Removing stuck or seized seatpost?

Yeah!! WOuld should write a screen play and sell the rights. I love a good story where it all works out in the end.

Great, now my story begins.

You know I'm going to the USA right?
And that I wanted to take my bike?
And that I have a bike box?

Well, I need to remove the seat post to get the bike into the bike box. And yup, you guessed it... it's seized up.

So much so that I've taken it to Cyclefit to have a look, and they've claimed to have used "every non-intrusive method" that they know of. And the damn thing isn't moving.

FUCK!

Now I have no bike to take to the USA as I'm not taking the Serotta.

Big question though... what's the best way to unseize a seat post? It's alright at the top, it's down the bottom it's stuck.

And to make things worse, it's 853 steel and a Thomson Elite post.

Bring round an east end thug.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tAGlUUAmjxk

David

i've got a hard case bike box that doesn't need you to take the seatpost out of you bike [you've got a scicon?]

more than welcome to borrow it

Well, I destroyed mine getting it out... And I guess that's not really an option? ave you tried the coke method?
Guess the bikeshop tried a vice etc, what about the broom through saddle rails approach? Other than that, not sure?

Bad luck! Just start with the soaking in penatrating oil and keep going through the list of things in this thread, or try http://www.witcombcycles.com/ speak to the man there he may beable to have ago. He will have more tools at his disposle.

So, we're finding carbon post + steel frame = oh crap?? Or is there more to it than that?

wayne_f14 David

i've got a hard case bike box that doesn't need you to take the seatpost out of you bike [you've got a scicon?]

more than welcome to borrow it

Shit... really?

And yeah I've got a Sci-con.

What does your box look like? And would I be able to get it tonight?

hippy So, we're finding carbon post + steel frame = oh crap?? Or is there more to it than that?

Alu + Steel + not enough grease (I strongly suspect) = natural welding.

velocity boy [quote]hippy So, we're finding carbon post + steel frame = oh crap?? Or is there more to it than that?

Alu + Steel + not enough grease (I strongly suspect) = natural welding.[/quote]

That's what I did. Funny thing is: Alu+Steel+5 years riding + 2 years not ridden and left out in the rain = seatpost fine. Alu+Steel+6 months left indoors not ridden = seatpost buggered. I think its the combination of damp and warmth which does it.

On my MTB I use PACE RC005 Carbon Composite Shield/Carbon Grease on the tube and post, meant to stop creaking etc?
Gonna use it on this build too as it is pretty decent stuff. Use it on all contact points where different metals contact.
Got it here. http://shop.18bikes.co.uk/

set the bike up perfectly, and weld every thign into place to prevent theft... you will be fine

it's the black one on with yellow strapping, weighs 7 kg and i've used it to OZ and Italy no probs - i'm around tonight after 9.30 and i'm based in Putney

If you want to borrow it just whisper me your details [and i'd buy a load of pipe lagging and some cable ties from wandsworth B&Q on your way over as I know they sell it there]

wayne

details and pic here

bike box

Solved... I've been lent a bike bag with tons of padding and it seems to fit the bike even with the saddle.

It's a 60cm frame wayne, so plus saddle I'm not even sure your box could've handled it. Thanks for the offer though, is appreciated.

Amusing factor: I've just cycled a mile through central London with an enormous Planet X bike bag on my back. I was the width of a car. Taxi drivers resolutely unimpressed.

Nice, they and other car/van drivers took a dislike to me riding around with a frame on my back!!!
Glad you're sorted, but it still needs to be un-seized surely?

where in the us are you going to?

Eventually it will need freeing, yes.

I'm off to Seattle, Redmond and Chicago.

Hmmm, can you say Microsoft?

Ah well, at least it's a cheap trip to the US for me.

i actuly cannot, or my i book will catch fire

Mine was freed!

Coca-cola did the trick. Cyclefit poured some in, turned the frame upside down and left it for a week.

Wonderful.

does the coka cola damage the alu???

The seat post? Yeah.

Had to get a new one of those.

Key thing though, it doesn't damage the frame.

31trum does the coka cola damage the alu???

I've got a sneaking suspicion that aluminum coke cans are lined with plastic, precisely to stop the contents corroding the can.

aha, makes sense,
cheers dave, i was asking because my f/in law has to save a alu stem from a steel frame.

Thought I'd revive this post and embarrass myself. A fair while back I greased a USE alien carbon post before I stuck it in my alu frame. Yes I am a fool. But up until now it's stopped people nicking my seating.
Trouble is I'm now thinking of powdercoating/ selling it, for which I imagine I'll need to unseize it. Any thoughts on how to deal with this? Someone told me if you try cutting and reaming carbon it makes a horrible toxic dust. Would try the above mentioned broom into saddle rails and twist approach, but I think the dainty alien clamp arrangement would give before the post.