Why is it on backwards?

[Keith A]

So I was doing a little reading in CyclingNews today and ran across this picture of a Robobank Colnago and saw that they had the seat clamp on backwards. Is there a good reason for doing this?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/jan08/tdu08/tech/Rabobank_extremePower.jpg

[Keith A]

But the Milram mechanics think the clamp works just fine the "regular" way...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/jan08/tdu08/tech/Milram_Colnago.jpg

[sspielman]

They do that in order to not focus the stress on the carbon seatpost at the slot....

[Keith A]

They do that in order to not focus the stress on the carbon seatpost at the slot....Assuming you can rotate the clamp, is it good idea to do this with with all carbon seatposts?

[sspielman]

Probably..but it is still a step down from using a clamp that pulls tangentially to the post such as those made by Campagnolo and Selcof...

[Keith A]

Good one sspielman!

http://www.excelsports.com/image/Campagnolo%20Seat%20Post%20Clamp.jpg

So today I discovered Campy seat clamps and Shimano cleat bolts...all thanks to this forum :D

Edit: Try to say that three times fast...
"Campy seat clamps and Shimano cleat bolts"
"Campy seat clamps and Shimano cleat bolts"
"Campy seat clamps and Shimano cleat bolts"
:rolleyes:

[Viper]

backwards = the new forwards

PS. Seeing Shimano on Italian frames is always weird. I had a girlfriend at age 27 she had a padded bra and I was like, what the?

PSS. When I saw the title of the thread I was hoping it did not pertain to the nose surgery you had atmo. :beer:

[stevep]

some guys think it funnels a little less water into the seat tube if the slot faces front.

might.

[csm]

shimano.... normal facing clamp
campagnolo.... backwards facing clamp

[Peter P.]

I think this bit about reversing the clamp to reduce stress on the seatpost is a delusion. In fact, I find it amazing that this practice provides enough clamping force to keep the post from slipping. You see, when the slots are "opposite", and you tighten the clamp, there's no slot for the clamp to close the gap.

However, if you put the slot in the front of the seat tube, then yes, there's less chance of road spray and general muck to find it's way into the seat tube. But, the seat tube must extend sufficiently above the top tube so that the clamp has the ability to clamp the gap tight. Too short of a slot, and the clamp is ineffective. At least that's been my personal experience with a Salsa Ala Carte I have. I extended the slot another 15mm, drilled a relief hole, and my problem was solved.

[Keith A]

When I got home, I just had to check out the design of my two carbon bikes I have at home (the Colnago as still at the office right now). The Trek is just a regular design, but the Time VXR has the slot in the front along with a rubber O-ring that protects the frame from the clamp...nice design! I must say that it certainly appears that a lot of thought went into Time's latest modules (as they call them)...not that other bike manufactures don't. On the other hand, the decals on Time's seatpost come off really easily and the clear coat on their frames appear more fragile than others.

[Keith A]

So does anyone know where you can find one of these Selcof clamps?

http://www.selcof.com/07/img/_prodotti06/VB%2014.jpg

[sspielman]

So does anyone know where you can find one of these Selcof clamps?

http://www.selcof.com/07/img/_prodotti06/VB%2014.jpg
try contacting these guys:
www.erapro.com