at the risk of looking like an idiot….

I've just got one of these seatposts in the post brand new – in its packaging it is compressed but I can't seem to get it to extend, its like its locked down.

I've tried the lever obviously and that has no effect, what am I missing?

Probably needs a bit of weight on it to engage the mechanism.

Prop it upright for a while or fit it to the bike. They don't work after they've been left horizontal. The oil needs to collect at the bottom.

Mine was a tad stiff from new

Give it a good push down when you have fitted it to the bike

It will Free up with use …..

Your bike will catch fire and you'll die.

"Your bike will catch fire and you'll die"

yeah I was afraid of that so I'll be wearing my fully flame & heatproof fire-fighting outfit when I get home & try fitting it after work…..