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Seat Post To Small?

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Old 11-16-02, 01:45 PM
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Seat Post To Small?

I am presently in the middle of building my new read bike and ran into a little problem. I have a Syncros Titanium seat tube that is 27.0 MM. The seat tube dia. is 27.2. (Minimal but I didn't want to take a chance). I ran down to my LBS looking at possible shim options, and they had the part, cost was $8.99. The Mechanic there suggested I save my money, take and cut the ends off a Coke can, and use this as a shim. Through a little trial and error, I came up with a shim that is about 1¼" wide x 3¾" long, and it worked perfectly. My hats off to the Mech. Any one else w/similar 'quick and painless' (to the wallet) fixes out there???
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Old 11-16-02, 02:53 PM
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I don't know about titanium, but aluminum bonds to steel eventually. For this reason, I don't use cola cans for shim stock.

Instead, I use pieces of plastic bottles for shim stock and it works well.
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Old 11-16-02, 03:07 PM
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Most hobby shops and some hardware stores carry brass shimstock, which is not very expensive, that comes in different thickness.

BTW, Greg traded his tandem for a new one with S&S couplers.
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Old 11-16-02, 05:22 PM
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("aluminum bonds to steel eventually")
If that's the case, how could they get away with using all the aluminum seat posts that are on the market w/the various makes of steel frames?

Originally posted by mike
Instead, I use pieces of plastic bottles for shim stock and it works well.
I like this idea though! :thumbup:
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Old 11-16-02, 06:26 PM
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Originally posted by mike
I don't know about titanium, but aluminum bonds to steel eventually. For this reason, I don't use cola cans for shim stock.

Grease.
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Old 11-16-02, 10:43 PM
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Originally posted by Cipher
("aluminum bonds to steel eventually")
If that's the case, how could they get away with using all the aluminum seat posts that are on the market w/the various makes of steel frames?



I like this idea though! :thumbup:
Better bikes don't mix aluminum posts with steel frames.

Usually, this combination is found on the lower-end bikes. Sure enough, though, just because it is being done doesn't mean there isn't a problem.

Grease does help to some extent, but common grease does not seem to prevent the aluminum and steel from eventually bonding.

Once you spend a day cursing and sweating trying to free up a frozen seat post, you will know what I am talking about.
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Old 11-16-02, 10:56 PM
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"Better bikes don't mix aluminum posts with steel frames.
Usually, this combination is found on the lower-end bikes. Sure enough, though, just because it is being done doesn't mean there isn't a problem. "

....don't mix aluminum posts with steel frames?!? Almost every good steel bike (Serotta, Bianchi etc.) I've seen in the recent past has had an alumimum seat post. A few have had Ti posts, and even fewer have carbon posts.

Disimilar metals act like a battery, causing corrosion. Any interruption of the galvanic action by putting a barrier (grease) between the two metals will not allow the corrosion to take place. Any grease, when properly applied will prevent the corrosion.
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Old 11-17-02, 08:51 AM
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Originally posted by mike


Better bikes don't mix aluminum posts with steel frames.

ROTFLMFAO...................where can I get lightweight quality steel posts to go with my quality steel frames??
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Old 11-17-02, 10:47 AM
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Umm....Mike....A steel frame with a steel post is the epitome of a cheap-**** bike. All decent steel frame road bikes use aluminum posts. Have for 25 years......
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