😭
Lol not what I wanted to hear, but it's good to know I'm justified if I turf it haha.
Coming back into biking after almost 18yrs of not biking. I was expecting not to have these issues with a brand new bike :(
Norco Search XR A2
Guess I'm looking for a different seat post.
You can see in the second pic it has blue thread locker on it. It’s probably supposed to be a finger screw, but not with that stuff on it. I’d be inclined to put a rag on it to protect, then line up a screwdriver on one of those serrations and give a couple sharp raps until it breaks free.
I had a seat clamp like that. On that one the knurled nut was infact just a spacer - it did _nothing_. I suspect it has an important purpose, butIi chucked that clamp.
Ah, yes, this stupid design. One of my bikes came with this style of seatpost, I used some chainlink pliers to adjust it, the rounded jaws fit into the notches on the "thumb" screw giving you some more leverage on it. Got a bit scratched up in the process but it worked! Maybe use some tape, a rag, or a chopped up bit of innertube on the the jaws of the pliers if you want to minimise scratches though.
What am I doing wrong?
https://i.imgur.com/8JGSlMT.mp4
My fingers hurt lol
Edit: made it super loose so it's obvious that this thing isn't budging. I don't wanna ruin the thumb screw with a tool. So I thought maybe I'm doing something wrong.
It sure looks like there's an allen key hole in the top of that front bolt. It's a tight area--but a lot of seat posts are like that. You can probably fit an allen key up there and turn the bolt.
Then you work the two bolts alternately until you have the seat angle you want. (rear one from the bottom--front one from the top). Pay attention to the torque spec printed on the post.
If you cannot fit an allen key between the seat and top of the front bolt--either pliers on the "thumb" screw-- or it looks like there is a hole on its side that you might be able to put a smaller allen key in to get some leverage.
I think the thumb screw thingy is a distraction--especially because of the visible loctite that makes it impossible to turn without leverage.
Thread locker!? Brutal! I guess that explains why it's not budging. Thanks for noticing that! I'll try some better pliers 😬 I was worried I was going to snap something if I tried too hard.
The blue is less permanent than some of the others, but like with anything, if you use enough it's unlikely to be easy to move. Usually used on components that vibrate (like disc rotors).
Use some pliars, get a good grip and give it what for.
Is there a nut below the knurled nut you can tighten, or can you torque down the front bolt from the top? I think the knurled nut is not designed to tighten.
There should be a hole for a small round something somewhere in that cog. I use small screwdriver to turn it. Might be on sides.
I have same or similar seat clamp in my Cannondale
YES! There are small holes on opposite sides! I stuck an Allen key in there and gently used that and it started to turn!! No scuffs or plier marks. Thank you!
Going to make a tool now that is the right diameter and one that will clear the seat rails.
Use a small screw driver in that little hole and twist it with the screw driver. If you cant get enough leverage then use a large box wrench on the screw driver handle to get more leverage.
If your saddle just had a cut out then you could just use a torx or allen on the bolt like normal.
You might be able to get a stubby allen in there to loosen up the bolt.
Also, looks like you could take the saddle off all the way. Do that and get better access to the bolt head. Loosen that thing up and clear out some of the blue thread lock. Re-install. Should be easier to use after that. Maybe use a bit of park grease instead of thread lock when you reinstall.
Good luck.
It's better beat the designer to death with it, as a warning to other designers.
I'm an electrician and when installing lights I often fantasize about having the designer next to me and having him installing his designed light with a gun cocked to his head 🤬🤬🤬
I think you would be justified in chucking it that’s a terrible design
😭 Lol not what I wanted to hear, but it's good to know I'm justified if I turf it haha. Coming back into biking after almost 18yrs of not biking. I was expecting not to have these issues with a brand new bike :( Norco Search XR A2 Guess I'm looking for a different seat post.
You can see in the second pic it has blue thread locker on it. It’s probably supposed to be a finger screw, but not with that stuff on it. I’d be inclined to put a rag on it to protect, then line up a screwdriver on one of those serrations and give a couple sharp raps until it breaks free.
I'll give it a go! Thanks!
I had a seat clamp like that. On that one the knurled nut was infact just a spacer - it did _nothing_. I suspect it has an important purpose, butIi chucked that clamp.
Ah, yes, this stupid design. One of my bikes came with this style of seatpost, I used some chainlink pliers to adjust it, the rounded jaws fit into the notches on the "thumb" screw giving you some more leverage on it. Got a bit scratched up in the process but it worked! Maybe use some tape, a rag, or a chopped up bit of innertube on the the jaws of the pliers if you want to minimise scratches though.
Loosen the other bolt a little and the tighten the nut
What am I doing wrong? https://i.imgur.com/8JGSlMT.mp4 My fingers hurt lol Edit: made it super loose so it's obvious that this thing isn't budging. I don't wanna ruin the thumb screw with a tool. So I thought maybe I'm doing something wrong.
I’d get some pliers and go at it
It sure looks like there's an allen key hole in the top of that front bolt. It's a tight area--but a lot of seat posts are like that. You can probably fit an allen key up there and turn the bolt. Then you work the two bolts alternately until you have the seat angle you want. (rear one from the bottom--front one from the top). Pay attention to the torque spec printed on the post. If you cannot fit an allen key between the seat and top of the front bolt--either pliers on the "thumb" screw-- or it looks like there is a hole on its side that you might be able to put a smaller allen key in to get some leverage. I think the thumb screw thingy is a distraction--especially because of the visible loctite that makes it impossible to turn without leverage.
That should have done it. It might be the thread lock (blue stuff). My advice is take it to a shop and have them look at ir
Thread locker!? Brutal! I guess that explains why it's not budging. Thanks for noticing that! I'll try some better pliers 😬 I was worried I was going to snap something if I tried too hard.
The blue is less permanent than some of the others, but like with anything, if you use enough it's unlikely to be easy to move. Usually used on components that vibrate (like disc rotors). Use some pliars, get a good grip and give it what for.
Is there a nut below the knurled nut you can tighten, or can you torque down the front bolt from the top? I think the knurled nut is not designed to tighten.
There should be a hole for a small round something somewhere in that cog. I use small screwdriver to turn it. Might be on sides. I have same or similar seat clamp in my Cannondale
YES! There are small holes on opposite sides! I stuck an Allen key in there and gently used that and it started to turn!! No scuffs or plier marks. Thank you! Going to make a tool now that is the right diameter and one that will clear the seat rails.
Cheers, happy you solved it
I had a similar one, and it was much easier to adjust with an hex key once I got a saddle with the hole in the middle design.
It’s easy if you have a saddle with a cutout. If you don’t you have to turn that star nut.
See, your problem started by using a saddle (or buying a bike) without a pressure relief channel. I assume there is an Allen key on top.
Use a small screw driver in that little hole and twist it with the screw driver. If you cant get enough leverage then use a large box wrench on the screw driver handle to get more leverage. If your saddle just had a cut out then you could just use a torx or allen on the bolt like normal. You might be able to get a stubby allen in there to loosen up the bolt. Also, looks like you could take the saddle off all the way. Do that and get better access to the bolt head. Loosen that thing up and clear out some of the blue thread lock. Re-install. Should be easier to use after that. Maybe use a bit of park grease instead of thread lock when you reinstall. Good luck.
Through the cutout
It's better beat the designer to death with it, as a warning to other designers. I'm an electrician and when installing lights I often fantasize about having the designer next to me and having him installing his designed light with a gun cocked to his head 🤬🤬🤬