Help! Worn inner edge of 5mm seatpost bolt?

[mass_biker]

Any suggestions? Tightening this up today after building it up for travel and went to adjust it lower, and realized that the inner face is worn *just* enough that no 5mm hex key can gain purchase to loosen it. It’s not a recessed bolt so I suppose pliers that grip well enough could do the job. Lowering it would be great to dial the ride, but when this trip is over I will need to loosen it completely to break the bike down. Failing which, I can find a local bike shop?
Open to any ideas.
M_B

[Hindmost]

What tools are available? If pliers work, good temporary solution. Visegrips better.

[mass_biker]

Tried the standard pliers I have here (not visegrips) where I am visiting - but no luck - so per the Interweb folks suggested “parrot nosed pliers” that can grab onto rounded (or rusty) bolts with 3 points of contact to hopefully allow for good grip and extraction. Ordered and they will arrive this week so hopefully that works! In the meantime, open to any suggestions.

[RoosterCogset]

You could try jamming a Torx bit in there that is close in size and giving that a shot.

[m_sasso]

Originally Posted by RoosterCogset

You could try jamming a Torx bit in there that is close in size and giving that a shot.

R and R, easiest solution, hammer a Torx bit in and unscrew the seat post clamp bolt and replace.

[mass_biker]

Alas - no Torx bits at the house where I am saying. I’ll have to try some other options!

[Hindmost]

Hardware store nearby? Amazon? If so, buy vicegrips and replacement bolt.

[bahyow]

5mm => 0.197 inches

If you can find a 13/64" allen wrench thats => 0.203 inches. Often you can hammer it into rounded socket bolts and get enough grip to remove the offending fastener.

Otherwise, the torx bit option is a good one. Or a spiral shaped screw extractor.

[mass_biker]

Looks like I’ll head over to the local Castorama and see what I can find to resolve this. Thank you and I’ll keep you all posted. Great reminder to travel with more bits and bots than I am used to!
MB

[nicrump]

The correct size spiral screw extractor is the tool for this job. Done many times in my shop.