Lowering a seat

My wife's favorite bike, her Cannondale touring bike, is becoming
unusable for her. Due to stiffness in her hips, she's becoming unable
to swing her leg over the saddle in its normal position. The frame is
not a step-through design like a mixte or "girl's bike," although the
top tube is much lower than typical.

I thought I might solve the problem with an ancient Hite Rite spring and
quick release unit
https://i0.wp.com/oi50.tinypic.com/124zyhi.jpg
so she could come to a stop, then lower the saddle before swinging her
leg over. But the seatpost motion is far too stiff. Despite several
hours of effort to be sure there are no burrs, despite trying different
lubricants, etc., the seatpost doesn't easily drop under her weight.

I can try to locate a much softer spring, I suppose. But I wonder if
anyone has come up with another solution, other than a
multi-hundred-dollar dropper seatpost, or a new bike. Ideas, anyone?

--
- Frank Krygowski

"Frank Krygowski" wrote in message
...
My wife's favorite bike, her Cannondale touring bike, is becoming unusable
for her. Due to stiffness in her hips, she's becoming unable to swing her
leg over the saddle in its normal position. The frame is not a
step-through design like a mixte or "girl's bike," although the top tube
is much lower than typical.

Old age is catching up with me too - I just lean the bike over further so
its not so high to swing my leg over the saddle.

Agree with Ian Field's post. Have her stop, lay the bike on the ground flat between her legs. Unclip her shoes somewhere in there. Lay the bike flat on the ground between her legs. Slide her feet to the side to allow that.. Then bend her back and pick up the bike. Not graceful, no. But effective. No swinging of the legs needed. Just stop, unclip one foot. And let the saddle slide down the leg while she moves the foot to the side until the bike is laying on the ground between her legs. Not graceful but it works..

wrote in message
...
Agree with Ian Field's post. Have her stop, lay the bike on the ground
flat between her legs. Unclip her shoes somewhere in there. Lay the bike
flat on the ground between her legs. Slide her feet to the side to allow
that. Then bend her back and pick up the bike. Not graceful, no. But
effective. No swinging of the legs needed. Just stop, unclip one foot.
And let the saddle slide down the leg while she moves the foot to the side
until the bike is laying on the ground between her legs. Not graceful but
it works.

Most people give up cycling long before they get *THAT*
incapable............................

On 7/19/2016 12:36 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
My wife's favorite bike, her Cannondale touring bike, is
becoming unusable for her. Due to stiffness in her hips,
she's becoming unable to swing her leg over the saddle in
its normal position. The frame is not a step-through design
like a mixte or "girl's bike," although the top tube is much
lower than typical.

I thought I might solve the problem with an ancient Hite
Rite spring and quick release unit
https://i0.wp.com/oi50.tinypic.com/124zyhi.jpg
so she could come to a stop, then lower the saddle before
swinging her leg over. But the seatpost motion is far too
stiff. Despite several hours of effort to be sure there are
no burrs, despite trying different lubricants, etc., the
seatpost doesn't easily drop under her weight.

I can try to locate a much softer spring, I suppose. But I
wonder if anyone has come up with another solution, other
than a multi-hundred-dollar dropper seatpost, or a new
bike. Ideas, anyone?


The tool you want ( after removing grease, oil, crud etc) is
a tube polisher, about $25 with shaft

http://8016235491c6828f9cae-6b0d8741...27722568_1.jpg

A better answer (if you don't believe me, ask her) $299:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/rd16a.jpg
http://www.yellowjersey.org/rd16e.jpg

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On 2016-07-19 10:36, Frank Krygowski wrote:
My wife's favorite bike, her Cannondale touring bike, is becoming
unusable for her. Due to stiffness in her hips, she's becoming unable
to swing her leg over the saddle in its normal position. The frame is
not a step-through design like a mixte or "girl's bike," although the
top tube is much lower than typical.

I thought I might solve the problem with an ancient Hite Rite spring and
quick release unit
https://i0.wp.com/oi50.tinypic.com/124zyhi.jpg
so she could come to a stop, then lower the saddle before swinging her
leg over. But the seatpost motion is far too stiff. Despite several
hours of effort to be sure there are no burrs, despite trying different
lubricants, etc., the seatpost doesn't easily drop under her weight.

I can try to locate a much softer spring, I suppose. But I wonder if
anyone has come up with another solution, other than a
multi-hundred-dollar dropper seatpost, or a new bike. Ideas, anyone?


If money isn't too tight consider a "seat dropper". Hardcore downhillers
use those to drop the seat by several inches right before barreling down
a hill, for a lower center of gravity which reduces the chances of an
endo, then back up at the bottom of the hill. Very fast action. But they
cost well north of $100. Some can be activated from a remote switch on
the handlebar. The work similar to an office chair gas spring.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

On 7/19/2016 1:40 PM, Joerg wrote:
On 2016-07-19 10:36, Frank Krygowski wrote:
My wife's favorite bike, her Cannondale touring bike, is becoming
unusable for her. Due to stiffness in her hips, she's becoming unable
to swing her leg over the saddle in its normal position. The frame is
not a step-through design like a mixte or "girl's bike," although the
top tube is much lower than typical.

I thought I might solve the problem with an ancient Hite Rite spring and
quick release unit
https://i0.wp.com/oi50.tinypic.com/124zyhi.jpg
so she could come to a stop, then lower the saddle before swinging her
leg over. But the seatpost motion is far too stiff. Despite several
hours of effort to be sure there are no burrs, despite trying different
lubricants, etc., the seatpost doesn't easily drop under her weight.

I can try to locate a much softer spring, I suppose. But I wonder if
anyone has come up with another solution, other than a
multi-hundred-dollar dropper seatpost, or a new bike. Ideas, anyone?


If money isn't too tight consider a "seat dropper". Hardcore downhillers
use those to drop the seat by several inches right before barreling down
a hill, for a lower center of gravity which reduces the chances of an
endo, then back up at the bottom of the hill. Very fast action. But they
cost well north of $100. Some can be activated from a remote switch on
the handlebar. The work similar to an office chair gas spring.

Other than a new Mixte touring bicycle, this is probably the best
option. You want to be able to drop the seat to get off, as well as to
get on. But a dropper seatpost is several hundred dollars.

Transferring components over to something like
http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/buena-vista is probably a
better long-term option.

My wife doesn't have stiffness that would make it hard to get on a
regular diamond frame, but she very much prefers low-step-over frames.




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On Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 4:43:52 PM UTC-7, SMS wrote:
On 7/19/2016 1:40 PM, Joerg wrote:
On 2016-07-19 10:36, Frank Krygowski wrote:
My wife's favorite bike, her Cannondale touring bike, is becoming
unusable for her. Due to stiffness in her hips, she's becoming unable
to swing her leg over the saddle in its normal position. The frame is
not a step-through design like a mixte or "girl's bike," although the
top tube is much lower than typical.

I thought I might solve the problem with an ancient Hite Rite spring and
quick release unit
https://i0.wp.com/oi50.tinypic.com/124zyhi.jpg
so she could come to a stop, then lower the saddle before swinging her
leg over. But the seatpost motion is far too stiff. Despite several
hours of effort to be sure there are no burrs, despite trying different
lubricants, etc., the seatpost doesn't easily drop under her weight.

I can try to locate a much softer spring, I suppose. But I wonder if
anyone has come up with another solution, other than a
multi-hundred-dollar dropper seatpost, or a new bike. Ideas, anyone?


If money isn't too tight consider a "seat dropper". Hardcore downhillers
use those to drop the seat by several inches right before barreling down
a hill, for a lower center of gravity which reduces the chances of an
endo, then back up at the bottom of the hill. Very fast action. But they
cost well north of $100. Some can be activated from a remote switch on
the handlebar. The work similar to an office chair gas spring.

Other than a new Mixte touring bicycle, this is probably the best
option. You want to be able to drop the seat to get off, as well as to
get on. But a dropper seatpost is several hundred dollars.

Transferring components over to something like
http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/buena-vista is probably a
better long-term option.

My wife doesn't have stiffness that would make it hard to get on a
regular diamond frame, but she very much prefers low-step-over frames.


After Brexit, this might be a deal: http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frames/23/miss-mercian Dude! $299 complete! http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...gesport_xi.htm

Frank, this is the big chance for your wife to jump to a Utopia Kranich. http://coolmainpress.com/AndreJute%27sUtopiaKranich.pdf There is no finer bike, and once fitted with a Rohloff Speedhub and chain-case, you will never have to do any maintenance of any kind, ever -- even if the bike is hit by a car. The car will require significant repairs, but not the bike.

-- Jay Beattie.

On Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 8:35:52 PM UTC-4, jbeattie wrote:
On Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 4:43:52 PM UTC-7, SMS wrote:
On 7/19/2016 1:40 PM, Joerg wrote:
On 2016-07-19 10:36, Frank Krygowski wrote:
My wife's favorite bike, her Cannondale touring bike, is becoming
unusable for her. Due to stiffness in her hips, she's becoming unable
to swing her leg over the saddle in its normal position. The frame is
not a step-through design like a mixte or "girl's bike," although the
top tube is much lower than typical.

I thought I might solve the problem with an ancient Hite Rite spring and
quick release unit
https://i0.wp.com/oi50.tinypic.com/124zyhi.jpg
so she could come to a stop, then lower the saddle before swinging her
leg over. But the seatpost motion is far too stiff. Despite several
hours of effort to be sure there are no burrs, despite trying different
lubricants, etc., the seatpost doesn't easily drop under her weight.

I can try to locate a much softer spring, I suppose. But I wonder if
anyone has come up with another solution, other than a
multi-hundred-dollar dropper seatpost, or a new bike. Ideas, anyone?


If money isn't too tight consider a "seat dropper". Hardcore downhillers
use those to drop the seat by several inches right before barreling down
a hill, for a lower center of gravity which reduces the chances of an
endo, then back up at the bottom of the hill. Very fast action. But they
cost well north of $100. Some can be activated from a remote switch on
the handlebar. The work similar to an office chair gas spring.

Other than a new Mixte touring bicycle, this is probably the best
option. You want to be able to drop the seat to get off, as well as to
get on. But a dropper seatpost is several hundred dollars.

Transferring components over to something like
http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/buena-vista is probably a
better long-term option.

My wife doesn't have stiffness that would make it hard to get on a
regular diamond frame, but she very much prefers low-step-over frames.


After Brexit, this might be a deal: http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frames/23/miss-mercian Dude! $299 complete! http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...gesport_xi.htm

Frank, this is the big chance for your wife to jump to a Utopia Kranich. http://coolmainpress.com/AndreJute%27sUtopiaKranich.pdf There is no finer bike, and once fitted with a Rohloff Speedhub and chain-case, you will never have to do any maintenance of any kind, ever -- even if the bike is hit by a car. The car will require significant repairs, but not the bike.

-- Jay Beattie.

right Frank doahn be tight here spend some dough for a quality bike....

what is the old girl's exercise regimen ?

Uncle Charlie of Tucson Ford piloted a bomber over Germany. Collingsworth flies in every winter for tour rides.

I chose machine gunner entry thru a small hatch afore the tail. No ladder*

I stayed on the crete boosting the old farts into the plane caws they cudnah do it...no way. Castroed

and then I kipped in zip no problem do it every day...

WHA how do that Dude ?

stretching ex every morning for uh 36 years. lube thr grooves.

On 7/19/2016 5:35 PM, jbeattie wrote:

snip

After Brexit, this might be a deal: http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frames/23/miss-mercian Dude! $299 complete! http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...gesport_xi.htm

I bought that Mixte, but I think they are no longer in stock.

There's a lot of used 1980's era Mixtes being sold around here.


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