B. Seatpost Quick Release
Many mountain bikes are equipped with quick-release seat post skewers. The seatpost quick-release skewer works exactly like
the wheel quick-release. While a quick release looks like a long bolt with a lever on one end and a nut on the other, the quick
release uses a cam action to firmly clamp the seat post.
WARNING: Riding with an improperly tightened seat post can allow the saddle to turn or move and cause you to lose
control and fall. Therefore:
1. Make sure you know how to correctly clamp your seat post.
2. Understand and apply the correct technique for clamping your seat post quick release.
3. Before you ride the bike, first check that the seatpost is securely clamped.
Adjusting the quick release mechanism
The action of the quick release cam squeezes the seat collar around the seat post to hold the seat post securely in place. The
amount of clamping force is controlled by the tension adjusting nut. Turning the tension adjusting nut clockwise while keeping
the cam lever from rotating increases clamping force; turning it counterclockwise while keeping the cam lever from rotating
reduces clamping force. Less than half a turn of the tension adjusting nut can make the difference between safe clamping force
and unsafe clamping force.
CAUTION: The full force of the cam action is needed to clamp the seatpost securely. Holding the nut with one hand and turning
the lever like a wing nut with the other hand until everything is as tight as you can get it will not clamp the seatpost safely.
CAUTION: If you can fully close the quick release and the lever does not leave a clear imprint in the palm of your hand, the
tension is insufficient. Open the lever; turn the tension adjusting nut clockwise a quarter turn; then try again.
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