Bicycle Mechanics - Proper position of seat clamp

I have a '04 Trek 2200. I stopped by Livermore Cyclery on a ride last Friday to ask about my seat height. They raised the seat, but the kid also stated that the seat clamp was on backwards. He said that they ship with the clamp the wrong way and if I don't turn it around, I could damage the carbon fiber seat post. This sounds bazaar to me not to mention that it looks weird with the screw in the clamp on the leading edge of the post instead of the trailing edge as I received it. Is there any truth to this information or was this kid's info incorrect? Thanks, Steve

I have a '04 Trek 2200. I stopped by Livermore Cyclery on a ride last Friday to ask about my seat height. They raised the seat, but the kid also stated that the seat clamp was on backwards. He said that they ship with the clamp the wrong way and if I don't turn it around, I could damage the carbon fiber seat post. This sounds bazaar to me not to mention that it looks weird with the screw in the clamp on the leading edge of the post instead of the trailing edge as I received it. Is there any truth to this information or was this kid's info incorrect? Thanks, SteveKids, their BS and the stuff they must smoke. The 04 Trek catalogue shows the bolt in the back.

I heard once that the bolt is supposed to be on the same side as the slot in the seat tube.
Makes sense to me.

Yup...that's what I thought, too. Maybe he was messing with me since I bought the bike at a different bike shop! Geez. Thanks! Steve

Yup...that's what I thought, too. Maybe he was messing with me since I bought the bike at a different bike shop! Geez. Thanks! Steve

If he was "messing" with you AND your ride, his owner should be made aware of it. There are potential liability issues should this employee "mess" with something and hurt someone or damage a ride. I am sure the owner would appreciate knowing. If not, I am certain the owner will be warned that at least you now know his or her people are messing with you.

Are we talking about the clamp on the post or the clamp on the seat tube?

I am not sure about other seat posts but Campy says to reverse the clanp on their Record carbon seat post, maybe the mechanic was referring to this.

I am not sure about other seat posts but Campy says to reverse the clanp on their Record carbon seat post, maybe the mechanic was referring to this.Well, the trek catalogue and pics of all the bikes with CF posts show the bolt to the back. If you have a frame that doesn't have a reversable clamp you would be a bit hosed wouldn't you?

FWIW, some component manufacturers advise against having the slots lined up when clamping carbon components that don't have a stress-relief profile. For instance, ITM states in their stem instructions to have the shim slot opposite the clamp slot if the stem is being installed on a CF steerer.

I have a USE Alien carbon and the directions say to turn the seat post collar clamp so the bolt faces forward or I might end up with carbon fibers up my ***.

I got further corroboration from Chain Reaction Cyclery as well as Trek Tech Support. It seems that the trend now is to reverse the clamp so the nut is forward of the post to help distribute the stress. It looks kind of weird, but if it prevents a failure:eek:, I'm all for it! Guess the "kid" wasn't messing with me after all! :)

I recon you should go in and tell the manager that the kid was actualy being helpful. As opposed to accusing him of "messing with you"