[SprungShoulders]

I've got a Balfa Minuteman (steel) which uses a seatpost binder bolt that threads into welded-on tabs on the seat tube. The threads in the tapped tab finally gave out. Would a HeliCoil work well in a situation like this? Or would I be better off simply drilling out the remainder of the buggered threads and using a simple bolt and nut?

Thanks!

 

[zane]

How long of a helicoil would you be able you fit? If you have over 1/4 in of material to use a helicoil it should work, and if it doesn't you could still use the nut-and-bolt idea as a last resort. The helicoil is weaker then the nut-bolt setup but looks cleaner, so you have to weigh your options.

 

[SprungShoulders]

Thanks for the input! I'll have to measure how much material I have available for a HeliCoil, but an eyeball estimate last night came out on the "not a whole lot" side of the fence, which was my concern about using a HeliCoil, and why I asked for help.

The bike's not winning any beauty contests as it is, so perhaps I'll just err on the side of reliability and simplicity and drill out the thread remnants and go the bolt/nut route.

Thanks again! Cheers....

 

[Spunger]

OR just dremel the tabs off and sand it down to make it round, and get a regular seat colar. That could always be an option

But the nut/bolt idea is far less work, will do the same thing, AND it's a hell of a lot cheaper Just get some 5mm socket head hex bolts that are the right length and some nuts with the nylon on the threads and a couple small washers and you're set. Probably like $3 total worth of hardware and your done.

 

[PatBranch]

Cutting the steel tabs off with a dremel will take days. It takes forever to cut threough 2 mm of steel.

A bolt and nut woulld be the simplest and most effective. It won't look bad either. A Stainless steel bolt and nut would look really good.

 

[Spunger]

Cutting the steel tabs off with a dremel will take days. It takes forever to cut threough 2 mm of steel.

I dunno what bit you use but a cut-off wheel works wonders on steel/bolts/whatever. I've cut numerous things both bicycle related and auto related with a Dremel tool and a cut-off wheel with no issues, quarks or problems. It was just a idea though....

I still say ream the hole out and use a bolt/washer/nut combo to hold it all in place. If the threads are beyond repair and since you don't have much to work with you are sort of out of options. The Bolt is the easiest, the other is harder but after it's done you can use a regular seat clamp. Either way will work though...