Seat post diameter Thorn Nomad Mk.1

[VeloFreedom]

My Thorn alloy seat post snapped the other day and I'm having some deliberations over what diameter replacement I can get away with. The old seat post was 29.8 diameter which makes me think the clamp on the Nomad Mk.1 (537l) must be 30mm. Does anyone know the clamp size on this bike?
Also, in general any thoughts on whether I'd get away with a 30mm replacement to my 29.8 post?

I'm currently in Peru where all investigations suggest that 29.8 seat posts don't exists. My temporary bodged solution involved cutting a section of the snapped tube to use as a shim for a much narrower post. It's okay for now but I need something much stronger so I'm arranging for a seat post to be sent over from the UK. I'd really like the setback Thomson Elite which is available in 30 dia. but not 29.8. I don't want to go to the trouble and expense of getting something sent over that might not fit.

I'd appreciate any thoughts, advice or information.
Many thanks

www.velofreedom.bike

[julk]

I would suggest getting a 27.2 seat post and a couple of shims 29.8 to 27.2 plus 30.0 to 27.2
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/page/ajx_p/?pf_id=32254

That way you should have one which fits.
julk

[VeloFreedom]

Thanks julk,

I have considered that option but really want to get as strong a post as possible. I ride with a Porcelain Rocket seat pack and favor tough roads. Having already snapped one seat post I don't want to risk going through this again for a good while.

[julk]

If money is no problem then think about a steel one.
I use one of these, I doubt you could break it by riding...
http://www.hubjub.co.uk/index.php/store/seat-posts/nitto-s84-seatpost-detail

[IanW]

29.8mm seat posts definitely do exist

        http://www.decathlon.co.uk/mtb-seat-post-298mm-id_8026721.html

And

        http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kalloy-alloy-silver-seatpost-25-0mm-to-31-8-in-0-2mm-increments-/161053764619?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item257f8d6c0b

But I also cannot find a Thomson Elite Setback in 29.8mm size.

In fact from http://bikethomson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/002-Elite-seatpost-SB-dimension-sketch-for-websitecorrected-lengths-rev_D1-1024x785.jpg it does not look like Thomson even manufacture a setback version in 29.8mm diameter, but they do make the inline version in 29.8mm http://bikethomson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/001-Elite-seatpost-dimension-sketch-for-website-rev_C1.jpg

On the issue of strength, maybe it is better if the seat post breaks rather than breaking either the frame or a broken-in saddle?

[VeloFreedom]

Yup, 29.8 dia. seat posts exist, just not in Peru.
There are couple of tasty looking posts on that site julk. Your NITTO S84 looks nice as does the Tange CrMo Seat post, they're a bit heavy though.

I don't think there's much chance of my Nomad Mk.1 frame breaking IanW, the thing is built like a tank! That frame set has been through a lot that it shouldn't have survived. And as far as saddles, I'm on my third Brooks in four years so that's not really a worry.

Thanks for your input. I emailed Andy Blance so we'll see what he has to say.

[VeloFreedom]

Interestingly Andy Blance tells me this...

"The Mk2 Nomads came with a 27.2 post and a shim, I made this change because I actually like shims, they make it far less likely that customers will suffer the dreaded seized seat post and they allow the seat post to be inserted fully, without issues, when trying to make a bike as small as possible for transportation purposes."

If Andy thinks the 27.2 dia. post is strong enough for Mk.2 riders then it gives me the confidence to go with the shim and narrower post combination.
Thanks guys.
Case closed!

[Dave Whittle Thorn Workshop]

Cane creek do a nice shim too http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cane-creek-cane-creek-272-mm-seat-post-shim-prod20718/