Omega Titanium Frame

McBain_v1 · June 2007

Look, all I want to know is this:

1. I've been told that overtightening a seat collar can "ovalise" the frame and this will meant that the seat post will slip even further, because it will no longer be round and will not therefore generate as much grip;

2. Seat collar should be tightened to 10nM with a torque wrench ideally, as this is seldom achievable with a standard allen key. I can give an allen key a pretty mean turn (17.5" arms from weight lifting), when you start to hear creaks is this too tight;

3. If I want to put a shim in the tube - how the hell do you decide what shim you need? I am really confused on this last item. Do you need to know the internal diameter of the seat tube on the frame, and the external diameter of the seat post that you hope to put in the shim? Some help on this one people please.

I haven't got around to trying out my TACX Assembly Compound because I have been away in the Lake District for a few days so I cannot advise whether this has cured the problem or not, but I am going to give it a lash tonight.

What do I ride? Now that's an Enigma

craigenty · June 2007

McBain,

You usually know when the collar is too tight as you have just stripped the thread! (Done it once [:(])

If you need to put a shim in there, there is something seriously wrong!! IMHO !

Craig

www.montventouxwebcam.com
www.veloventoux.com

pieinthesky · June 2007

I would like to make two comments

Firstly, the chap who measures you up and determines your frame dimensions is not designing your frame, he is fitting your frame. Correct fitting is surely a skill in itself but the design of the frame is a much more complex and involved process and includes: selecting tube diameters, lengths, thickness, butting, clearances, manufacturing processes, welding sequences, jigging and much more.

Secondly regarding the slipping seatpost debate, I have a very lightweight Easton alloy post which deforms when the seatpost clamp is tightened, it therefore has to be tightened further to stop it slipping. This does not occur with a more solid post. Could deformation of the seatpost be contributing to slippage problems? Just a suggestion.

Sorry I meant 3 comments

Give Enigma a break.

giant_man · June 2007

Don't be silly pieinthesky, this thread was started for a reason

SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.

McBain_v1 · June 2007

Hey Pie, I think it would take some pretty major pressure to deform a Thompson Elite seat post - having slid it out of the frame and given it a good eyeballing, it looks quite sturdy. This weekend sees the "tighten & grippy grease up" fix being tried... what with mini-McBain wanting to stay up until gone 8.00 most nights I just can't seem to get any decent time in the shed to tackle this issue [:(]

What do I ride? Now that's an Enigma

McBain_v1 · June 2007

Sorry to bounce this thread open again, but I thought that I'd try and report on how I got on...

Okay, on Sunday I managed to escape to the shed and resolved to sort this out. I took the seat post out and degreased it (using that lovely citrus based degreaser that leaves everything smelling like a really nice fruity smoothie). I replaced the bling titanium locking collar with a more mundane but altogether beefier looking Campag one sent to me by Jim at Enigma, I applied a good sized dollop of TACX to the top of the seat tube and to the seat post, slid the post home and then tightened the locking collar up good style with some a nice big allen key.

Went for a 15mile test ride, got home to find...

... the seat post had not moved by so much as a millimetre [:D]

Thanks to everyone who posted with helpful suggestions. Just goes to show that sometimes there is a simple fix waiting to happen. Now that confidence in the set up has been restored I'm going to fit my Cateye Strada computer and get some serious miles done.

[8)]

What do I ride? Now that's an Enigma

Fresh Air Rider · June 2007

Hi McBain

Well done for finally resolving what must have been a very annoying problem indeed with your Enigma bike.

Please let us know how you get on with your Enigma as I'm currently deliberating between Enigma and Van Nicholas at the moment.

I suppose I shouldn't really be dissuaded from Enigma by all of the negative publicity that Enigma seems to attract.

David

McBain_v1 · June 2007

Being honest, I found that Jim and Mark were very supportive throughout this. Turns out for me there was a very simple fix. I really like my frame, love the 'old school' influences on its geometry - it's the bike I've always wanted [:D]

What do I ride? Now that's an Enigma

greg roche · June 2007

Hi,

I don't want to get involved in the 'history' thing, and of course there might be a problem with engineering tolerances, but just to offer a possible defence of a rival brand, on Friday we were putting together a Silk Road with a reynolds finishing kit - it had an ouzo pro seatpost specced. We put the pin in and it wasn't just loose - it was positively rattling round inside the seat tube. We had that uncomfortable 'blimey, this could be a problem' moment while we fetched a couple of other 27.2mm pins that we had kicking about - they all (we tried 3) fitted nice and snug. We measured the offending pin and it was about 27.05mm. So, there are some wide tolerances out there. I guess the thing to do as a company is learn from issues like this and suggest alternatives.

There are always going to be problems. We've not had anyone snap a frame or whatever yet, but i guess that, at some point, it'll happen. I think brands get judged on how they respond to such issues as much as the issue itself. And thats what you sign up for when you set up in business.

Greg

www.sundaybicycles.co.uk

Omega Titanium Frame

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