I hate seatposts.  Hate them.  They slip, creak, sieze, and the collar bolts have a bad habit of breaking at inconvenient times (who carries around a spare 5mm allen bolt?  I’m racing, that’s 2 extra grams!). Speaking of extra grams, seatposts are heavy: manufacturers always claim low weights, but when you measure, they are always 250g or more.  Seatposts don’t hold your seat very well, especially single-bolt designs, I once rode 140 miles in a race with numb…well, lets just say the saddle angle slipped after I hit a pothole hard early in the pre-dawn dimness.  AND seatposts are hard to adjust; usually it is impossible to adjust the angle without messing up the fore-aft.  Don’t get me started on the side-clamp designs—they only accommodate one type of rail, and it is always the wrong type. 7mm? 10mm?—AND they catch on the insides of your shorts.

Hate them.

​Thus, I am pleased to offer the Métier Vélo Micro-Adjusting Saddle Mount (MASM). 

I believe I have solved all of the problems associated with mounting one’s saddle to one’s bicycle securely, and adjusting it easily so that it stays put in the correct position.  No  more numb, well, TMI.  Plus the MASM looks nice. Sort of like an upsidedown sock.  The MASM has the following features:

• No-slip, no-creak, no-seize, no-collar
• Accommodates 7mm & 10mm saddle rails
• 150g plus stainless hardware
• Secure, balanced symmetrical 2-bolt clamp/cradle
• Neutral-pivot angle adjustment: adjust saddle angle with
  minimal, predictable effect on height
• 60mm of micro-adjustable height at 1mm per turn
• +/- 15˚ angle adjustment around a 73˚ seat tube angle
• Fore-aft adjustment independent of saddle angle
• 25mm rail interface maximizes fore-aft adjustment
• 27.2 mm, 30.9 mm, 31.6 mm & custom diameters

The only problem is the price: currently (2016) $3,000 made to order or $2,800 option on a Métier Vélo frame. I wish I could give them away because I think everyone should have one.

Métier Vélo LLC will have a new builder table at NAHBS 2016! The North American Handmade Bicycle show is the premier event for small builders to showcase their craftsmanship; this year it is in in Sacramento, California.  I’m excited to be showing a bike; it will be great to get feedback from some of the best bike builders around.  I hope we’re on the right track with Métier Vélo.  Thanks to Don Walker for the opportunity.  Red Kite Prayer has an interview with Don about the 2016 show that is worth reading. If you can make it to Sacramento (highly recommended), find us at New Builder Table 17.

Shimano handles its OEM accounts directly, rather than through a distributor.  As a small builder, I wondered if Shimano would be willing to handle a small account.  I needn’t have worried; Shimano’s local representative in Park City was very supportive and got Métier Vélo all set up with an OEM account so that I can offer competitive prices on Shimano components.   I’ve been riding Dura-Ace pedals since Dura-Ace existed, and I just discovered PRO cockpit components (the carbon bars are really nice), so I’m please to be able to offer Shimano components on Métier Vélo frames.