I compared my 3 nimbus seat posts.
20": Lean and twist in saddle plate. Twist is the worst on this one.
24" Some twist but level in center. Never noticed feeling like I was leaning while riding this one.
29" Barely detectable twist but the worst out of level. And thinking back there were times I felt that same leaning sensation on my 29". I just figured it was me or some combination of me and my modded seat foam. Now i feel confident that it’s the seat post.
Ride tests tomorrow.
Im not following you on the “twist” part “4 corners on different plane” is this different than tilt? I guess it is if they are all different. Did you try to remount the seat backwards idea to assess the lean?
I haven’t had a chance to ride yet since this discovery. Today turned into a Uni maintenance day (and I’m supposed to be taking a few days off from riding). So no I have not tried turning the seat around. I repaired a flat and modded the rim a bit since I’ve had two valve stems tear on that rim. I also trued all three of my wheels and checked the dish by eye. All seem to be very close to center. Now when I do ride the saddle and the seat posts will be the variable.
If you turn the seat post over and try to rest it on the four corners of the plate (the thing with four holes in it), it rocks on two of the corners. It won’t set level on the four corners. The two short sides should be parallel to each other but they are not on two of my seat posts. The one that does not have a twist has the worst lean and I have definitely noticed feeling like i was riding on the corner of that saddle.
Here is what I discovered. Typically one end is roughly square to the seat post and the if pressed down flat on the table the seat post is close to vertical. The other end if pressed flat to the table the seat post is not straight up and down. This should make shimming the seat to level fairly easy since I know what corner is ‘out’ and then all that’s left is accounting for any left of right lean.
I hope that makes some sense. I’m kind of dismayed that something so basic as welding a small plate perpendicular to a post seems to be such a moving target.
BTW these are the Nimbus seat posts, not the ‘club’ seat posts.
I’m guessing the KH seat posts are probably dead level and square. Even though money is tight I think Im going to order one for my 29".
Turns out it was a leaning saddle. High on the side of lean. Shimmed it and MUCH better. Anyone else with a Nimbus KH gel that is not flat?
I actually have scoliosis where my spine curves slightly to one side (it’s unnoticeable without an x-ray) and actually had the same problems with a bicycle, but that problem even went away for me in time.
Other things to consider:
Seat too high, which can cause you to overreach, making it more difficult to keep loose hips: Lower your seat.
One leg longer than the other: Lower your seat.
Seat foam packed out: New seat foam, add foam to low side or shim.
Seat alignment issues, make sure the seat (not the grab handle) is aligned with the uni. Some folks will intentionally twist the seat out of alignment to help adjust for unicycle pull.
Tire choice, some tires like to steer into sidehills: Try a different tire and/or run lower pressure
Wheel size: Bigger wheels tend to pull more, get used it it.
Rim dish: make sure your wheel is built and trued correctly.
Beginner rider issues: Ride more, try a lower seat position, play with tire pressure, tilt your seat back so your hips move more freely on the seat.
Thank you for the advice! And what a terrific thing to do about swapping the stirrup leathers so they stretch evenly. I can’t believe I haven’t thought of that before! To bad I can’t do it on my endurace saddle! Well I don’t think I can but will look now!