Two Bolt Seatposts
 

Hiya Folks,
I've been tweaking the fitting of my 1961 Holdsworth Cyclone and while I've got the saddle fairly good it's always tricky to adjust the angle.
The seat tube is slightly oval so I'm using an 80's SR LaPrade 27.0mm which works fine but apparently the two bolt mechanism makes setting
the angle much easier (if you've got the right spanner).

Reading on here the original two bolt mechanism is the Campagnolo 1044, but there's also the Sugino Mighty.
There's also some Nitto seatposts but they seem to be only 27.2.

So can anybody suggest an adjustable seatpost (27mm) other than the above ?
Adjustable as in better than SR LaPrade, and bonus points for looking good.


Campy 1044: https://www.velobase.com/ViewCompone...7-29856a826f2c
Sugino Mighty: https://www.velobase.com/ViewCompone...bee02&Enum=105

If I was doing it again I would get the frameworks to put the seat tube back to 27.2, but hindsight is always perfect :)

American Classic seat posts are vintage, 2 bolt and very nice.

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other replicas of the Campag include the ANPI and Zeus Criterium from Spain


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...41fc6a4656.jpg

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Jean-Paul Routens (JPR) made a 2-bolt seatpost that adjusts with allen wrenches from the bottom side. You can have your cake and eat it too: it's much easier to adjust than the Campagnolo-style posts, while being micro-adjustable and holding the saddle firmly in place. The JPR 3000 is from the mid-1970's I believe, and they also made a similar 3001 fluted model. I have one on my '75 Moto Grand Jubile and it is my favorite seatpost.
If you want something more period-correct, Ideale made an all-steel micro-adjusting clamp that mounts to a standard straight-tube seatpost. I have one on my ´62 Jack Taylor and it has worked very well: micro-adjustable, easy to adjust and no slippage.

That JPR looks quite interesting, there are even 5 x 27.0mm ones on Ebay.
They're also relatively well priced.

JPR 3001 fluted: https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...m=105&AbsPos=3

On the other hand Hilary Stone has.
Is there any difference between Campy 1044 and Sugino Mighty, other than Sugino is fluted and a lot lighter ?

SR Royal, which came in several variations according to Velobase.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6b1f494f8.jpeg


A quick internet search indicates that these came in 27.0, as an ornately-fluted one is listed for sale here (link).

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...56a8eef73e.png

+1 on these. Cheaper versions are labelled 'CUSTOM". I find them regularly at jumble sales for little money and usually buy them. It's nice to have a stash in various sizes.

These two, a nicely satin-finished ROYAL and a CUSTOM, I picked up recently for a handful of euros:


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b1bc970e06.jpg

Sakae Ringyo made two-bolt posts in both the Campagnolo and Simplex styles in a range of diameters:
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7f083a272c.jpg
Adjusting the Campagnolo style two-bolt posts is easier if you have the right tool; a 10mm flex-head ratchet:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...332ef3bf20.jpg

I gotta get one of those...

For a 60's era, I wouldn't rule out a steel Simplex. Also called Tige de Selle meaning saddle rod. The head clamp is different but allows a decent tilt range. Open end spanner grabs those nuts ;\
Slight variations available through the years and doubt the period correct police can denote them all. Diameter in 27.2 exist.

If you have a bike co-op nearby they almost certainly have an adjustable reamer. At my shop, when someone comes in with a 27.0 frame, 100% of the time I suggest we ream it to 27.2. It takes 15 minutes and opens up a much larger post selection.

So far it's looking to me like

Best mechanism:.
Most authentic.
Best Alternative.
Given I've already got a fluted SR LaPrade I should probably try the Sugino Mighty and see if the flex head ratchet works with a Selle Italia Sprint.
Going to be trying a Wrights Swallow in the summer so I probably need it for that.

Almost all of my bikes have the Campy 2 bolt posts . I have one bike with a fluted Zeus seat post and they are nearly identical. I find that adjusting the seat angle is a bit time consuming but worth it to get the comfort. I did not have the Campagnolo wrench so I took a 10mm box end (12 point) wrench and bent it. It works well even with the UniCanitor saddles which have even less room than a Brooks Pro!

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another Campag replica which came on topline model Japanese cycles of the boom era is the YFC/Fujita Hupel Rider


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7748c471c1.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3b5394f573.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ab12148193.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...217095717e.jpg

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Nitto makes several two bolt posts. The lugged steel post is 1) beautiful and would look different but in place on a bery old bike, 2) is not heavy despite sounding it and 3) is a joy to work with and adjust and 4) has lots of setback. Drawbacks - expensive and probably not in 27.0. I have it on my Mooney where it is a keeper. Uses an Allen wrench so that is easy. 5 or 6mm; one you are going to have on hand anyway. Currently made and easy for any shop to get.

OK, but - not an especially strong post. Came on my Fuji Pro, 1976. Third race on the bike was Vermont's Smuggler's Notch. The descent has mist that fogged my glasses. I hit a frost heave at 50+ mph with just enough time to clamp my grip on the handlebars. Got kicked a couple of feet into the air by my seat. Bike stayed straight, I landed just fine, my very light wheels did fine, I rode on, finished the race and did well but my seat was now cocked back several degrees. Post visibly bent.

Good outcome. I won a Zeus seatpost! But it as 27.2 and my Fuji was a 26.8. Rode the State champs the next weekend on the untouched Hupel Rider. With that new tilt- painful! My mom got to watch me finish, ride straight for someones lawn, put on the brakes and simply fall over, still strapped in but off that seat! Exchanged the Zeus for a 26.8 (thank you Zeus!) and all was well; in fact a lot better, after that.

Access ease is sometimes a function of the saddle choice.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d0e087ac70.jpg

I've got a 3ttt in 27.0 with a different 2-bolt configuration if that would be of interest:
https://www.velobase.com/ViewCompone...7-93113E14CF76


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c868634ef2.jpg

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"frost heave" - a new-to-me term

is this when frost riving has cracked the pavement and created a bump?

thanks for the story ;)


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Yes. I don't know the exact mechanics of them but in snow and ice country, we all know them. That particular one was like a root under the pavement on a MUP only about 8" high. Sort of a guess. I didn't get a very long look and I wasn't stopping! Not sitting in 2nd place; leader up ahead out of sight and no one in sight behind.)

I'm not sure that a flex wrench is required, but it might be handy.
I've been using a 12 point combination wrench, and can't recall any large amount of effort or frustration.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f73f8913fb.jpg

Steve in Peoria

Applies to the ground in northern climates. When water is in the ground and a freeze occurs, the ground (dirt) will lift as the ice expands. Helps when seeding in the fall as the seeds will fall into and under the dirt when it thaws. Self planting.

You don't even need that long a wrench. Just grease the threads of both bolts and then use your fingers to turn the front bolt for tilt adjustment and the wrench on the rear bolt to secure the saddle in place.

How could I forget! My current project required a 26.8 seatpost last week and the box marked as such yielded one of these. A "Record Competizione", no less. The name alone should make me faster. :)

As currently on the stand. A very nice pillar indeed:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...92fc9a2966.jpg

It also depends on the saddle. If you're using a plastic base saddle, most of those have enough clearance to reach the bolts with a combo wrench from the side. But if you're using a leather saddle with deep skirts, like the Brooks Professional or Idéale 90 or 92, you can only really reach those bolts from behind the saddle, between the rails, which makes using a combo wrench tedious.