM
make sure you have it nice and tight, but be careful or you will over tighten and snap the thing in half. I learned that the hard way.
Salsa LipLock or one of about a hundred other collars. I've always had problems with QR collars but these do the trick every time.
Bill Kapaun
09-02-07, 12:02 PM
For theft prevention, I just used a 6mm Grade 8 bolt & nut (with appropriate flat & lock washer) and tightened my seat post TIGHT. Got them at NAPA and they just gave them to me instead of writing a ticket. (I think it helps to look poor):)
I did this after seeing a guy riding a bike without the seat & post!
joelpalmer
09-02-07, 01:14 PM
For theft prevention, I just used a 6mm Grade 8 bolt & nut (with appropriate flat & lock washer) and tightened my seat post TIGHT. Got them at NAPA and they just gave them to me instead of writing a ticket. (I think it helps to look poor):)
I did this after seeing a guy riding a bike without the seat & post!
I got rid of my quick-release seat post clamps for that reason (theft) and slipage. I thought about it for about 10 seconds and realized that it is rare that I really need to quickly adjust the seat height, I've got it set and there's no real need to move it. And if I'm riding and something goes wrong, well, taht's what the open end adjustable wrench in the seat bag is for.
Short version - once you've found a bike you like and a good fit there is NO NEED to keep a quick release lever on your seat, and if you commute there are many reasons not to.
GlennCoco
09-02-07, 01:48 PM
Well, I'm not exactly sure what it is for, but the seat has a long slit-like opening in it, and for now, I've been threading the cable through the seat. I also thread the cable through my helmet too. I don't know how secure it is, but for now it will do until I figure out something more permanent.
Wogsterca
09-02-07, 01:51 PM
I got rid of my quick-release seat post clamps for that reason (theft) and slipage. I thought about it for about 10 seconds and realized that it is rare that I really need to quickly adjust the seat height, I've got it set and there's no real need to move it. And if I'm riding and something goes wrong, well, taht's what the open end adjustable wrench in the seat bag is for.
Short version - once you've found a bike you like and a good fit there is NO NEED to keep a quick release lever on your seat, and if you commute there are many reasons not to.
QR seat posts comes from the mountain biking world, where if your going to something very technical and rough you can lower the seat so it doesn't come up and smack you, and you don't need me to tell you what part of the anatomy that seat is going to hit:eek:
For road riding/paved trails and the occasional rough patch, the QR seat post bolt is just a way for someone to, steal the post and saddle, replacing the QR with a good bolt and nut, will save you the loss of a saddle and post.
jiminos
09-02-07, 02:18 PM
i thought the QR's were part of the biking community seat exchange program.... dang.
CardiacKid
09-03-07, 09:29 PM
Personally, I think QR seatpost clamps are a bad idea, unless you are sharing your bike with someone. Even then, you need to put some electrical tape on the post to mark your position. Once you get the height right, you shouldn't ever have to adjust it. I think the QR clamp was invented by some company that wanted to increase its business by replacing stolen saddles and seatposts.