Campagnolo Seat post bolt

I've got a campagnolo seat post bolt, and I recently took it off my steel frame, but with a bit of difficulty.

The problem was, when loosening it (with an allen key), the other side of the bolt kept turning, so it didn't actually loosen (the whole bolt turned as one).

I'm tentative about putting this back on, because I don't think I'll be able to tighten it correctly, and may damage my frame in the process.

Is there a tool I should be using to grip/hold the other side of the bolt whilst loosening?

Also, I have no washer. I've seen images online with washers. Will this be a problem at all? Should I buy a new washer, and if so, does it matter what material or size it is?

Doesn't it have Allen key access from both sides? Both mine do.

On mine, one side of the seat post bolt has a bite area to grip onto the frame, the other has the washer.

Doesn't it have Allen key access from both sides? Both mine do.

On mine, one side of the seat post bolt has a bite area to grip onto the frame, the other has the washer.

Nope, mine has allen key access to one side, and the other side is just a hole with threads inside...

It does have the bite area to grip onto the frame, this is on the side with female threads. The side with male threads is the one which has allen key access (and no washer).

It might be best to just get a new binder bolt. Condor do campy ones for £8.

I was looking into that, but what's actually wrong with my one? They must've made it that way to work somehow... maybe with a special tool?

Anyway, happy to get a new one, but if anybody knows how this one is supposed to work, I'd like to know. It feels like solving a riddle at the moment.

Take a look at the seat lug and the female half of the bolt.

The hole in the seat lug where the bolt goes has a slot cut into it on one side. The female half of the bolt has a small bit of metal that engages the slot on the lug and stops it turning as you tighten up the other side.

That's how it's supposed to work. If your frame doesn't have the slot, and the female end doesn't have the bit of metal, then you need a new bolt with Allen key access on both halves.

Hope I've made it clear.

Take a look at the seat lug and the female half of the bolt.

The hole in the seat lug where the bolt goes has a slot cut into it on one side. The female half of the bolt has a small bit of metal that engages the slot on the lug and stops it turning as you tighten up the other side.

That's how it's supposed to work. If your frame doesn't have the slot, and the female end doesn't have the bit of metal, then you need a new bolt with Allen key access on both halves.

Hope I've made it clear.

The seat lug definitely has a hole, but the bolt does not. The campagnolo seat bolts just seem to be flush on both sides, one takes an allen key, the other doesn't.

Anybody else have a campagnolo branded seat bolt? Is this the case with yours as well? If so, do you use a special tool to extract the bolt?

I've an old binder bolt where the lug to engage with the frame lug was worn down. But this still had an Allen key head on both sides.

Could be that you've got a mismatched binder bolt? Does it have campy written on both sides?

Yep, it has PATENT CAMPAGNOLO (in caps) written (circularly) around both sides.

When I got the bike, it was very secure. held the seat post in place, despite me running over a few pot holes on my way home.

This was a week ago, and I've only just loosened the bolt now, but I have no idea how it was tightened in the first place... :S

Magic? Or just brute force?

maybe... i also struggled with the stem, I scratched up the handlebars something fierce getting them out (near the clamp area), but they looked perfect before I took them out.

That sort of stuff leads me to believe I'm doing something wrong... just like this seat post bolt. There must be a proper way to tighten it that I'm missing.

Update:

The below link is the exact same seat post bolt I have.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Campagnolo-Nuovo-Super-Record-Seat-Post-Binder-bolt-/261266070373?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3cd4abdb65

As you can see, it only has the hex key groove on one side.

Do any of you know how to tighten it?

The serrated edge should embed into the seat lug to prevent movement/spinning.

If that's not happening your hole is shagged or too large.

Purchase a bolt with hex on both ends or with a notch on one, if the lug is keyed.

[URL="http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=BZwwCs8KbL2XIM&tbnid=Vw_kdqROwS_XGM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rakuten.com%2Fprod%2Fritchey-wcs-one-bolt-road-bicycle-seatpost-mast-topper-30-25-x-70mm-x%2F240621746.html&ei=9eYTUozfO4rG0QW69IDYDw&bvm=bv.50952593,d.ZGU&psig=AFQjCNEkgDCfThgjelfK4je5dLTgXP34wg&ust=1377122332865245"][/URL]

I must say that the Campagnolo seat post bolt has to be one of the most over-priced components I've ever seen.

^you could be right, maybe an idea for a thread, over priced components

dmczone, you hit the nail on the head.

I went and asked a bike mechanic today, and he said it's for use on italian steel frames, as they have a taper in the seat lug. The bike I have is british made, so therefore has a notch.

The seat binder bolt (campagnolo) that I have, was never meant for my frame, unfortunately.

oh well, at least I know it's overpriced, so I can try to get some pretty pennies for it on ebay or here.

Thanks everybody for your help.

Speaking of overpriced components, http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mks-ca-njs-chain-tug/

I can't believe a chain tug could cost near 30 quid... It's a non-essential piece of equipment, and can be purchased without an NJS stamp for around 5 quid.

I've got Italian frames with notches, so I'm not sure that one method or another was country specific.

Surely you can just hold it in place with your thumb, until it is tight enough to "bite" and be held in place by tension?

Bumping this thread as I'm having trouble finding the right bolt to buy and although different to the issue above I hope you guys can help.

I tried a campag bolt but it didn't fit. There is no notch inside my frame and a lip a few mm in that runs the whole way around.
It look like maybe just a bolt that enters from one side, but then how is it held in place?
Has any one got a bike with this set up? If so what are you using?

2 Attachments

Looks like an Ellis Briggs I had: the other side should be threaded, but I assume you've checked that...

Yes it is, so the nut would then sit externally?

So it would just the case of finding the right length of these
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mobile/seat-bolt-traditional-nut-and-bolt-type-1-3-8-inch-prod12731/
Which are measured in old money..

No, if the lug is threaded then it doesn't need a nut. And, you need a bolt with an Allen head to fit the hole on the right side. Like SS, I had a frame (Mal Rees) with 'fastback' seat cluster and a threaded lug.

Ah great thanks!
So I should just be able to pop down to a DIY store and look for a bolt with a head that's the right depth.

In theory yes, but it may take some time to find the right combination of bolt length, size, thread pitch and head size that works. A decent ironmongers rather than your local Homebase.

Mine just took half a standard seatpost bolt, try that first.

Campagnolo have taken this part of there price list. Thankfully your frame just needs a standard bolt.