This is quite a clever idea (alas, my pump won't fit), but I was wondering what kind of useful things people have carried in their seat tube/post?

Thought of carrying spare spokes there once, but after investigating I discovered there was a hole between the BB shell and the seat tube and decided it might be a bad idea.

I'll have to check that out. As soon as I saw the pics I thought about a piece of PVC pipe with a cap on one end as a great spoke holder. There was another thread somewhere here where someone suggested keeping emergency contact info in the tube and labelling it on the outside of the seat tube as well. It is an interesting question on what can safely and usefully fit into a seat tube.

I used to have a pump that was an integrated seatpost. Overall I think it just ads more time to the process if one has to get into weird parts of the bike to access stuff. Also, for touring I get really sensitive about seat position, once I get it where I want it I don't want to move it, though thickness of clothing, even, can make moving it necesarry.

some touring bikes come with a downtube access plug a few inches above the Bottom Bracket(not a drain hole) to stuff more valuables in there......

I'd be storing all my illicits in the seattube, excellent idea....

some cyclists place info ownership cards, etc in the seat tubes, handlebars, etc. in case you need to identify your bike as yours in a dispute or trying to recover it from a pawn shop, used bike store or police auction. Not sure how much of this actually occurs, but it's a good concept in theory...

Great idea! I bet you could find a cork or a stopper to plug up the end of your regular seatpost, and store all kinds of things without them falling into the frame.

On tours, that's where I carry spokes. Wrapped in a plastic bag with a wad of rubber bands as a plug to keep it in place.

With two of us on tour, I want to carry 8-12 extra spokes, and that many just doesn't fit nicely anywhere else on the bike. Luckily, I've only had to take 'em out a few times.... Messing with the seat is a pain, but considering that fixing a broken spoke is at the bottom of my list of fun things to do, it's just noise.

-- Mark

On the illicits, yea it works pretty good, so I hear.

On ownership- Best way for that it to have your mechanic Etch your name on the inside of the bottom bracket before installing (or do yourself w/e)

I really like the spoke idea.

I stored some very nice large glossy photos I bought in Prague in my seat tube. One slid rite out-no problem back at home. I mangled another one a little bit trying to get it out.

Fed-ex next time perhaps...

I would not want to store my pump in such an inaccessible location. On some tours I have needed to "top up" the tire pressure every day or two or three. And on almost every multi-day tour I get a flat at some point.

What else would fit, besides spokes and illicit substances?

I have seen a 10-AA NiMH battery pack for a lighting system shoved in a seat post. More for commuting (where you can recharge daily) than touring, but cool nonetheless.

Only if your Peter Fonda in Easy Rider. (replacing the gas tank for the seat post)

I find this post really interesting, and have found myself racking my brain on what sort of junk you could store in the tube. Please people, I need more ideas!
:rolleyes:
Also, I have a strong urge to buy drugs, just to put them in fun places... on my bike

I carry traveler's checks in the handle bars, put them rolled in a plastic tube with a string glued to the tube and the bar end cap. If I need money, I pull of the bar end cap, take a check out of the tube and get cash for the day. Keep the receipt for the checks somewhere safe to replace them if something happens.

We didn't have the ATM network when I started doing this. Still comes in handy if no ATM, or the card doesn't work.

I really doubt this would be useful unless it is for your own use. I doubt anyone would know (other than you) that it was there. One idea was to store a message that said "My name is ----------, if you find this and I did not bring in this bike then it is stolen, call police".

Hmm-the seatpost may be a handy spot to carry some extra cash (Euros or Dollars in a baggie), particularly if touring "off the beaten track", where ATM's may be days/weeks away.

I'll have barend shifters, so the handle bar is less convenient than the seatpost.

Hmmm. The inner diameter of a seat tube is about the same diameter as an AA battery. Sounds like the seat tube would be a very handy place for storing extra batteries. I bet eight or ten could be stacked intside, even more if you shorten the seat post by sawing it real short! :eek:

When you need some fresh batteries, remove the seat, turn the bike upside down, and shake out a few AAs!! :rolleyes:

Sure, put it in the seat post and put a cork in to close it.

Business card down the tube for theft ID is all I do.

I have a mental image of batteries going bad, pouring acid down the post and into the innards of the frame.

If you're storing illicits, then you probably don't want to be storing your id as well ...

I don't know much about bicycle mechanics or chemistry, but I suspect that battery acid does an excellent job of dissolving grease. With this in mind, I have an idea on how to automate the normally arduous task of cleaning the bottom bracket:

Fill your seat tube with AA batteries. As you ride and the batteries leak, the acid runs into the bottom bracket. The grease dissolves, and voila! You are left with a squeaky-clean bottom bracket.

To regrease, simply remove the seatpost, turn the bicycle upside down, shake out the dead batteries, pour blobs of fresh grease down the seat tube, and rotate the cranks a few times in each direction to spread it around.

If you want, slide a bunch of fresh batteries into the seat tube before re-inserting the seat post. (To start the cleaning process at any time, hold an acetylene torch to the seat tube until the batteries explode and start to leak. Be careful not to heat the tube for too long in any one spot, or you will risk damaging paint and decals.)

The advantage of my proposed system is that you will never have to disassemble the bottom bracket again! WARNING: If you decide to try this untested method, it is not recommended that you store money, ID, a pump, or illicit substances in the seat tube!

;)

Well....how 'bout CO2 cartridges for the CO2 pump.

I immediatly thought of this also, but I don't think the self-supported touring crowd uses CO2 while touring. A good idea for my commute though!

inner tube in side dahon 33.9x600mm
 

Inner tube in side dahon 33.9x600mm

I am able to insert a 20x1.7 - 2.10 (smaller is easier ) inner tube in side my Dahon 33.9x600mm seat post.

I fold it in half, attach a velcro and loop at the air\stem. Roll the inner tube at the middle and secure with a Velcro strip. Using a long wooden stick (dowel 3/16 from homedepod ), I push it against the first strap up the tube. At the end I attach a string for pulling out. I have enough room to store a rubber cement tube, a short metal saw blade, and a few repair patches. I use a candle wax on the inner tube to make it slide up easier and I have to replace the plastic cap on the seat post.

A metal saw blade is a good use for scoring the inner tube instead of sand paper. Just break about 3 inches for this.

The inner tube rarely get used and need to be away from sunlight so this is a good place for this setup. I store the my hand pump and on the frame and levers under the seat.


Cheers

^^ Folders are cheating ;)

My Brompton's tool kit is housed inside the frame tube at the folding joint.. And I stuck a spare inner tube in the other side. (May also stick a headlight in there too.)

only think i'll be storing if ever i can afford it is the electric motor used by some guys in pro cycling.oh to get up that hill with a smile on my face.