Bontrager SEATPOST User manual

© Copyright Trek Bicycle Corporation 2004
All rights reserved
BONTRAGER SEATPOST OWNER'S MANUAL
Part Number ?
Figure 1- Bontrager seatpost
Table of contents
Read this manual before you ride
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1
Inspect your seatpost regularly
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2
Installation instructions
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3-4
Bontrager warranty
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4
Please read this instruction manual thoroughly before using your new
seatpost; it contains important safety and maintenance information.
If you do not understand the information in this manual, or you have a
question about your seatpost that this manual does not cover, consult your
Bontrager dealer. If you have a question or problem that your Bontrager dealer
can’t handle, contact us at:
Bontrager Components
920.478.4678
Attn: Customer Service
http://www.bontrager.com
801 W. Madison Street
Waterloo, Wisconsin 53594
Waterloo, Wisconsin 53594
READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE YOU RIDE

2
The seat, the part you sit on when riding a bike, is held in place by the
seatpost (Figure 2). The seatpost binder secures the seatpost in the frame.
Proper adjustment of each component is important for your comfort and
pedaling efficiency. This section explains how to inspect, adjust, and lubricate your
seatpost.
Inspect your seatpost regularly
Every month
inspect the seatpost quick-release lever, or
seat post binder bolt, and seat fixing bolt (Figure 2) for proper
tightness. Make sure the seat is secure by attempting to turn the
seat and seatpost in the frame, and attempt to move the front of
the seat up and down. If the seat rotates, is loose, or moves up
and down, tighten the binder bolt or quick-release, or seat fixing
bolt, and repeat the test. Never engage the seatpost binder with
the seatpost out of the frame.
Tighten the following bolts:
• Seat post binder (Figure 2): 85-125 lb•in (9.6-14.1 Nm),
or 65-80 lb•in (7.3-9 Nm) for a carbon fiber seatpost.
• Seat fixing bolt: 100-150 lb•in (11.3-17.0 Nm).
For a seatpost binder using a quick-release lever, the mechanism
works the same as a wheel quick-release. Adjust the lever tension,
and make sure it is in the
CLOSED
position.
Inspecting a carbon fiber seatpost
Unlike metal parts, carbon composite parts that have been damaged may not
bend, bulge or deform; a damaged part may appear to be normal to a cursory
glance. After any high force load, like a crash, or other impact to your bicycle,
thoroughly inspect your carbon composite seatpost:
• Check for scratches, gouges, or other surface problems.
• Check the part for loss of rigidity.
• Check the part for delamination.
If the part has any problems, do not ride the bike. Take the bike to your dealer
for replacement or further inspection.
Figure 2- Seatpost parts
Figure 2- Seatpost parts
Seat
fixing
bolt
Seatpost
Seatpost
binder bolt
WARNING
A damaged carbon fiber part can fail suddenly, causing
A damaged carbon fiber part can fail suddenly, causing
serious injury or death. Inspect a carbon fiber part for
serious injury or death. Inspect a carbon fiber part for
damage frequently. If you suspect a carbon fiber part is
damage frequently. If you suspect a carbon fiber part is
damaged, replace the part before riding, or take the bike to
damaged, replace the part before riding, or take the bike to
your dealer for service.
your dealer for service.

Installation instructions
Bontrager Race, Race Lite, Race X Lite, and Race XXX Lite seatposts are only
compatible with saddles having mounting rails of 7mm diameter. If you are
not sure of the diameter of our saddle rails, consult your dealer.
Generally, it is easier to remove the saddle with the seatpost held firmly in
the bike frame. However, the old seatpost may be corroded slightly, making
removal or the seatpost difficult without the seat attached for leverage
and grip. These instructions explain how to remove a seatpost that may be
slightly corroded.
To remove an old seatpost
1. Loosen the seatpost binder bolt.
2. Twist the saddle to loosen and partially remove the seatpost from the frame.
3. Re-tighten the seatpost binder bolt.
4. Loosen the saddle clamp bolts enough to remove the saddle from the saddle
clamp.
5. Remove the seatpost.
To install the seatpost
1. Visually inspect the top edge and interior surface of the seat tube for burrs or
deformation that might mar the seatpost.
2. With your finger, again check the seat tube.
If there are any rough spots or burrs, remove them before going to the next step.
3. Grease the seatpost, except for models with a carbon fiber
seatpost tube.
Apply a light bearing grease to the seatpost where it inserts into the
seat tube. This helps prevent galvanic corrosion where the aluminum
seatpost can chemically bond to the steel, aluminum, carbon, or
titanium seat tube.
Some manufacturers tell you not to grease the seatpost with some
frames. As an example, Trek says that a special insert inside the
seat tube of OCLV carbon frames means you should NOT grease a
seatpost inserted into an OCLV frame. If you are unsure, check with
the manufacturer.
5. Insert the seatpost into the frame to its minimum insertion
mark.
6. Tighten the seat clamp bolt.
To install the saddle
1. Loosen the saddle clamp bolt (Figure 4).
2. Slide the saddle rails into the rail grooves of the compres-
sion wedges.
3. Adjust the tilt and
setback of the saddle
to your preference.
4. Follow the
Inspection
procedures to
tighten the saddle
clamp.
Figure 4- Exploded view of saddle clamp
Seat rail
clamp
Seat rail
clamp
Compression
wedge
wedge
Compression
wedge
Saddle clamp bolt
Figure 3- Bontrager saddle rails
Figure 3- Bontrager saddle rails
clamping mechanism
clamping mechanism
Saddle rail
locations
3

4
Bontrager Warranty
Trek Bicycle Corporation warrants each new Bontrager component against
defects in workmanship and materials for the a period of one year from the date
of sale.
This warranty does not cover-
• Normal wear and tear
• Improper assembly
• Improper follow-up maintenance
• Installation of parts or accessories not originally intended for, or compatible
with, the wheels as sold
• Damage or failure due to accident, misuse, abuse, or neglect
• Labor charges for part replacement or changeover
This warranty is void in its entirety by any modification of the component or
its parts.
This warranty is expressly limited to the repair or replacement of a defective
item and is the sole remedy of the warranty. This warranty extends from the
date of purchase, applies only to the original owner, and is not transferable.
Trek is not responsible for incidental or consequential damages. Some states
do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
exclusion may not apply to you.
Claims under this warranty must be made through an authorized dealer. Proof
of purchase is required.
This warranty gives the consumer specific legal rights, and those rights may
vary from place to place. This warranty does not affect the statutory rights of
the consumer.
To adjust the saddle tilt
1. Loosen the saddle clamp bolt several turns.
2. While tilting the saddle, apply pressure to the top of the
saddle directly above the saddle clamp.
Pressure on the saddle helps release the compression wedges.
3. Tilt the saddle to the desired angle.
4. Follow the
Inspection
procedures to re-tighten the saddle
clamp bolt.
To adjust the saddle height
1. Loosen the seatpost binder bolt, or quick-release.
2. Slide the seatpost up or down to your preferred saddle
position.
3. Make sure the minimum insertion mark (Figure 5) on the
seatpost is not visible above the bike frame. A minimum of 2
1/2 inches (64 mm) of seatpost must remain in the frame.
4. Re-tighten the seatpost quick-release, or bolt, as described in
Inspection
.
Figure 5- Minimum insertion
Figure 5- Minimum insertion
mark on seatpost
mark on seatpost
This line
This line
must be
must be
hidden
hidden
inside the
inside the
bike frame
bike frame
WARNING
A seatpost that is positioned too high can damage the bike
A seatpost that is positioned too high can damage the bike
and can cause you to lose control and fall. Make sure the
and can cause you to lose control and fall. Make sure the
minimum insertion mark (Figure 5) is inside the frame.
minimum insertion mark (Figure 5) is inside the frame.