[erleichda]

new cdale supersix with FSA SL-K seatpost. I noticed recent creaking both when I mash uphill out of the saddle, (usually flexing the bike a lot wrenching the hood levers back and forth) and also when wiggling on the seat when seated.. To troubleshoot, I loosened then tightened the stem/handlebar/seat rails and seat post clamp to spec'd torque with a change only to no creaking when seated and wiggling on the saddle.

So I removed the seat/saddle and did some quick climbs in the hills at my house. No creaking. It's the seatpost

I am thinking it is creaking because I lowered the seat post to the max insertion line. (which is still a bit too high for my legs for perfect positioning). Thus there is a lot more seatpost in the frame now.

I'll change out the seatpost to my thompson next to see what happens, but should I be looking for a different seatpost that allows the lower seat height? (I need about 1/2" lower than the max insert line.)

Thanks.

 

[JustTooBig]

If you're worried about how much post is in the ST, nothing wrong with cutting off a seatpost that's too long. Take off any rough spots and camfer the edge a tiny bit, and you're good to go.

 

[seppo17]

I just replaced a FSA SLK seatpost with a Thomson because the FSA post creaked/popped with my frame. Though I was actually reasonably close to the min insert line with my saddle height.

 

[Kerry Irons]

Explaining

So I removed the seat/saddle and did some quick climbs in the hills at my house. No creaking. It's the seatpost.

How do you think it is making noises when you're out of the saddle? Are your thighs hitting the saddle somehow? It just doesn't seem like there could be enough force on the seat/post from your thighs touching it. Is it possilbe there is something hanging loose from the saddle or inside the post? I'm having trouble understanding how you could be getting noises from the saddle/post when you're standing up.

 

[erleichda]

I think it is from flexing the bike.

I can't get the noise from yanking on the saddle, yanking on the cranks, pushing and twisting the handlebars.

And when the seatpost was removed...entirely...no more creak.

 

[Camilo]

How can you be even close to satisfied at all with a seat post 1/2 inches too long? 1/2 cm too long is seriously, painfully noticable for me.

 

[bwhite_4]

I think it is from flexing the bike.

I can't get the noise from yanking on the saddle, yanking on the cranks, pushing and twisting the handlebars.

And when the seatpost was removed...entirely...no more creak.

You think the frame "flexing" is causing your seatpost to creak? I'd love to see how this bike is setup. Unless your seatpost reaches down to your bottom brack (or seattube cage bolts), I don't think that is possible.

 

[mtbbmet]

Did you ever think that it could be the BB, HS, FH body, QR skewers, or pedals? You know, one of the things it almost always is. There is a serious flaw in your logic.
How much do you weigh, or how many Megawatts are you putting out if you are flexing a Supersix to the point of flexing the seat tube? I could maybe understand if the post is so long that it is grinding on the H2O mounts inside the frame, but it would also make that noise when seated. Look elsewhere.

 

[PJ352]

Just a shot in the dark here, but I'm wondering if when the post is fully inserted it's hitting the internal portion of upper cage bolt (or similar). To check, you could mark where your post enters the frame, remove it, and place it parallel to the seat tube with the mark at the top of clamp. You'll then know how far into the frame the post extends.

EDIT: mtbbmet beat me to this thought (and I agree with his logic), but I still think it's worth the minimal effort to check.

 

[flattire]

I believe the max line on the seatpost refers to how HIGH you can raise the post, not how low you can put it into the seattube.