We've had the Thorn tandem out of action since the seatpost broke on the last day of our cycling holiday about three weeks ago. I'd tried to shift the post stump using a mole wrench but couldn't shift it - though I was being a bit cautious as I wanted to avoid distorting the seatpost remnant which could make things even more difficult.
After seeking advice from local cyclists, the best suggestion was to take the offending seatpost to John the Seatpost Man in Chorley. I decided that taking the whole tandem up was going to be a hassle and, since I planned to give the tandem a good clean up, I stripped the tandem down and only took the rear frame section with us. We'd planned a visit to the Leeds area for family reasons, so we drove up to Chorley before heading east to the Leeds area. This was OK, except the drive to Chorley took ages, due largely to an accident up ahead of us as we skirted Manchester.
The Seatpost Man operates out of his well-equipped workshop, and from what I could see is pretty occupied with removing seatposts (and other similar situations like stuck quill handlebar stems). I have no idea how he works his magic as he generally sends customers away while he works. We went off for a coffee and light lunch after which I got a text saying the post was out and ready for collection.
When we retrieved the frame, we had a conversation about seat pins and tandems. Apparently the diameter of the seat post is unusual at 28.6mm (but I already knew that) and I had been remiss at keeping the seatpost well greased as there was a little corrosion in there. Feeling mildly admonished I was also advised to check seatposts twice a year and to use copper grease. Good advice I reckon.
Once we were done, we set off for Gargrave where JD Tandems is based. After our recent ride on the Longstaff tandem we had felt that the stoker bars needed to be replaced. I had ordered a pair of Satori bars for collection. Unfortunately we arrived after they'd closed for the day, we'd arranged for the bars to be stashed outside the premises for us to pick up. The Satori Dali bars are wider for better clearance of my hips and I think should offer more hand positions and better reach for the stoker. I'll fit this when we get home after this latest jaunt.
I checked the seatpost of my Principia road bike - it's a Camapgnolo titanium post in an alloy frame. It seems not to be stuck despite being ignored for several years! The rest will be checked when I return home...