Originally Posted by
JohnDThompson
Sure, but not the type of loading a clamp imposes.
BITD, I used a carpenter's square to record the saddle height before pulling the post. Might be a little trickier now with sloping top tubes, but the principle is still the same. Also works for installing a new saddle or post. Use a piece of masking tape on the top tube to mark where the nose of the saddle should be. An angle-finder on the saddle will show any tilt in the original set-up. Install the new parts using this information and it's as close to before as possible.
While yes, this is a good idea... you could... oh I dunno... use a sharpie on the seatpost? Works for me? And if the lug has curvature on the top of it, it'll also record saddle twist (I sit on the bike crooked, so my saddle isn't perfectly straight.)