leicanthrope

I'm on the last leg of building up my 1988 Bianchi Campione d' Italia, and I'm looking for an appropriate seatpost. I've gone a bit "retro" with the build, converting it back to non-aero brakes, using just barely out of production Nuovo Record, etc. Anyhow, I need a seatpost that's longer than the stub of a seatpost that came with it. Hoping to find something era appropriate Italian, or at least European, but I'm needing one that's 210-220mm+. Anyone have any recommendations as to models / brands that tended to run long?

Otis

There's some vintage Campagnolo MTB posts that have the length you need but are pretty ugly in stock form. They can be made pretty though with some hand and machine work.

Nitto currently makes some really nice traditional 1 and 2 bolt style posts that have more than enough length. Probably the best and easiest way to go, even if not Euro.

juvela

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Campag road pillars came in two lengths, 140 and 180mm, The 140 seemed to get more use OEM but the 180 was always readily available as a component.

Since you mention your pillar which came with the bike as a "stub" it is likely a 140, if Campag.


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leicanthrope

It didn't originally have a Campy post, it was a Sugino.

repechage

I vote with Otis but locating one of those off road components is not an easy find.

plonz 

I have found the quest for longer seatposts on vintage builds to be a challenge. I've settled for the serviceable but heavy and boring Kalloy all too often.

For my most recent build I came across the Dajia post from Velo-Orange. It's quite nice for a low $ post, is 300mm long and comes in a variety of diameters. Not exactly what you're looking for but could be a decent fallback plan.

Dajia 1b Seatpost, multiple sizes - Seatposts - Components

CliffordK

What size? 27.2?

I'm seeing a few Sugino seatposts listed on E-Bay at 200 or 205mm.

But, does it have to be "vintage"?

This Sunlite appears to be fluted, and is pretty long. It would look nice. You could paint the flutes to match your paint scheme if you wish.

Sunlite Alloy 350mm Seat Post - 27.2mm Silver

Salamandrine 

SR Laprade came in a 250. I don't know of any 80s euro posts that came in long sizes. The only euro post in common use was Campagnolo. Occasionally you'd see Zeus, Galli, Ofmega, etc posts, but they were sized the same.

People didn't use long seatposts and small frame then, which is sort of fundamental to your question. If you want to use vintage correct parts you'll need to fit a frame like they did then. Though frame sizes got smaller in the 80s, they were really only about 2-3 cm smaller than what would have been used in the 70s "handful of post" era. Compared to now frame sizes were big and top tubes didn't slope.

I agree with Otis, Nitto is your best bet.

CliffordK

Are you sure top tubes didn't slope?

Salamandrine 

Yes, 100%. Record track funny bikes not included.

Funny guy... Har har....

If you want to go there, this is where it all started:



I'm guessing you know this, but even mountain bikes still had level TT in 1988. First ones I recall with sloping TT were Kona about '91. It seemed kind of radical then, like a big BMX. By 94-95 or so most MTB were made that way, but it took a few more years for it to spread to road bikes.

T-Mar

I must measure my seat posts in a non-conventional manner, as I have Satri-Gallet, Zeus and Campagnolo posts that measure 21-22cm, from the bottom to the saddle rail mounts.

fietsbob

Fitting trends change and the component makers respond.. I have a rather short 26.8 old Campag in my 58 frame,

It would be far too short in my 56 RB1.. there , I have a newer Campag, same hex head 2 bolt.. just longer shaft.

fietsbob

Nitto? only you would know its from Japan, not Italy.. Paul's, made in California 27,2 ,, only..

SJX426 

I vote for you finding an American Classic.

1987

+1

Campagnolo Euclid are nice:
VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo Euclid (2 fixing straps)
Or Icarus
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.as...c5504&Enum=105

CliffordK

I haven't thought about seatposts much. But, I was talking to someone a couple of days ago about my old bike.

He thought it was a Super Record seatpost. I was pretty sure it was Nuovo Record.

Seatpost.jpg

The fluting just goes down a little further, the post got lowered when I changed my cranks.

Anyway, the conclusion was that it was a Nuovo Record post that received aftermarket milling, then had the flutes painted, and now has been used on a bike for decades.

Anyway, if you find one of those vintage long Campy posts, one could add similar fluting, and probably not compromise the post too much..

leicanthrope

Yeah, it's 27.2.

It doesn't have to be vintage, but that's my preference. Italian / European would be my first choice, followed by something American or Japanese, and then something modern.

Otis

Here's a Campy Icarus I did for a customer with the same issue. First photo after fluting around the logos and face. The second photo is after blending the top with the shaft. These have a bonded top and the stock transition is very tacky.

This one had an alloy shaft, I think some of the later ones may be steel (?) and would not be able to be modded like this.

1987

Very stylish. And the blending is not even visible in the photo.
Ah, I took a look at your flickr. Impressive work!
Really like the modded Campagnolo brake bolt!