MapleDownUnder said:
This is crazy? I can't find anyone that makes or sells this seatpost?
After visiting almost a handfull of bike shops and looking on the internet the suggestions I've been given are:
- buy a bigger bike
- bore the seatpost and try to fit 26.6 or 26.8
- find a saddle with longer rails - gaining maybe an extra 2-3cm
Can anyone think of anything else?
It really would be beneficial if you were to clarify the components (seatpost & saddle) that are currently on your bike.
Regardless, I was also going to suggest that you:
- switch to 180mm cranks (really!), and subsequently,
- lower your saddle
The longer cranks (which you should be able to handle UNLESS you are 5'6" and riding on a bike that is too large for you) will have the same net effect as moving your saddle back a small bit ... of course, you have to lower your saddle, perhaps by slightly MORE than the difference between the 180mm cranks and your current cranks (what length are your current cranks?).
Campagnolo Record, Shimano Dura Ace + XTR & XT are available in 180mm cranks.
Campagnolo seatposts (see, this could be an unnecessary statement since I don't know what is currently on your bike) have almost as much set back as the current Easton seatposts whose set back would satisfy your presumed needs ...
I presume, but don't know since I don't have one, that the mid-80s to mid-90s version of Campagnolo's (generally) "aero" seatposts are similar to Shimano's (only ~1" set back) in that ALL were turned from the same basic billet ... so, if you were to get a 26.8 (or, even a 27.0 or 27.2), you could EASILY reduce the diameter to the necessary diameter and still have a seatpost diameter that falls within spec (heck, I wouldn't be surprised if an 80's vintage, Campagnolo aero wasn't made in the diameter you want ... but, it is just too rare to locate as a loose item in someone's inventory) -- maybe, not. So, try to find an aero Campagnolo seatpost (if only in a picture) and see if the set back is sufficient AND if you can determine if the various sizes were (like the older Nuovo Record seatposts) made from a universal casting.
An option which I do NOT advocate, but I know will result in a similar "fit" is to move your cleats (I'm presuming you're riding with cllipless pedals) back toward the arch -- there was actually a thread about ARCH CLEATS ... I understand the dynamics, but without going into boring detail of a thread I chose NOT to engage in, the particular Swedish rider who uses them should be riding a frame that is at least 5cm larger AND with longer cranks, etc. AND her use of "arch cleats" compensates for her riding a frame that is way too small, IMO.
