[CR]RE:Legnano Seatpost

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

Date: Tue, 05 Apr 2005 20:33:48 -0400
From: "HM & SS Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
To: jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net, anthrologic@gmail.com, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]RE:Legnano Seatpost


Jerry Moos doesn't like using a 26.8 where a 27.0 is called for. I have an invisible adapter that works well: plastic sheet stock that used to b e used for "viewgraphs" or "overhead transparencies." Cut a shim to match need, roll it up, and slide it in. If it goes all the way around, it al so serves as a dielectric, preventing corrosion between post and tube -- I think.

I'm actually of the Olde Schule, and used to use beer-can shims. Yeah, st eel, I'm that old. Then aluminimum. But the plastic works better, what sticks out is easily trimmed off, and never has sliced my fingers yet. O n my commuter, the 25.4 handlebar is happily married up with a 26.0 stem by using one of these plastic shims. No more tendency to slip than any o f the "correct" bikes I ride.

Of course, your mileage may vary. harvey sachs mcLean va +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If it needs a 27.0, a 26.8 may not work too well. My experience was with buying a new Zeus 2000 post for a bike that needed 27.2. The Zeus box w as marked 27.2, but the post kept slipping. Closer inspection showed the post itself was marked just 27, so the box was mismarked. Even though o nly 0.2 mm too small, I could not (or dared not) tighten the binder enoug h to stop the post slipping, so I bought another post, eventually finding a use for the Zeus on another frame. There are definely quality 27.0 po sts still available, including American Classic, but most are too modern- looking for a 60's Legnano. A more correct-looking solution might be a s traight post, as these can stiil be found in a variety of sizes, and a ch romed steel seat clamp, which I'd think some here would have. If you mus t have Campy, 27.0 do exist. Maybe someone on the list has one for sale or trade, at least it doesn't hurt to ask. There is definitely enough ma terial on a Campy post to turn it down 0.2! or more. Exxon Graftek and some other frames with odd tube sizes used turn ed down Campy posts. But these were done on a lathe. I don't know how c osmetically acceptable the results from cruder methods like sandpaper mig ht be.

Regards,

Jerry Moos
Houston, TX