Loose Quick Release Seatpost...Common Problem?
05-05-08 | 06:47 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: 2008 Raleigh Venture 3.0
Loose Quick Release Seatpost...Common Problem?
Hi All!
I have been riding my Raleigh Venture 3.0 for the past month and, just today, noticed that my seat tends to spin around a little bit when I spin around on my bike (for example, when I twist my body around a bit to look over my shoulder to check for traffic). When I got home, I found that I can fairly easily move and turn my seat. I also noticed that my seat makes a creaking noise--it seems as if this noise is independent of the seat post swivelling, but I am not sure.
I assume that the swivelling is an issue with the quick release seat post (which I hate and plan to replace when finances allow). In the meantime, I am wondering if this is a common problem--do quick release seat posts tend to get loose over time and allow the seat to turn around? Could this be a more major issue? Should I be concerned about the creaking sound--is it fairly normal for seats to make noise (the seat does have springs of its own, but I do not think these are what is making the noise)?
Any ideas/info is appreciated. Thanks!
I have been riding my Raleigh Venture 3.0 for the past month and, just today, noticed that my seat tends to spin around a little bit when I spin around on my bike (for example, when I twist my body around a bit to look over my shoulder to check for traffic). When I got home, I found that I can fairly easily move and turn my seat. I also noticed that my seat makes a creaking noise--it seems as if this noise is independent of the seat post swivelling, but I am not sure.
I assume that the swivelling is an issue with the quick release seat post (which I hate and plan to replace when finances allow). In the meantime, I am wondering if this is a common problem--do quick release seat posts tend to get loose over time and allow the seat to turn around? Could this be a more major issue? Should I be concerned about the creaking sound--is it fairly normal for seats to make noise (the seat does have springs of its own, but I do not think these are what is making the noise)?
Any ideas/info is appreciated. Thanks!
05-05-08 | 07:02 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa Canada
Bikes: kona dew hybrid, MEC shadowlands
A loose quick release should be easy to fix. The quick release has two parts to the locking mechanism: the lever and the bolt. With the lever in the loosened position, simply hand tighten the bolt (usually it's an allen bolt), enough so that when you tighten the lever, it should hold the seat securely. Hopefully this will do the trick.
05-05-08 | 07:13 PM
#3
Membership Not Required
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
A loose quick release should be easy to fix. The quick release has two parts to the locking mechanism: the lever and the bolt. With the lever in the loosened position, simply hand tighten the bolt (usually it's an allen bolt), enough so that when you tighten the lever, it should hold the seat securely. Hopefully this will do the trick.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
05-05-08 | 07:38 PM
#4
52-week commuter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 1
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Redline Conquest, Cannonday, Specialized, RANS
A seatpost bolt is eight bucks from Nashbar. If that's too rich, you could just use a bolt from the hardware store for under two bucks.
__________________
The United States of America is the only democratic nation in the world to deny citizens living in the nation's capital representation in the national legislature. District residents have no vote in either the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives. www.dcvote.org
The United States of America is the only democratic nation in the world to deny citizens living in the nation's capital representation in the national legislature. District residents have no vote in either the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives. www.dcvote.org
05-05-08 | 07:51 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: 2008 Raleigh Venture 3.0
Okay--as I was looking at the QR to try to tighten the bolt, I realized that it isn't really the QR causing the problem, it is the metal collar-type piece that is located at the top of the post just under the black rubber/plastic collar thingy in the below pictures. I turned this metal piece, which tightened pretty easily and find it much more difficult to twist the seat with the QR fully locked.
Can someone tell me what this piece is and whether it being loose is a major problem or, again, just a simple tightening issue? Thanks again!
Can someone tell me what this piece is and whether it being loose is a major problem or, again, just a simple tightening issue? Thanks again!
Last edited by kelz0429; 05-05-08 at 08:01 PM.
05-06-08 | 01:14 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Medford Oregon currently
Bikes: 1988 Fuji Cadenza
Looks to be something with the suspension post, er well obviously. If it seems to not stay tight maybe grab a rag and a pair of pliers to tighten it a bit more? If you do this though make sure not to over tighten it!
05-06-08 | 07:10 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: 2008 Raleigh Venture 3.0
If that piece does have something to do with the suspension (if it somehow controls the cushiness of it, I mean), wouldn't tightening it be a bad idea (given that I am very happy with the ride of the bike)?
I think I am going to have to take it into the shop b/c I honestly can't tell what is loose/spinning.
I think I am going to have to take it into the shop b/c I honestly can't tell what is loose/spinning.
05-06-08 | 08:27 AM
#8
genec
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
If that piece does have something to do with the suspension (if it somehow controls the cushiness of it, I mean), wouldn't tightening it be a bad idea (given that I am very happy with the ride of the bike)?
I think I am going to have to take it into the shop b/c I honestly can't tell what is loose/spinning.
I think I am going to have to take it into the shop b/c I honestly can't tell what is loose/spinning.
I had a similar suspension seat post and frankly found that it allowed the seat to rock back and forth... a feeling I did not like. So in the end, I went to a solid seat post like I had before. I just have to remember to lift off the seat when hitting bumps. No big deal. I thought the suspension seat post might be nice, but in the long run it was more hassle.
