The Chainlink

Step back seat post for old Schwinn

I have an old Schwinn cruiser style tandem where I’d like to put some more distance between myself and my stoker. Does anyone know where to buy step back or bent seat posts that fit old Schwinns with their unique diameter? Alternately, does anyone have the capability to bend a seat post?

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Permalink Reply by igz on November 18, 2010 at 10:33pm
funny...i went through the same exact situation last week. ya probably need a 22.2. and good luck finding one. i tried a few shops locally...lugs, rapid, irv's. no dice. upgrade had one. when i went to pick it up, they asked 'what the hell you want something like that for, what are you doing with it'? basically, just get one online...i found plenty....but you MUST verify that size. i suddenly keep hearing about how goofy some of schwinns sizing of parts is, and now often obsolete.

i also asked about bending if the one i got didnt work. they said it was a bad idea...would make the seat post soft and compromise the integrity
Permalink Reply by Don P on November 19, 2010 at 11:07am
If I understand your intention correctly, you want an offset seat post mounted reverse (the other way would move you closer) to increase the distance between you and your stoker. The net result may be unfavorable, because it will move your lower body forward in relationship to the pedals, and make it uncomfortable to pedal.

There is some leeway. If you are looking to move forward an inch or so, and have the standard Schwinn seat with the seat clamp attached, try reversing the seat clamp, and you will gain an inch. If you slide the clamp to the rear of the seat rails, a little more distance can be gained.

The traditional solution to put distance between you and your stoker is to replace the stoker's stem, which is mounted on your seat post. There are both fixed and adjustable stems available; make sure it fits the diameter of the stoker's handlebars. It is perfectly acceptable to shim the stem where it attaches to your seat post, if the stem is not an exact fit for your seat post. Older Schwinn tandems do have a variety of seat post sizes, but if it is from the 80's it is probably 26 or 26.4mm. The only way to be sure is to take the measure with a caliper.
Permalink Reply by Liz on November 19, 2010 at 11:30am
The problem with our old schwinn twin is that the stoker “top tube” length is short, very very short. The idea with the laid back seat post is to put it on the stoker (my) seat post tube. Right now we have the stoker’s seat slide as far back on the seat rails as possible, and the stem is pretty short as is. While I realize that I will not be in “ideal” pedaling position, having my knees in my captain’s butt is less than ideal. So until we finally decide to cough up 3k for a proper tandem, this would be a solution for our fun cruise rides on the old tandem. We tried a bmx style "laid back" seatpost, but it was too large for the bike. :(



Don P said:
If I understand your intention correctly, you want an offset seat post mounted reverse (the other way would move you closer) to increase the distance between you and your stoker. The net result may be unfavorable, because it will move your lower body forward in relationship to the pedals, and make it uncomfortable to pedal.

There is some leeway. If you are looking to move forward an inch or so, and have the standard Schwinn seat with the seat clamp attached, try reversing the seat clamp, and you will gain an inch. If you slide the clamp to the rear of the seat rails, a little more distance can be gained.

The traditional solution to put distance between you and your stoker is to replace the stoker's stem, which is mounted on your seat post. There are both fixed and adjustable stems available; make sure it fits the diameter of the stoker's handlebars. It is perfectly acceptable to shim the stem where it attaches to your seat post, if the stem is not an exact fit for your seat post. Older Schwinn tandems do have a variety of seat post sizes, but if it is from the 80's it is probably 26 or 26.4mm. The only way to be sure is to take the measure with a caliper.
Permalink Reply by Don P on November 19, 2010 at 1:42pm
OK, now I understand the application. You have already found out that getting what you want is unlikely. So, here is a suggestion:

Check ebay for a lay-back 7/8” seat tube in aluminum. There are many offerings. The tubing walls are thick enough to sand (this will take a while) enough material off the seat post to fit into your seat tube. Remember, you are only taking off slightly more than 1mm. You don’t have to sand the whole tube, just the section that is likely to go into the seat tube. Depending on the length you buy, you can cut off any length you don’t need. Minimum safe insertion into the seat tube is 2 ½”.

I have done this with seat posts in the past on some of my French bikes. It works fine, and after the tube is polished, it is hard to tell the post is not stock.




Liz said:
The problem with our old schwinn twin is that the stoker “top tube” length is short, very very short. The idea with the laid back seat post is to put it on the stoker (my) seat post tube. Right now we have the stoker’s seat slide as far back on the seat rails as possible, and the stem is pretty short as is. While I realize that I will not be in “ideal” pedaling position, having my knees in my captain’s butt is less than ideal. So until we finally decide to cough up 3k for a proper tandem, this would be a solution for our fun cruise rides on the old tandem. We tried a bmx style "laid back" seatpost, but it was too large for the bike. :(



Permalink Reply by igz on November 19, 2010 at 3:10pm
it will

Cameron Puetz said:
The diameter is 21.15 mm, I considered trying to bend a post but wasn't sure if that would weaken the post too much.


M.A.R.K. said:
Or.. Come to think of it.. I may have a semi bent seat post for a Schwinn in my garage from my chopper. Since my post is on such a slant, my fat ass seems to bend them, leaving me to have to give it a 180 turn every couple of months.. Know the Diameter?
Permalink Reply by igz on November 19, 2010 at 3:11pm
mark, if its a 22.2, i might be interested in it

M.A.R.K. said:
Or.. Come to think of it.. I may have a semi bent seat post for a Schwinn in my garage from my chopper. Since my post is on such a slant, my fat ass seems to bend them, leaving me to have to give it a 180 turn every couple of months.. Know the Diameter?
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on November 19, 2010 at 4:11pm
Have you considered reaming out the seat tube using a brake cylinder hone? It wouldn't take much work to bump it up to 22.2mm so a BMX post would fit.
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on November 19, 2010 at 4:18pm
Disregard my suggestion. I misread your post and thought it was 22.15mm. You'd have to take quite a bit of material off to get a 22.2mm to fit.
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on November 19, 2010 at 4:28pm
If it is steel or chromoly it won't be compromised as long as it's done properly using an appropriate bender.

iggi said:
it will

Cameron Puetz said:
The diameter is 21.15 mm, I considered trying to bend a post but wasn't sure if that would weaken the post too much.


M.A.R.K. said:
Or.. Come to think of it.. I may have a semi bent seat post for a Schwinn in my garage from my chopper. Since my post is on such a slant, my fat ass seems to bend them, leaving me to have to give it a 180 turn every couple of months.. Know the Diameter?

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