Update on the seat tube - it's fixed! I now have a proper 29.8 mm seat post in there, a Kalloy Uno with a fancy "Advanced Project" graphic, whatever that means. It's a nice post, with a tich more setback that the one I got from Rivendell and a little easier adjustment. It's a tight fit, it goes in and out smoothly, but maybe a little more work is in order.
The shop didn't have a reamer that was big enough and the mechanic told me when I picked it up that had I answered my phone earlier in the day he was going to ask my permission to go at it with a file. I took that inspiration and stopped by Harbor Freight on the way home and picked up an appropriate looking file set. They worked somewhat but the the real star of the show was a cylindrical grinding tool on a cordless dremel. That and (thanks Laing!) a brake cylinder hone. The constriction was pretty much in the lug area at the top and vigorous work with the grinder eventually got the seat post to pop through, yielding a satisfying feeling of accomplishment. After that the hone was employed to smooth everything out and maybe enlarge the hole a wee bit more. I completely wore out the shoes that the hone came with so after those get replaced I may spend some more time with it to see if I can loosen up the fit just a smidge. The hone doesn't remove much steel (it does some) but as Laing mentioned it is great for smoothing out nasty burs and irregularities that scratch up the post. Plus its fun to use, and relatively cheap at $20. All you need is a drill to attach it to. Go getcha one! On Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 1:03:23 PM UTC-6 Gordon Stam wrote: > Called Rivendell this morning and the word was that they see this > situation on rare occasions. Usually the problem with the bigger Clems is > seatposts that are too loose. But the word would be passed on to Grant. > > As far as the 29.6 seatpost goes I had never thought of that but > interestingly enough the seatpost I sanded down ended up measuring about > 29.6. But I agree with Garth above that if the bike is specified to have a > 29.8 seat tube, that's what it should be. It saves time and energy down the > line. For example, when I first got the frame I ordered an adapter sleeve > that allowed for the use of a 27.2 seatpost, of which I have a few. In fact > my first ride was with an American Classic 27.2 seatpost. However a > Truvativ 27.2 seatpost (with a double bolt adjustment - like I like) won't > work. Too small, likely due to the constricted seat tube. So reaming out > the seat tube to it's proper dimensions ought to allow for that Truvativ > seatpost to work, if I wanted. > > At any rate the situation will be resolved soon and Rivendell is aware > that one more Clem got out there with a constricted seat tube. > > On Friday, March 14, 2025 at 10:44:00 AM UTC-6 iamkeith wrote: > >> Curious what Rivendell has told you, but I'm also wondering why you would >> go straight from 29.8 to 29.4, and not try 29.6. That would seem most >> straight forward and least likely to damage anything. They exist and, even >> if only in one-bolt designs, that's a small one-time, set-it-and-forget-it >> hassle compared to reaming a seat tube. Here's one. >> >> >> https://www.thebikesmiths.com/products/kalloy-sp-359-7084?variant=41522031067296 >> >> On Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 11:19:11 AM UTC-6 lconley wrote: >> >>> Use an automotive brake cylinder hone to slightly enlarge the seat >>> tube. I always hone the seat tubes to remove brazing residue anyway. >>> Brazing residue is what scratches up your seat post. >>> Make sure that it is not just a crimped seat tube lug first. >>> >>> Laing >>> Delray Beach FL >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM Gordon Stam <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Hey Gang. I have a 59cm Clem which takes a 29.8 seatpost. I got the >>>> tandem seat post from Rivendell in the proper size and it would not fit - >>>> too big around. Apparently my seat tube is a wee bit smaller than 29.8. I >>>> sanded down the Riv seatpost and made it fit but I would like to swap it >>>> out for something other than a single bolt design, which I finding is >>>> finicky with the seat tilt adjustment*. The only option I'm seeing is a >>>> Thompson Elite seatpost. Either that or use an adapter to fit a 27.2 >>>> seatpost, which I have and would prefer to avoid. BUT...if I get a >>>> Thompson >>>> in 29.8 I'm likely going to have to sand *it* down and since they only >>>> come in black that would look funky. Plus it's $100+. >>>> >>>> Alternately Thompson makes a 29.4 seatpost and I wonder if that would >>>> fit okay. If I order one and find it doesn't work I might have a hard time >>>> returning it because of the inevitable(?) scratches it will incur in the >>>> process. >>>> >>>> I've measured the seat tube ID at the clamp and get anywhere from 29.5 >>>> to 29.8. The 29.8 measurement is only along the front to back axis. >>>> Nowhere >>>> else do I get 29.8. >>>> >>>> So, Thompson and sand it down, 27.2 adapter, or live with the current >>>> post and deal with the adjustment? >>>> >>>> Any other ideas? >>>> >>>> *Trying to adjust the tilt yesterday the clamp seems to have sort of >>>> taken a "set". If I'm even close to where it has been it goes back to that >>>> position. Micro adjustment is just not happening. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>> To view this discussion visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/fc4166d9-a491-4d6b-a001-b055f01831b5n%40googlegroups.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/fc4166d9-a491-4d6b-a001-b055f01831b5n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/edc22f69-ed06-40bb-b5fb-3b0570346975n%40googlegroups.com.
