So, I'm putting together my first bike (Takara Kabuto). I understand it isn't the best bike, but I won't discuss that. I've set everything else up, but can't for the life of me figure out how to tighten the seat post. I tighten the little piece that comes with it and the seat still spins around and slides up and down.

I checked the specs and your bike seems to include an aluminum seat clamp collar. Make sure it's on right side up and slid down over the frame's seat tube. You should grease the inside of the collar, and also the seat post itself. Then the collar is tightened via a quick release lever (I believe) which is tightened by adjusting the nut until it makes contact with the lever sticking straight out (half way through it's range of motion. Then flipping the lever the rest of the way closed tightens the clamp. You may have to to some trial and error to get the adjustment so the lever can close with a decent amount but not excessive force.

BTW- not meaning to insult or talk down to you, but the seat clamp is one of the easier items to assemble and tighten, so if you're having problems, consider having someone more knowledgeable review your work to make sure it's right.

+1 Many times the hubs and headset, among other things, will need adjustment on new bikes. FB's point of having someone check these is good advice.

There is no quick release lever. It's just the clamp with an allen socket. I tighten it all the way and it's still spinning like the wheel of fortune.


EDIT: I'll take a picture.

Was there supposed to be a shim ? I don't know if new bikes use shims, or if they are for mismatched seatposts.

From the photos I've seen, this piece is what I'm supposed to have.

OK, Go back and read my first response.

The clamp must be fitted around the frame's seat tube to work. That's the only way it can close the frame tube around the post. Yours isn't.

Loosen the clamp all the way and slide it down over the frame until it's fully bottomed. If you can't, I suspect it's because the clamp is upside down and the top lip is on the bottom.

Also be sure to reread my reminder to have someone review your work. Your problems with this simple part indicate weak skill and knowledge, and I'd hate to be the guy who told you how to tighten the seat only so you could go out and crash because something else was wrong.

Bob,

I hope you got the seat post settled and can move on with the rest of the bike, but please take my suggestion to seek help seriously. The problem isn't that you don't know, you can learn. The problem is that you don't know what else you don't know and so may be building unknown hazards into your new bike. At the worst these can cause injury (or worse), and at the least, unnecessary added expense.

If you don't have a friend who knows bikes, see if there's a bike co-op in your town. These are places where you can work on your own bike, while getting help and guidance along the way. There's one in almost any major city. You can search for "bike Co-op", or see if there's a bike advocacy group locally, as these often run co-ops, or can hook you up with someone who might help you for the cost of a few beers.

FB,

I will get the seat fixed once I get home. I will see if someone can look everything over before I use it.

Looks like the collar is upside down. There is a flange to keep the collar from slipping down over the seat tube. Remove the seat and post, flip the collar over, then make sure it is set snug on the top of the seat tube.

got the seat on, but am having issues with the brakes. I haven't the slightest clue how to get them to stay in place, so I'll just take it to somebody and have them fix it!

Park Tool's website has a good repair guide.

Under the circumstances this is probably a good idea.

BTW- if you take a moment to complete your profile, including the city where you live, people might be able to steer you to a decent shop or bike co-op.

Or just plain offer to help.

Yellow tires? Really?

Did you check to make certain you've got the correct size seatpost? Sounds like it might not be. Most bike shops have a tool for checking what size your bike requires.