jeebusaurousrex

I'm currently using a nice aluminum seatpost taken off from a circa 2000 Lemond. It looks great, but unfortunately I can never seem to get the saddle position exactly how I want it. I raced this entire season alternating between 2 adjacent notches, but one seems too nose down and the other nose up. FWIW I just want the Rolls saddle to be completely flat which the notches do not allow.

So the simple option is to get a modern seatpost, but most seem painted/anodized black and the styles don't really look right on older bikes.

Any vintage options that look similar to my current one?

This was from the summer. I should really take a more current photo of the bike:

lostarchitect 

There are some modern seatposts that are very simple and probably wouldn't look out of place, although they won't look especially pretty either. I have this one on my Mercier and I am happy with its adjust-ability: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ils&ProdID=962

Not the fanciest thing in the world, and only one bolt, but I can adjust the angle as I see fit.

mikeybikes

Those still have notches that only allow a discrete angle adjustment. I suspect the OP needs something with a continuous angle adjustment.

Which is understandable. I have a couple bikes that if I use one of those seat posts, I find I need a position in between two notches.

sced

(Nuovo) Record, although it's a bit of a pain to adjust.

These look nice - https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...g-setback.html

lostarchitect 

It has "notches" but they're very small, more like "grips" than notches, really. But I suppose it does limit you in very small increments, about 1/2 a millimeter.

jeebusaurousrex

Yup, that's exactly it. A similar setback would be handy too, though I can probably modify my position to use a longer stem.

The Nitto ones seem nice, but I think they're all notched (discrete) adjustment too.

jeebusaurousrex

That grand cru looks great, but doesn't say anything about being notched or not.

Their cheaper offering shows "non-notched" though. Bonus points for being shiny.

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...bolt-post.html

MileHighMark

The Velo Orange posts are known for being undersized, and inconsistently sized, at that. Plus, the head prevents a level saddle position on some setups.

jeebusaurousrex

Sheesh, I should have looked toward Sheldon to begin with:

https://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#seatpost

Built-in Clamps

Most newer bicycles use seatposts with an integral saddle clamp, which secures the saddle by one or two bolts.

• Two-bolt seatposts use a pair of bolts to hold the blocks of the saddle clamp. Loosening either one of these allows you to slide the saddle back and forth. Loosening one and tightening the other allows you to adjust the tilt. (If one of the bolts is larger than the other, the larger one should be loosened before making any adjustment to the smaller one.) This type of mechanism allows a finer level of control of the saddle tilt, because it doesn't rely on the meshing of teeth in serrated parts, so this type of seatpost is also known as a "microadjust" seatpost. (Single-bolt seatposts are also sometimes called "microadjust," with questionable accuracy.)

So just going by this, any 2 bolt clamp should do the trick.

mikeybikes

1/2 millimeter notches translate to a relatively large angle, in terms of seat adjustment.

Like I say, some bikes it doesn't matter. One of the angles provided is just fine.

On my Miyata, I found I needed something right in between two of the angles. On my Breezer, I don't.

Everyone's butt is different. Yours might not be as sensitive as some of us to minute angle adjustments.

Chombi

JP Routens (JPR), a French company, made seatposts with two bolts that microadjust nicely by pivoting (rocking) the clamp on a curved surface on top of the post so you can get it exactly to the angle you need.
I have it on my Peugeot PSV, and has given me no problems since I bought it installed as OE on the bike in 84.
Look under "JPR" in ebay. they had a good number in differing sizes (27.2, 26.8, 26.4..etc.) for auction earlier this year.

Chombi

Old Yeller

Campy Super Record's do not have notches , look nice, and are relatively inexpensive on ebay. They do sometimes slip though...

dbakl

I think the old Campagnolo 2 bolts are the best. Loosen one bolt, tighten the other: they were called microadjust for that reason.

Captain Blight

I have a JPR seatpost that on my VeloSoleX; it works and works well, if a bit heavy. The Nuovo Record post *is* hard to adjust... with a standard box wrench. Go to any Ace hardware store and buy a 10mm ratcheting box-end wrench for just over ten dollars, and you almost certainly will not regret it. Not only does this make it a HELL of a lot easier to adjust the seatpost bolts, it's really useful around the shop. Might as well get an 8 and a 9 while you're at it.

randyjawa 

I have no idea if this will work, but try turning the base back to front and they go for the setting you seek. Just a thought that I thought of as I was thinking about the problem. I, too, have experienced this and tend, when I can, to go for the Campy two bolt post. It, for my money, is the best post on the vintage market.

bbattle

Is it feasible to grind down the "notches"? Assuming one is mechanically inclined and has the proper tools to do so.

rat fink

A microadjust seat post is an absolute requirement for me. As a result, I've owned/tried a lot of different posts, and I have an opinion on each.

- First of all, don't waste your time with any of the one bolt Kalloy/Velo Orange posts, (or the similar lower end Ritchey designs). They slip and change angles as you tighten the bolt. They also tend to slip on the angle adjustment when riding.
- The Ritchey two bolt posts have a similar problem. The poor fit of the clamp parts (on Pro and Comp models) causes the clamp to loosen/walk when the parts settle. On the top level WCS two bolt model, this isn't really a problem because they use much better fitting parts on those. I wouldn't by less than the WCS for this part.
- Suntour Superbe and Sugino Super Mighty seat posts share the Campagnolo two bolt design. The problem is, many non-leather saddles are hard to adjust, or wont fit at all with that design.

- There are a lot of two bolt microadjusting non-setback seat posts, both vintage and modern, but non-setback is a provides a fit that probably isn't suitable for most riders. The setback versions of the same are typically modern designs and were rare in the eighties.

This Nitto is probably one of the best current posts for your application: https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-seatpost.html

A silver setback Thomson seat post is always an excellent choice as well, but some don't like the way it looks on a c&v ride. Also, the setback versions can only be inserted so far. Based on the stack height of your saddle, it might not work for your application.

You could always buy a current black anodized two bolt seat post, strip the anodizing, and polish it. I've done this a few times with good results, but unless you re-anodize it clear, you will have to keep it polished and it will show wear easier.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

No, the single bolt won't provide sufficient pressure to hold the angle of the clamp unless you overtighten the sh*t out of it... at least not for long. Those notches are there to help hold the clamp in place.

If the OP doesn't want to spend for a Campagnolo 2-bolt post consider the Sugino Mighty which is a Rip-Off of the same design...works exactly the same and its equally as much of a pain in the ass to adjust.

jeebusaurousrex

Thanks all, and thanks Rat Fink for the comprehensive rundown. The Nitto s-83 looks like the best bet and the setback looks about right. Guess I'll have to search for Superbe or Mighty posts on ebay too.

Man, I love C&V's helpfulness.

Captain Blight

It's not helpfulness, not as such, not per se. It's more an insufferable know-it-all-ness that works for this application....

jeebusaurousrex

Alright, I'm going with the Nitto. New and shiny won me over. Thanks again guys.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I identify as a Cynic, but Jeez


My post was helpful.

JohnDThompson 

They are definitely the most finely adjustable, and most secure once set. But they do not play well with some saddles (the skirts obstruct access to the adjusting bolts).

realestvin7

What diameter does your Schwinn take? Probably 26.6.

lotek 

I find the American Classic to be pretty good at providing micro-adjust.
Lots of folks don't like them, they're a bit finicky to set up and I do admit
the 2 different allen wrenches are a pain, however...
The Aluminum one's can be found on ebay inexpensively and
I believe that AC still produces them.

Marty