Question about Simplex seat posts
 

The bike that is on my repair stand at the moment has one of these seat posts and so it piqued my curiosity when I happened on this eBay ad.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-Simplex-Badg...item483aa2e867

I doubt that it will sell at that price, but is there really some especial value to these old Simplex seat posts? - Admittedly they are pretty cool seat posts and I suppose the NOS condition doesn’t hurt any, but $251 ?!?
- Weren’t they just the standard issue for early 70’s high-line Peugeots?

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...orums/post.jpg

watch where the winning bidder is from: my bet is Japan. These are very sought after by the Japanese collectors who insist on period-correct and perfect condition (PC/PC) and will pay top yen for it. Hard to find one that's not rusty.

The auction is a buy it now only. So that is the "value" perceived by the seller. He is not that far off. I have seen these seat posts go over $100. I was lucky to get mine for $70 with an Ideale saddle. I turned around and sold the saddle for $130! Kept the seat post... it is extremely well made, but heavy!

It's overpriced. Only reason it might have any value is because it's 26.6 - perfect fit for metric 531P frames, and even then, it isn't an aluminum version. For that matter, the aluminum versions are trash - rear flute sits right where it can be damaged by the seatlug slot, and the outer rail brackets crack quicker than you can blink.

-Kurt

There are at least 3 version of the classic Simplex seatpost.

1. As pictures above. It looks like a 2 piece post, lower mast with an aluminum cap that also contians the seat rail hradware
2. Similar to above but with steel seat rail hardware thats probably brazed to the mast
3. similar to 1&2 but with a size plate. I cant find a pic of one....

http://i.ebayimg.com/01/!BwVjdBg!2k~...eQrgQ~~_12.JPG

Don't forget the fluted aluminum version:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/peugeot_seatpost2.jpg

-Kurt

Thanks all, for the input. It's good to know that one of my keepers has a seat post that cost more than I've made on my last 12 flips ! ;)

...and to think I just gave one away to a guy restoring his father's PX10. If I wasn't such a soft touch, I could be rich!

SP
Bend, OR

I've only heard of one ham-fisted mechanic breaking the outer rail brackets.

The right rail never cracked, and it's still there. Only used one of the two replacement rails for now.

Mind you, there was the Philippe/ATAX stem with the void in it, and the front derailer that had cracked on the original owner...

-Kurt