How to install a saddle on a seatpost with a top facing bolt

Question

I recently purchased a new bike and I am trying to swap the original saddle for my own. On my previous bike both bolts holding the seat clamp together are down facing, i.e. accessible from below the saddle. On the new Bianchi one of the two bolts is facing upward and only accessible through the saddle cutout. This is fine when removing the original saddle however my saddle does not have a cutout, so I have no way of tightening that bold. There is not enough clearance to get an Allen wrench in there. There is a knob-like thing on the front bolt, but I couldn't dream to tighten it to 1 Nm, let alone the 8-10 Nm recommended.
I would go and ask the LBS but they are so busy right now they can't help anyone (some are downright dismissive when asking for help). Any help, suggestion or reading material would be appreciated. Thanks

JoeK · Accepted Answer

You use the front bolt to set the angle first, then torque the rear bolt. Sometimes a few times to get it right.
The front bolt is adjusted with the thumbdial or a lever put into one of the holes in the thumbdial (eg 2.5mm allen key) when the rear bolt is fully slack. Hopefully it won't have blue loctite on it but if it does, you should remove it and replace with grease.
The thumbdial is shown in the second photo, the black, splined part on the bolt.

Chris H · Answer

I can't be sure without seeing it from the side, but one option would be to cut down an allen key of the right size so it fits in the space available. You can take most of the short arm off with a good hacksaw or a grinder, just be sure to keep enough straight metal to engage the screw head. I've done this for a kickstand, as well as for a few non-bike applications

Answered by Chris H on July 17, 2021

MaplePanda · Answer

This is simply how two-bolt "infinite adjust" seatposts work. The front bolt acts as an angle adjuster, while the rear bolt does the actual tensioning. Tightening both bolts to the rated torque is first off too much clamping force, and secondly defeats the repeatable and adjustable nature of this style clamp.

Answered by MaplePanda on July 17, 2021

How to install a saddle on a seatpost with a top facing bolt

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