Originally Posted by
Dan333SP
Even as the one facing this problem, I don't think it's really that big a deal or a reason to avoid a certain bike, so long as you're buying new and the shop can swap to suit whatever your fit or saddle needs are. Just makes it harder for those of us who buy things used 6 years later. Seatmast caps and seat clamps aren't exactly wear items so in theory if it works for you it'll always work, unless it's busted in a crash or somesuch.
As someone whose newest bike was 25 years old when I bought it, the used market is more where I'm concerned. Of course, if I stay with my pattern of buying bikes that are at least 25 years old, it'll be a while before I get to the point where I'm looking at frames with seat masts. And that's not taking into account that my wife thinks the 3 bikes I have are already more than I need (and I don't see giving one of those up without them getting wrecked).