In a message dated 11/3/03 5:20:19 PM, joebz@optonline.net writes:
>On certain well brazed frames, no distortion of the seat tube results and
>an ordinary size post (27.2 mm for Reynolds 531 and 27.0 for Columbus SL)
>does not clamp well. For 531, you are then in pursuit of a 27.4 which, to
quote
>our British listees, is close to rocking horse manure.
>Having had a few sessions of sliding down seat post on the Dave Tesch I
>brought to Cirque, I resolved to solve the problem today. I eventually
>figured out the seat post ears were meeting solid.
>The trick to opening up the slot is to use TWO hacksaw blades in the hacksaw
>frame, side by side. Works like a charm. After opening up the slot between
>the ears, grease the slot to prevent rust.
>
Well, I've found that a Columbus SL seat tube is happiest with a 27.2 seat
post. Every SL seat tube I've ever used took a 27.2 post-the tube being .9/.6.
Reynolds 531 seat tubes tend to be slightly undersized-.55 wall or so- and
while some will take a 27.2 post they really want 27.4-not hard to find at all. In
fact, most Waterfords take 27.4 posts.
No mater how well I brazed the frame I always take a pass with a reamer-not
adjustable but either 27.2 or 27.4-before cutting the slot in the seat cluster.
I use a file as I find the hacksaw method clumsy. Just my 2 cnts.
Phil Brown
Working with wood, not metal, today in San Rafael, Calif.