Seat Slippage Issues

[shasta]

Hi all,

I have a problem with my bike's seat slipping out of postion. It is one of those "quick adjust" ones. Is there a way of locking it down so it stays or a way of fixing it? I need it fairly high so when it "falls" to the kiddo position it is quite a problem.

[Offthegrid]

Hi! Welcome!

It sounds as if the quick release lever is not tight enough. To tighten it, open the lever and turn it (or the round knob on the opposite side) and then close. I once read that it should be tough enough to close to leave an impression on your hand, but not so tough that you'll never be able to open it again.

[Popoki_Nui]

I had the same problem on my Bianchi mtb.
There should be a compression slot in the top of the seat tube where you insert the seat post (this slot allows the seat binder bolt/qr lever to squeeze the seat tube on the seat post). The simple and easy fix is to take a narrow file (like a jeweller's flat file), and very slightly widen the slot, little by little, until the seat binder bolt/lever holds the seat post firmly. If the frame is steel, you will then need to apply some anti-rust treatment (primer/anti-rust compound) to the slot.

edit: make sure there isn't excessive grease on the seat post/in the seat tube opening. You can also wrap some medium sandpaper (100 grit) around the seat post and gently roughen it around its diameter (i.e. not lengthwise) where it fits into the seat tube. This will give it a little extra grip.

[DebW]

I had the same problem on my Bianchi mtb.
There should be a compression slot in the top of the seat tube where you insert the seat post (this slot allows the seat binder bolt/qr lever to squeeze the seat tube on the seat post). The simple and easy fix is to take a narrow file (like a jeweller's flat file), and very slightly widen the slot, little by little, until the seat binder bolt/lever holds the seat post firmly. If the frame is steel, you will then need to apply some anti-rust treatment (primer/anti-rust compound) to the slot.

edit: make sure there isn't excessive grease on the seat post/in the seat tube opening. You can also wrap some medium sandpaper (100 grit) around the seat post and gently roughen it around its diameter (i.e. not lengthwise) where it fits into the seat tube. This will give it a little extra grip.

Before you do that, make sure that you really have the right size seat post for the frame. They come in 26.8 mm and 27.0 mm and 27.2 mm. If the seatpost is too small and you tighten the binder all the way, you can crimp the frame. Don't ask me how I know this.

If you just don't like the QR seatpost bolt or it comes undone on you, you could replace it was a standard bolt.

[Kalidurga]

You can also wrap some medium sandpaper (100 grit) around the seat post and gently roughen it around its diameter (i.e. not lengthwise) where it fits into the seat tube. This will give it a little extra grip.

It's an obvious thing, but I'll say it anyway: Before you try this, make sure you don't have a carbon-fiber seatpost!

[Tuckervill]

I had the same problem on my Trek MTB. I'm heavy, so bumpy rides would make the seat slide down. However, if I tightened the nut enough to where it wouldn't slip at all, I couldn't close it without stepping on it. Then I couldn't open it by myself.

BUT, my qr has an Allen nut on the other side, so I just crank the quick release lever to hand tight, and then tighten the nut just enough with my multitool. It sucks having to use the allen wrench when I want to lower the seat to descend, but that's better than it slipping down slowly or suddenly during a ride!

I have to step on the quick releases on my wheels, too. My hands are just not that strong.

Karen