Non-Brompton foldie riders: tricks, tips, or gadgets for consistent seatpost height?
 

My Tern Link D8 doesn't have any seatpost markings other than minimum and maximum insert depth. I'm very sensitive to my bike fit being even slightly off, so I'd love to have a way to be able to set the seatpost exactly the same height every time. My first thought was a silver sharpie, but there's a thin coating of grease on the post that I would guess would dissolve sharpy, and I also think it would get worn away quickly when I lower the seatpost anyways. I know there's a gadget for brompton bikes that let's you set the seatpost height, is there anything similar for non-brompton bikes?

How about a nylon cord tied to say main tube and / or chain stay and seat rails? I don't do this my self, but I have a Brompton and my other folders have seat post markings.

That's not a horrid idea, though I don't trust myself to tie knots that won't loosen over time :lol:

Maybe to change seatpost for one with markings? If those are available of course.

Take a metal file and put a mark in the post. Roger

A seatpost with level markings for under $10?

You have a link for where I can purchase that in the US?

Don't know, man. But here a Litepro A61 seatpost with height marks can be had for less than $5 (delivered). Can't you get this from the likes of ThorUSA? The Tern USA store shows two seatposts with height markings.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5fd456f38f.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e10e37b5a0.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c560e8c04d.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...48e7a7bc89.jpg

I have no association to Mitra Jaya Bike save for as a customer.

Here's some seatposts, shims, etc: Seatposts, Seats, Saddles

I wasn't questioning whether or not I could buy a seatpost. I was questioning whether a decent seatpost was available in the US for $10.

Gotcha. Hope you are able to find a solution....

Oil-resistant permanent marker
https://www.arromark.com/industries/...d-gas-industry

Use a gold or silver Sharpe pen to mark your preferred height.

I put an aluminum sandwich disc with a steel cable attached to the bottom of the seatpost it limit the maximum extension of the seatpost and prevent to easily take the seatpost+saddle out of the bike to steal it Good for Cheapron, it cost almost nothing !.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4f0e4ba5c.jpeg

That's neat!

This is where the issue of location comes in. It's near IMPOSSIBLE for us to get parts at that price point. It's nice that it's all of $5 where you live, but that'll NEVER be the case for us in North America,...and that goes for canada as well.
Just posting a link, just in case. Ya never know if someone is shopping for the same thing.

Interesting,...🤔

you can check Aliexpress. There are many seat post versions, aluminum is about $12-13 and carbon finer start at about $17. Shipping to US would probably be a few bucks or free.

I know all about it, I'm a frequent flyer. I purchased my solid mast folding bike handleposts from Aliexpress. I have got them because I wanted a handlepost that folds to the outside (right hand side) of the frame. I've also had "issues" with Aliexpress shafting me before. I ordered 2 handleposts, and I received 1. I'm not a fan.

Aliexpress doesn’t sell, sellers do. Same as with eBay. You need to screen sellers, see numbers of reviews and read the reviews. But products of known brands etc. Similar precautions as on eBay and online shopping platforms alike.

Oh, I did take precautions, and they're not like eBay in the fact that they sided with the seller when provided with proof of the issue. I was told all responsibility was on ME to handle any and every problem that had occurred. I ordered 2, and the package contained 1, and I lied to them (that's what they said). Again, considering my stellar purchase history, I had been deemed responsible. I've NEVER encountered that issue with eBay - PERIOD!

It’s good that we all have a choice then, eBay it is then :)

The sad part is there's so much to choose from on AliExpress,... :(

My take on this is to buy only cheap parts there unless you know seller is solid. Even if something goes wrong with $10 purchase I wouldn’t be too sad about it.

The problem is the management sides with a seller based on the wrong critera, and that ruins it for all of us. And $10 adds up over time, so it's a bigger deal in the long run.