Loose seatpost and other problems

Seatpost
I badly measured my seat tube, and got a size of 1" (25.4). Bought a seatpost, fitted it and found it difficult to get it tight enough.

After some checking and remeasurement, it appears my seat tube is oval by about 1mm, roughly 25.4 front to back and over 26mm side to side.

What should I do?
I've tried shimming the post out with a piece cut from and old paint tin, but it still slips.
I'm thinking to roughen it a bit but haven't tried that yet.

I don't want to splash out on another seatpost, any suggestions?

Headset
I'm also having real problems getting the lower headset race on my fork.
I've done this before on MTB regular/suspension forks without any problem, but trying this on a 60's Carlton fork is a nightmare. Are there different sizes of headset race for a 1" headset?

I've had it in a vice, tried hammering it on (with wooden block), even tried heating it to expand it big enough.
I think it's now lost its hardness because I heated it :(

Arrrgghh! Too frustrating!

one tip for installing a crown race is to use a threadless stem to knock it on (if you have one!)

trying sanding/filing the fork, usually an old frame like that will have lotsa paint and crap. if not sand or file it down. just get a 26.0 seat post.

I used to use a length of copper pipe as it's so soft it will always bend before damaging the race.
Just tap gently around the race until it's seated nicely. Can take a while but slow is the way to go.

Thanks for the help guys.

Object17 I used to use a length of copper pipe as it's so soft it will always bend before damaging the race.
Just tap gently around the race until it's seated nicely. Can take a while but slow is the way to go.

It's so stubborn I think copper would deform!

lightly file or sand ;)

I've had problems in the past fitting a race - from what i remember there are very small size differences in size - i solved the problem by buying another headset (1") and the race fitted fine....!?

yep, there definitely are size differences.

Try cleaning/filling around the bit the crown race mounts on. if no joy then take it to a bike shop to cut the fork crown to the right size - cavendish can do it

Yep if all else fails take it to a shop that has one of these.

how did your wheel go tommy?

Got home, took it a part, wobble wobble:)

New rim arrived yesterday. Try and build it up tonight.

On the road bike at the moment, which in this wind it is quite nice to have gears.

TheBrick(Tommy) Yep if all else fails take it to a shop that has one of these.

That's a neat tool.

dt yep, there definitely are size differences.

Try cleaning/filling around the bit the crown race mounts on. if no joy then take it to a bike shop to cut the fork crown to the right size - cavendish can do it

I did some light fettling, removed some excess braze and a little steel. I was trying to get enough of a chamfer on the fork to get it started but there seems to be too much difference. I tried an old heavy rusted headset I had, this slid on with the greatest of ease.

I think I'll have to try another headset.
Thanks.

ChrisNW Seatpost
I badly measured my seat tube, and got a size of 1" (25.4). Bought a seatpost, fitted it and found it difficult to get it tight enough.

After some checking and remeasurement, it appears my seat tube is oval by about 1mm, roughly 25.4 front to back and over 26mm side to side.

What should I do?
I've tried shimming the post out with a piece cut from and old paint tin, but it still slips.
I'm thinking to roughen it a bit but haven't tried that yet.

I don't want to splash out on another seatpost, any suggestions?

Might have the same issue, measured my seat tube last night and it's 26mm across and 26.2mm lengthwise (does that make sense?). Maybe it's just me being anal, a 26mm seatpost should do the trick?

Club hammer and a long swing

you been reading my "how to" posts??

kboy [quote]ChrisNW Seatpost
I badly measured my seat tube, and got a size of 1" (25.4). Bought a seatpost, fitted it and found it difficult to get it tight enough.

After some checking and remeasurement, it appears my seat tube is oval by about 1mm, roughly 25.4 front to back and over 26mm side to side.

What should I do?
I've tried shimming the post out with a piece cut from and old paint tin, but it still slips.
I'm thinking to roughen it a bit but haven't tried that yet.

I don't want to splash out on another seatpost, any suggestions?

Might have the same issue, measured my seat tube last night and it's 26mm across and 26.2mm lengthwise (does that make sense?). Maybe it's just me being anal, a 26mm seatpost should do the trick?[/quote]

I'm living with the shimmed seatpost. Roughened the shim on inside and it has been ok for a few months. Shim now starting to rust, but I guessed that would happen.

ChrisNW [quote]kboy [quote]ChrisNW Seatpost
I badly measured my seat tube, and got a size of 1" (25.4). Bought a seatpost, fitted it and found it difficult to get it tight enough.

After some checking and remeasurement, it appears my seat tube is oval by about 1mm, roughly 25.4 front to back and over 26mm side to side.

What should I do?
I've tried shimming the post out with a piece cut from and old paint tin, but it still slips.
I'm thinking to roughen it a bit but haven't tried that yet.

I don't want to splash out on another seatpost, any suggestions?

Might have the same issue, measured my seat tube last night and it's 26mm across and 26.2mm lengthwise (does that make sense?). Maybe it's just me being anal, a 26mm seatpost should do the trick?[/quote]

I'm living with the shimmed seatpost. Roughened the shim on inside and it has been ok for a few months. Shim now starting to rust, but I guessed that would happen.[/quote]

yeah will have to shim mine too. Got a 26mm the other day and it plonks right in, reckon it should be a bit of a struggle to fit it

ChrisNW Seatpost
I badly measured my seat tube, and got a size of 1" (25.4). Bought a seatpost, fitted it and found it difficult to get it tight enough.

After some checking and remeasurement, it appears my seat tube is oval by about 1mm, roughly 25.4 front to back and over 26mm side to side.

What should I do?
I've tried shimming the post out with a piece cut from and old paint tin, but it still slips.
I'm thinking to roughen it a bit but haven't tried that yet.

I don't want to splash out on another seatpost, any suggestions?

1. Coke can shim - but grease it up with some Copaslip or simlar to stop it seizing - this won't hold it, but it should keep it from wiggling too much and making the problem worse.

2. Jubilee Clip clamped tight around your seat post - no prizes for pretty but should work.