Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
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puffin
Posts: 559
Joined: 15 Aug 2010, 3:29pm
Location: Bicester / Aylesbury

Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

Post by puffin »

Hi again. I have a 1990's Galaxy which I haven't used in a while. The seat post was stuck, luckily at my height, but yesterday a local engineer got it out. Yea!! However, I went to buy a 27.2 seatpost but it didn't fit, I went to my LBS who sold me a 27 seatpost, still won't fit, so I'm going to order a 26.8 one. Just before I do that, does anyone know if any 1990 Galaxieshad 26.8 seatposts or is it likely the tube is deformed? Thanks in advance for any wisdom.
9494arnold
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Joined: 21 Jan 2007, 3:13pm

Re: Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

Post by 9494arnold »

I would have expected 27.2 in a 531 Galaxy.
My 'tame' (and sadly now deceased) mechanic used to say that whenever you change a seatpin you should drop a reamer in to clean things up. He had 3 set at 26.8 27 and 27.2 .
Not come across it with Galaxies but I did have a 531 Peugeot that I was struggling to get a seatpin in, my mechanic said it wasn't unusual (for Peugeot?) to put the seat tube in upside down, which gave you a 26.8 pin rather than a 27.2. Might be worth taking it to a quality lightweight shop or framebuilder to confirm.
I have seen (and owned) more than enough frames with wrong size seatpin where the clamp on the frame has been hideously distorted . Worse one was a 26.4,pin in a 531 frame, someone had drilled through the pin and put a nut and bolt to rest on top of the seat lug to stop it slipping. :shock:
If you are West Mids I have a 26.8 you could try. Pm me if you are close , between Wolverhampton and Kidderminster.
rjb
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Re: Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

Post by rjb »

My galaxy from that time was 531st and the seat pin was 27.0mm. Prize open the ears at tad to check its not catching before it goes in.
Try and clean up the seat tube. Use a broom handle as a mandrel cut a slot and slide some emery paper in the slot then around it then work it in the seat tube. :wink:
Look at the seat pin that was removed, the size should be engraved on it. :wink:
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840 :D
puffin
Posts: 559
Joined: 15 Aug 2010, 3:29pm
Location: Bicester / Aylesbury

Re: Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

Post by puffin »

I guess this question is did Galaxy's ever have 26.8 size seatposts or is mine deformed?
puffin
Posts: 559
Joined: 15 Aug 2010, 3:29pm
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Re: Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

Post by puffin »

rjb wrote: 29 Apr 2021, 4:49pm My galaxy from that time was 531st and the seat pin was 27.0mm. Prize open the ears at tad to check its not catching before it goes in.
Try and clean up the seat tube. Use a broom handle as a mandrel cut a slot and slide some emery paper in the slot then around it then work it in the seat tube. :wink:
Look at the seat pin that was removed, the size should be engraved on it. :wink:
Done it! Its much cleaner but still won't fit. Re: the old seat pin, excellent thinking, I'll try to get hold of the engineer. Thanks for this.
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gaz
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Re: Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

Post by gaz »

Our 90's Galaxy Twin came with 26.8 seat posts but 27.0 are better in practice. Likewise Mrs gaz has a late 90's Super Galaxy that arrived from Dawes with 27.0 but is happier with 27.2.
High on a cocktail of flossy teacakes and marmalade
AndyA
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Joined: 21 Mar 2009, 9:16pm
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

Post by AndyA »

9494arnold wrote: 29 Apr 2021, 4:33pm I would have expected 27.2 in a 531 Galaxy.
Not come across it with Galaxies but I did have a 531 Peugeot that I was struggling to get a seatpin in, my mechanic said it wasn't unusual (for Peugeot?) to put the seat tube in upside down, which gave you a 26.8 pin rather than a 27.2. Might be worth taking it to a quality lightweight shop or framebuilder to confirm.
Lots of Peugeots (and other French bikes) used metric diameter tubing, lugs etc. Reynolds and Vitus made metric sized tubes to suit, so instead of a 1 1/8"/28.6mm seat tube they would use a 28.0mm with the same wall thickness, giving you a 26.6mm seatpost.

Definitely worth taking it to an experienced shop/builder for a look over. My 1997 Galaxy was 27.0mm, and a customer's 1993 to hand is also 27.0mm
puffin
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Joined: 15 Aug 2010, 3:29pm
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Re: Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

Post by puffin »

I've ordered a 26.8 off ebay, I'll report back. Thanks for all the advice.
puffin
Posts: 559
Joined: 15 Aug 2010, 3:29pm
Location: Bicester / Aylesbury

Re: Dawes Galaxy 1990's Seat Post Size

Post by puffin »

puffin wrote: 30 Apr 2021, 9:04am I've ordered a 26.8 off ebay, I'll report back. Thanks for all the advice.
Yea! Sorted.
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