Bicycle Mechanics - Seat Post Stuck in Carbon Frame

I just discovered a potential problem. My seat post is most definitely stuck in my Aegis carbon frame. Hmm, luckily it is at the precise spot I need it to be when riding, sadly if I want to put the bike in my shipping case I won't be able to.

Anyone had this problem before. It appears that the post may have had a film of grease on it when installed. Ironically this may have been the reason the post and frame are one. :confused:

Am I in trouble here or can I just force it until it breaks free? Maybe I'll have to send it back to Aegis and have them break it free? This is an expensive frame and I don't want to risk messing it up or breaking a stuck seat post in it either.

I may have to just leave it as is and hope my legs don't shrink as I get into my senior years. :rolleyes:

Sounds like a nasty problem! I recently read not to put grease in a carbon frame because it wouldn't grip at all. My Kestrel came greased up from the bike shop and it holds just fine so I don't know exactly what to tell you. I'd contact Aegis if I were you. Definately don't want to fark up your frameset. I hesitate to tell you to squirt something down there as well...

The best way to loosen and remove the seat post from your frame is to:

1) Remove the wheels, front fork, and handle bars from the frame (for convenience).

2) Turn the bike upside down and place the protruding part of the seat post in a bench mounted vice.

3) Turn the bike frame back and forth around the seat post. You should have the proper leverage with this technique to loosen the seat post.

You may be tempted to use a vice grips to grab onto the seat post and twist like hell. Let me save you the aggravation - forget the vice grip approach.

Did you check their website for FAQs/tech support?

Originally posted by RainmanP
Did you check their website for FAQs/tech support?

No not yet. I have talked with Aegis before on other subjects and they are an extremely helpful and supportive manufacturer (unlike Cannondale). Good suggestion! Thanks!



Originally posted by mike
The best way to loosen and remove the seat post from your frame is to:

1) Remove the wheels, front fork, and handle bars from the frame (for convenience).

2) Turn the bike upside down and place the protruding part of the seat post in a bench mounted vice.

3) Turn the bike frame back and forth around the seat post. You should have the proper leverage with this technique to loosen the seat post.

You may be tempted to use a vice grips to grab onto the seat post and twist like hell. Let me save you the aggravation - forget the vice grip approach.

I will run this advice by Aegis as well, again thanks!

if the 'turning the frame upside down and clamping the seatpost in a vice whilst using the frame as a lever to free the post' method seems a bit too brutal, there is a secret freeing agent that works wonders on things like stuck seatposts and stems. this wonder potion is called 'coca-cola', yes it's true! but it has to be genuine coke. i've never known another 'coke' brand work. it works better than any lubricant/freeing agent. to apply it to a seatpost isn't too easy though as you need to leave it to soak in. the ideal way is to remove the bottom bracket and pour coke in through the b.b shell so it runs up the seat tube. leave it to soak in for as long as it needs, if it won't free up (it should) try the 'clamping the post in a vice' method after it's been soaked in coke. i don't know why it works but it does (watch it not work now!). it makes you wonder what coke might do to your insides!

tip: don't drink the coke afterwards!

let me know how you get on!

cabledonut.

p.s. once freed, use 'copper slip' (well that's what it's called here)as opposed to grease when you put the post back in.

Thanks for the recommendation! I'm not sure there is a hole in the BB mount going up the seat post, but it's worth a look.

Thanks again we'll give it a try:)

When I worked at a car dealership one summer, they used Coke to clean the shop floors on Friday afternoons. A two liter bottle would cost just under a dollar and a cleaner/degreaser was 3x's that!. Each mechanic would take a bottle and pour it all over his work bay, let it sit for 1/2 hour and then hose/broom it away! Sparkling floors! ....caveat - the floors were epoxy painted concrete, so grease would not soak into the floor!

However, I have used this method on my home driveway and it works better than anything else I've tried!

I have NOT tried this to loosen up stuck seatpost, but HAVE tried it to clean bearings. (works pretty well)
L8R G8R:D

Gus, if this is a carbon fibre frame, then do not use solvents!!!
Carbon fibre is brittle, and torsional loads may break it. Applying heat will likewise ruin it. Be real careful, or take it to a shop.

Originally posted by D*Alex
Gus, if this is a carbon fibre frame, then do not use solvents!!!
Carbon fibre is brittle, and torsional loads may break it. Applying heat will likewise ruin it. Be real careful, or take it to a shop.

You're right Alex, I'm calling Aegis before I do anything. Thanks.

Sheldon Brown has "15 ways to Unstick a Seatpost" at the following url:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck_seatposts.html

I don't know if they will work with a carbon frame, but give it a look.

Kevin S.

No, these definitely will not work with carbon fibre!!

a2psyklnut,

yeh coke is amazing stuff! it cleans, and works as a freeing agent. anybody know why? put a corroded copper penny in some coke, leave it for a day or two and check out the sheen on the penny! no wonder it gives me gut rot! tastes nice though!

cabledonut.

Hmmm I'm not so sure about using Coke... I mean , It might fix the bike troubles ...but the ants will drive you crazy !!!

Originally posted by Buddy Hayden
Hmmm I'm not so sure about using Coke... I mean , It might fix the bike troubles ...but the ants will drive you crazy !!!

yeh but then you uptake my favourite pastime of burning ants with a magnifying glass! hours of entertainment! burn fizz pop burn fizz pop burn fizz pop..................can't think of a more relaxing and satisfying thing to do after a long ride to unwind. am i on my own on this one? thought so...

cabledonut.