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Saddle will not keep angle, nose tilts upwards

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Saddle will not keep angle, nose tilts upwards

Old 07-27-07, 08:37 AM
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Saddle will not keep angle, nose tilts upwards

I just bought a new bike, and the seatpost terminates in a sort of hook, with the saddle resting on the flat part of the hook in a little carrier. No matter how hard I tighten the bolt holding the carrier in place, I end up out riding and I'll hit a bump or something and the nose of my saddle will rocket into my crotch. This makes the bike very uncomfortable to ride if I'm not carrying a tool to fix it, and it seems like I shouldn't be having this problem. Is this a known bad design? Should I shim it with a little piece of tube rubber or something? Should I take it back to the shop and ask for a different post?
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Old 07-27-07, 08:39 AM
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What brand of seatpost?
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Old 07-27-07, 08:45 AM
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You need to go Here:

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Old 07-27-07, 08:47 AM
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It's a Ritchey post.
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Old 07-27-07, 08:49 AM
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I have a Ritchey WCS that I have not been at all happy with when it comes to staying in adjustment. All I can say is to grease the bolts and tighten the heck out of them.
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Old 07-27-07, 08:53 AM
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The thompson is a $100 seatpost. I don't really have that kind of money right now.
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Old 07-27-07, 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by tram
The thompson is a $100 seatpost. I don't really have that kind of money right now.
I bought a new one ~ $65 online, still not cheap, but less than $100. Also picked up a used one that had been cut (but still long enough for me) for ~ $40 on ebay.
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Old 07-27-07, 09:19 AM
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Go ask for a different post. I've got a kalloy that won't stay in adjustment and it doesn't matter how hard you crank the bolts, it's just a bad seatpost (and I've always had good luck with kalloy). If they don't want to give you a different post I think you could probably get away with something pretty cheap. Heck, my wife's bike has a forte (performance bike) seatpost on it and it works fine. I've used nashbar seatposts with no problems. Sometimes a seatpost just sucks.
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Old 07-27-07, 09:45 AM
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Maybe if you shift the saddle 1/2" further forward on the post your weight wont put so much leverage on it and it will keep its position. A hex key from Sears that can fit in a ratchet wrench will allow you to tighten much harder. I have found this worked with slipping handlebars.
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Old 07-27-07, 09:47 AM
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On a new bike, you should go back to the shop and ask them to rectify it. The bike should be under warranty, so they'll get paid by the manufacturer for their efforts.
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Old 07-27-07, 09:56 AM
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saddle angle

I had a similar problem and finally took the seat-post out and dis-assembled it and found the splined cam used to adjust tilt was installed backwards,even though it was stamped with an arrow showing proper way to install it.After installing it correctly,no further problem.Hope this is helpful.
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Old 07-27-07, 10:00 AM
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+1 for the greasing. I had a $15 Forte seatpost that kept coming lose tinking and even allowing the seat to move forwards and backwards. Finally, I took the whole thing apart, applied grease everywhere metal parts come in contact and put it back together. It has been fine since.
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Old 07-27-07, 10:28 AM
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There's an easier answer than buying a new seatpost.

1. Loosen the saddle clamp.
2. Tap the bottom of the moveable serrated portion of the clamp to separate it from the fixed section.
3. Adjust your saddle angle and retighten the clamp.

Last edited by Retro Grouch; 07-27-07 at 08:26 PM.
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Old 07-27-07, 03:24 PM
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+ 1 for the advice you've received. First take it back to the shop you bought it and have them make it right.

If not, take the seat off, dissassemble the seat clamp and see if there is anything obviously odd. Reassemble, grease the bolt, adjust seat, and tighten well. A little allen wrench won't put a lot of force, you might want to get an allen head for your socket wrench. Maybe there's a FAQ or tech / installation guide at the Ritchey web site.
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Old 07-28-07, 12:18 AM
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Originally Posted by vpiuva
I bought a new one ~ $65 online, still not cheap, but less than $100. Also picked up a used one that had been cut (but still long enough for me) for ~ $40 on ebay.
Was it cut to 270mm and sold like 2 weeks ago? If so, that was mine. Still wish I could have kept it, but the setback bend was lower than the insertion I need on my new frame. Excellent seatpost. My Bontrager one is a decent alternative, but not as nice. Ritchey should work, though, how tight are you setting the bolt? And is it 1 or 2 bolts? 2 is much better imo.
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