taylorgeo

Hello all,

1. Is it safe to put a straight (steel) seatpost into an aluminum frame?
1. Pros/cons of quick-release vs. bolt-style seatpost clamp?

Thanks.

Iride01 

• It won't blow up. It'll have to get quite hot beyond melting point for the steel and aluminum to act like thermite. So yes it's safe. Rarely you might have some corrosion between them, but you are going to put some nickel anti-seize or grease of some sort on it aren't you? Perhaps you are thinking about that dissimilar metals thing. But that won't typically be an issue for most conditions the bike will be in.
• Some quick releases are a pain to use, others seem to be a joy. I wouldn't know which brands were either. I've broken bolts plenty of times. But they are easier to replace when I do since bolts of some sort can be found most anywhere that can replace the broken bolt.

I have had bikes with one or the other. I didn't really think one any better than the other.

shelbyfv

Just keep it greased. The bolt type has the advantage of known torque but people use either w/o complaint. The QR type might not be advisable for someone very overweight, could slip if not tight enough.

50PlusCycling

Use a quick release clamp if you live outside the city, use a bolt if you live in the city. There seems to be a common mental disorder in cities which causes people to steal bike seats even when they don’t own a bike.

Pratt

Once, I read that Merckx carried a spare seat post clamp bolt because he adjusted seat height so often, the bolt would fatigue.

JohnDThompson 

It's just as safe as putting an aluminum post in a steel frame. Be sure to use grease or ant-seize in both situations, to prevent electrolytic galling.

Pros: easy adjustment
Cons: easy theft

soyabean

Use a quick release so you can remove the seat to make the bike look unattractive.

No bolt style seatpost clamp will stop a determined Brooks or fiziks theft.

This is highly recommended if bikes are left unattended the whole day.

A seatpost clamp with a premium saddle is fine for errands and short parkings, but I've had crackheads unbolt my train station bike to steal a crusty saddle on a vintage seatpost rod with a saddle clamp.

JohnDThompson 

Leaving the seat tube open to rain, cigarette butts, etc.

My commuter bike, with a short piece of chain securing the saddle to the frame: