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I just got Nashbar's Ascent Fluid trainer and put an old big-box store bike on it that nobody was using, so now I've got kind of a permanent trainer bike which is nice.

The problem: me and my partner are different heights/sizes, though close enough that all I really want to do is raise the seatpost when I ride, then adjust back down when I'm done.

Of course I need a new seatpost for this b/c it's too short to go any higher.

My question: is there a risk of damaging/wearing out the seatpost/tube quickly by adjusting it twice daily (once when I get on, then again when I get off)?

If so, what kind of lube (if that's suggested) should I use that won't have toxic/smelly fumes and be excessively messy/require wipedown every time I lower the seatpost?

I use park anti-sieze for my main ride, but that stuff is nasty/toxic so I don't leave any exposed (on the rare occasion I adjust height).

Should I just resign myself to eventually wearing out the seat tube and/or buying new cheapo seatposts once in a while?

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  • Just put some silicone spray on the seatpost.
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Nov 2, 2013 at 22:40
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    And you might want to get a quick-release style seatpost clamp.
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Nov 2, 2013 at 22:40
  • Yeah, it came with a QR clamp, or else it'd really be pain.
    – NOTjust -- user4304
    Feb 12, 2014 at 19:19
  • Its two years later - have you got an update on your seatpost wear?
    – Criggie ♦
    Oct 29, 2015 at 21:49
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    @Criggie Hi, yes. it works great. I got an “alloy” seat post with “steel head” according to the product page. While it is being gouged a little bit by the tube every time we move it, i think it should last another year at least. M-Wave is the manufacturer. It was under 10 bucks at the time from the evil jungle that I know is frowned upon by all serious cyclists. For most of the last 8 months we haven’t been using it since we moved, and unfortunately had to take it down due to major space loss. I’m hoping to get it set up again at our next place.
    – NOTjust -- user4304
    Nov 14, 2015 at 16:01

3 Answers 3

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If the bike is a cheap one, then a really cheap seatpost must exist for it. Cheap Seatposts are usually made of steel or mild steel, which should withstand the wear from repeatedly adjusting the seat height, so my advise here is, don't worry that much.

Some bikes use a type of seatpost that doesn't have an integrated seat clamp. If this is your case, it is likely that you can even fit a piece of common steel pipe to it, which will result really cheap if you obtain it from a scrapyard.

Another suggestion is, instead of using the quick release clamp, you may like to make a few side to side perforations in the seatpost and using a pin to keep it from going down. This may make a quicker adjustment every time, you'll save just a few seconds. This sugestion is particularly suited if you can use plain pipe for a seatpost.

Regarding lubricant: If it is really being changed/regulated daily, and the post slides really easily into the seat tube, there is no need for lubricant. If the seatpost slides easily, the friction is virtually non existent so there is no need to worry for it. Covering seatposts with grease is advised to prevent seizure of the post to the frame due to galvanic corrosion, but this only happens if the two pieces are left together long enough. So, again, if you are moving it daily and are concerned about fumes from the lube, you are probably fine without it.

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Just buy an inexpensive metal seat post, and if eventually it wears out it wears out. That seems to be your least expensive option. Especially if it's just a trainer bike.

Just lube it up with either a little bit of oil or odorless teflon grease.

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I'd consider finding two seats and posts, one each. Put a clamp or block around the pole so you cn simply drop it into the bike and it will be the right height for that rider. Still need to do up the QR to hold it though.

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  • There’s an interesting idea, albeit with greater expense.
    – NOTjust -- user4304
    Nov 14, 2015 at 16:03

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