Bicycle Mechanics - Seat post will spin freely, but won't come out

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sonatageek
05-12-09, 07:50 PM
I decided to take a quick look at a few of the lower end flip bikes that I need to get ready to sell. One is a 70's era Schwinn Varsity that is in really nice shape, save for the condition of the decals. I went to raise the seat and it was a no go. I loosed the bolt and the post will spin freely in the seat tube. There is no sign of rust or a dent in the seat tube, but the damn thing will NOT raise out of tube my more than a few millimeters.

So what are my options? I could take the seat off and clamp something stouter to the post and try to smack it out with a hammer, but wonder if anyone has a better idea?

BenReed
05-12-09, 07:58 PM
Do you still have the seat connected to use as leverage? Put the seat on and tilt the bike sideways a little and pull on the seat while quickly rotating the seat from side to side.
wrk101
05-12-09, 08:53 PM
+1 Leave the seat on. Get some PB Blaster, and soak the post overnight. It should come out fine the next day.

As long as the post is turning, I would not use one of the more aggressive methods.

operator
05-12-09, 09:39 PM
Leave the seat on. If the post spins but doesn't come out easily you have 2 choices

1) use fire
2) hacksaw down the length of the tube

Do 1 if you don't care about the paint job, do 2 if you got a **** load of time on your hands. I'd recommend 2 if it spins
mrrabbit
05-13-09, 12:41 AM
Second wrk101...

...plus an additional step....

If necessary, remove the crank/bottom bracket...soak from the inside down - pivot bike so it is upside down. Basically soak it from both side over a 24-48 hour period.

=8-)