Seized Seatpost

James2016

I have an old (bought in 1998) Raleigh Explorer Bike that I want to resurrect for winter cycling so I can keep my Road Bike for better conditions. Last year the seatpost on the explorer became seized and try as I might I can't remove it. Believe it is an aluminium seatpost and the frame is Reynolds steel. I have tried penetrating oil, banging, twisting, heating and cooling and the thing still won't budge. I addition there is a little bit of bubbling to the paint on the down tube. Can anyone advise of any ways to get the seatpost out or is it beyond economical repair and should I bite the bullet and dump the Bike.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

I had this happen to my Peugeot 531 frame in the mid 1990s. What worked for me was...

Turn bike upside down
Pour a can of coke into through the hole by the bottom bracket, into the seat tube
Leave bike for ~24 hours
Turn bike right way up
Sharp strike or two with hammer onto a piece of wood placed over saddle
Seat post goes further in, but is now free

The Rookie

Household ammonia cleaner dissolves aluminium oxide, it got my sons seatpost out.

James2016

Thanks for guidance so far, will give those a try

James2016

After a number of days soaking and spraying with different liquids (coke, kitchen cleaner, WD40) and lots of banging with a big mallet. Sprayed some window cleaner on it today, hit it with the mallet and the bloody thing started to move, another 15mins of banging and I finally got the post out, yippee, such a relief as it had been stuck for at least 18months. Can finally now start to recommision the bike as and when I have the funds. Once again thanks for the advice, it worked.

Bill Tweedsmuir

Hi, same problem but different materials. I have a carbon fibre post into a felt 75 frame which is stuck. Any thoughts on the best way to get it moving?