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Pull or carry by the saddle
If the saddle is pulled up when retracted, for example when pushing the bike, air can get inside the cartridge - except on mechanically locked posts. If you then sit on the extended saddle, the post can sag a little - annoying. If you want to suspend your bike from the saddle or lift it up, you should always fully extend the post beforehand.
Tapping the saddle straight
After a fall, the saddle is sometimes askew. Bad enough for the seat post. However, you should never try to force the saddle back into the correct position. This can damage the inner workings of the telescopic seat post. To align the saddle, always loosen the bolt of the saddle clamp beforehand. Then tighten it again to the correct torque.
Clamp support - observe torque alarm
If the seat post clamp is tightened too tightly, the inner tube diameter may be minimally tapered. This can permanently impair the function of the telescopic seat post. Important: always pay attention to the torque specified on the seat clamp. For high-quality frames with low tolerances, low tightening torques of around 3 Nm are often sufficient. When mounting in carbon frames, carbon paste also reduces the clamping forces.
Nursing service
The telescopic seat post is fully exposed to the rear tyre. As with the fork and shock absorber, seals prevent dirt from penetrating inside. Nevertheless, the seat post should be maintained regularly. It is best to carefully remove mud and dirt from the seat post shaft after every ride. As with all other sensitive parts on the bike, a high-pressure cleaner should not be used for this. After cleaning, you can also apply a little Fork oil apply. Regular servicing with cleaning and lubrication of the inner workings will keep the prop running for a long time and is recommended once a year or after a long period of inactivity. You can usually do this yourself at home with little effort.
Bike storage
When fully extended, there is naturally the lowest pressure in the system. Nevertheless, it is advisable to store the seatpost in a minimally lowered position. If the bike is in a warm place or lying in the sun in a car, the oil in the hydraulic chamber cannot expand any further if the post is already fully extended. This can cause the pressure in the lockout chamber to rise dramatically, which can result in the remote lever being very difficult to press when you first press it.
Clamp in the assembly stand
It is okay to clamp your telescopic stabiliser to the standpipe in the mounting stand. However, the clamping jaws should be clean so as not to scratch the surface. If in doubt, place a clean cloth between them. In addition, you should only hang the kickstand in the assembly stand when it is extended, as otherwise - as when lifting on the saddle - the weight of the bike could cause air to enter the inside of the support.
Stefan Frey
Editor
