WT21

I have a 20+ year old hybrid that I'm thinking of either moving along or sprucing up a bit.

I recently purchased a new road-worthy hybrid, but when I took it over some trails, it was a) more harsh than my old steel bike, and b) given that it was brand new, just kind of broke my heart to be riding on trails.

So, I was thinking I could spruce up my old steel bike, and keep it for off-road rides, family rides (where speed is not needed), and take it to places where I can lock it up without worrying.

My one issue (and the reason I bought a new bike anyway) was the seat post stem is 26.6, which is getting to be a hard size to find in a suspension post. I tried shims and what not, but spent a lot of time fighting with it to stay in place. It uses a single bolt cam to tighten the post.

Will parts for a 20 year old bike just get hard to find? Should I just get a used, but more modern and more trail-worthy bike than a 20 year old hybrid? The brakes and shifters are still fine. It's more about -- can I find a seat post, can I replace the aging stem. Maybe I'm not even asking the right questions?

Any help/thoughts/guidance are appreciated.

I guess my question is -- fix up this old bike, or move it along and get something either new and inexpensive, or used, but not as old?

Andrew R Stewart 

26.6 posts should be available from a few shop suppliers. Like this one:


JBI - Product Details Andy.

FBinNY 

Eventually parts will get harder to find, but that shouldn't be an issue now. I gather that you lost the old post, so won't ask why you don't use it, but 26.6 posts are still available, so it's purely an economic decision.

Is the bike otherwise OK, and is it worth the price of a new post to have a beater bike?

dsbrantjr

I do not have any problems keeping my 25 year old bikes in parts.


How many seat posts do you expect to need? Here's one for $19 and free shipping: https://www.amazon.com/Kalloy-Laprad.../dp/B001CJV7AK

WT21

Sorry, should mentioned (will edit the original post) -- I am partial to the suspension kind, which is what is hard to find. LBS didn't have them, and didn't find any on amazon. I bought one from Amazon with a shim, but it doesn't stay in position well, even with some of the fiber grip lube added. But maybe I just drop the suspension idea. My new bike has a carbon post, and it's fine on the road, but for more trail-riding I was thinking I'd prefer a suspension post???

The frame is worn with one bit of rust. I am the original owner, and it's never been in an accident. I was thinking -- new tires, new seat post. MAYBE a new stem, which is the rustiest looking piece, but the stem is integrated to the post, so I'd have to see if such a part was available, or just leave as-is.

fietsbob

The Better suspension seat post, thud buster , cane creek, also provides sizing shims in addition to the various diameters..

lower cost,( like $25 ) are offered in 1" 25.4 mm , and sizing shim sleeves are made with a 1" ID, and various thicknesses to offer a variety of OD's

26,6 - 25.4 = 1.2.. so shim is 0.6mm thick..



Q: how many times in the last 20+ years have you removed the seat post sand stem and applied a little grease,
insuring it wont seize in place due to rust& corrosion?





....

WT21

I just replaced the post (last suspension fell apart) and had to go with a smaller one with a shim, but I can't get it to stay in place.

SquidPuppet

Did you make the shim, or is it an actual seat post shim with the exact correct dimensions?

dsbrantjr

And a lip at the top so that it does not fall into the seat tube.

WT21

Purchased shim.

I decided I'm not going to keep the bike. I think I might go for a real MTB instead and give that a whirl

Thanks for the replies.

JanMM

A MTB for somewhat rough trails makes sense. Hard tail?

fietsbob

I have 3 bikes with shimmed seat posts, 2 are Thudbusters, and the 3rd is reusing my old 25.0 post in place of a 27.2.
(USE UK, Shim 25.0 ID 27.2 OD)
all 3 had a machined shim inside the seat tube to a 27.2 seatpost.. so the 3rd one has a shim inside a shim.