I’d like to fit a dropper post in my 2004 Marin Rocky Ridge which has a 27.0 seat tube.
I’ve got a 27.2 post (a KS Eten) but it doesn’t fit, so I need either to make the post smaller or tube bigger. I’m only 63kg so I’m guessing there’s scope to remove material from either.
Anyone have any thoughts on how I should do this please?
Years ago I had a Dawes (something-or-other ‘hardware’ maybe?) that had a 27.0 seat tube. We reamed it out to 27.2. It made the tube go all lumpy, either from bad reaming, or just a bad idea.
It’s only a 28.6mm external tube so not enough tomream really, as said above there’s a fair chance the tube will warp if you try and little margin for error.
Thanks for the info – that’s ruled out reaming the frame for me.
That’s probably true! I’ve had a look though and not seen anything suitable on pink bike, and can’t see where to start on ebay. And browsing 2nd hand bikes it’s easy to escalate from wanting a dropper to pondering spending £1500 on a complete new (to me) bike.
It’s only a 28.6mm external tube so not enough tomream really, as said above there’s a fair chance the tube will warp if you try and little margin for error.
Most steel seat tubes with a 27.2 ID are 28.6 OD it’s only 0.1 thinner wall (0.7 rather than 0.8). About as ideal for reaming as you’re likely to find.
Perhaps only ream to the depth required for seat post insertion?
I’d talk to a frame builder, they should have the tools and be able to advise with a bit more knowledge on the topic…
I’d disagree dovebiker, as long as the dropper can be disassembled, popping the lower in a 3 jaw chuck and taking that little material off would be a hell of a lot easier and a better chance of concentricity than a trying to align whacking great reamer mate.
Agree re warranty, and seatpost looks a bit shit too mind.
I’d ream it. It is an alloy frame according to bikepedia. So plenty meat on the seattube. Take it to a frame builder on machining shop. An adjustable reamer will scoosh it. I’d take the post too btw.
Thanks for all the extra replies. In case anyone’s interested the bike is indeed alloy so would be thick enough to ream. I’m not fussed about the dropper looking rubbish, or the warranty. I’m leaning towards doing the frame since it might be good to still be able to use the dropper in my other bike.
This turned out to be much easier than I feared. Measuring existing and dropper posts showed 26.9 mm vs 27.2 mm – so right on the stated sizes. The OD of the seat tube is 32.0 so plenty of thickness to lose 0.15mm.
A riding buddy recommend simply using emery paper on seat tube and post – and remarkably this worked. I lightly smoothed the post, then attacked the tube with 60 grit paper and WD40. I could see the metal coming off and it only took 15 mins to get the 27.2 post fitting perfectly. And I can still use the dropper on my other bike, so perfect result.
Gratuitous success photo:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/21B8iAf]IMG_20171118_115401837[/url] by sl2000, on Flickr