So I picked up this frame awhile back, the previous owner installed a 26.2 seatpost. But the binder ear looks pinched closed.
Thoughs? In the event it is the wrong size whats the best way of spacing it back out?

Any idea what kind of tubes? I think 26.2 sounds smallish like for cheap steel, don't even most HiTen and mangalloy bikes use a 26.8 or .6?

If was indeed the srong size I would just take a big screwdriver to it.

Well...it might be cheap steel, as I have no idea what kind of tubes. Its truly a mystery frame. Its a track frame
with unmarked zeus track ends. The bottom bracket is english threaded. The fork has a crown fork engravingn which in a previous thread was pointed out to be the signature of a italian frame builder, buts its pretty obvious HE didnt build this frame. The best we all agreed on was a handmade frame by an american. But why
cheap steel? If it was to save money wouldnt that have been countered by the cost of a custom frame? Possibly a lowcost trainer bike for the velodrome? Lol


At any rate, i have no idea and I think wrong size seatpost was used

I would remove the post and feel for surface irregularities, sometimes you can feel the trouble, closed ears and or distortion from brazing.
Then if no culprit is immediately found, spread the ears back into approximate alignment use a big big minus screwdriver or a ground drift that just fits the binder bolt hole.

Then I would locate a shop with a Park or similar seat post gauge and let the frame advise.

I have an American Classic post in 26.4 if you need one, I just need to double check the size.

While 26.2 is small, as I recall, Schwinn Columbus Tenax bikes had 26.6 seat posts, my chrome Katakura Silk has 26.4 (cromoly frame). I've had several high ten steel frame bikes with 1 inch (25.4mm) seat posts.

You have to measure the seat tube inside not at the neck, will be the only way to know what seatpost to get. I bet for 26.6 or 26.8

26.8 is not uncommon on English frames. 26.4 on French frames.

If it was mine, I believe I'd leave it. It looks a little pinched, but no cracks, eh?
Not a very big difference between 26.2 and 26.4 or .6, though I do understand the importance of properly sized seat posts. Those ears look a little close together, but not radically so, IMO.
Good point below: does the post slip at all?

i had an RB-1, miyata 610 and a stumpjumper come with too small seatposts with seatcluster binders pinched just as yours + needing too torque to much to keep the seatpost from slipping.

replacing with a slightly larger diameter seatpost size fixed the problem. i had to sand each of the three seatposts the very tiniest bit to get them to fit perfect. but now no more over clamping problems.

What IS your inquiry then?

I think a properly sized seatpost would not just fall into the tube when inserted. There should be very very slight tube contact all arund the post, but not enough to cause scratches or gouges as you insert it into the seat tube and seat cluster lug.. Similar goes for stems sit sizing, but the expanding quill wedge will usually let you get away with an extra mm of clearance.

Chombi

Not sure if you're joking or not, but you quoted two different members.

You are correct, rootbeer and rootboy.

I apologize for that. Thanks for advising.

Nope no slipping. My original concern was to merely to attempt to get a idea on how to find then right seatpost.

Spread it with a screwdriver untill the opening is equal from top to pottom and go from there:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...501?highlight=

This is how I try to fix a frame set cavity such as the seat post fit.

Thanks for all the help! I feel that the tools needed may be out of my league, so I'm going to ask some locals bike shops....will post back eventually if this gets fixed!