The seatpost on my Dawes Galaxy had been stuck for over 2 years. I couldn't move it and neither could the bike shop. At first I wasn't too bothered but when I was fitted for my new bike I realised that the saddle on the Galaxy was too low making it less comfortable and inefficient. I searched the web and methods of sorting it looked rather extreme and risked damaging the frame. Then a club-member suggested the Seatpost Man. He (John Lee) is based in Chorley, Lancs so not local but on the way to the North. He was very good at agreeing a time to suit me. I left the bike with him and in 2 hours it was done. Cost £60 but cheaper than a new frame and the bike is now a pleasure to ride (as well as being easier to pack up for touring!).
I'd definitely recommend him to anyone who has a similar problem. And what an excuse for a trip up North - cycling or otherwise!
I find a thin film of "Copper Ease" anti seize assembly compound is a good preventative measure. Good for pedal threads and any metal to metal interface. Not used on carbon to carbon though, so not sure if it would be suitable for that.
Do you know how he did it Joy? And did you get the original seat pin back or was it wrecked in the process?
The usual approach involves some or all of heat, cold and shock (= large hammer or Stilsons wrench), plus liberal application of penetrating unguents. In extreme cases caustic soda will dissolve the aluminium ...
Like Martin I use copaslip to guard against unwanted metal to metal interaction. (Let me know if you would like a smear.)
It's a well known problem, but I wouldn't have expected anybody to make a successful business out of it; full credit to the seat post man! I see from his website the method he uses is a secret.
Sheldon gives a number of ways to tackle a stuck post. Option 13 looks particularly interesting not just for carbon on carbon.
I don't know how he did it. He had to destroy my seatpost although he said that this was not always the case. It's not a full time business - more a specialist sideline but increasing as he gets more well-known. I believe the local bike shops use him.
I have now used copper grease to prevent a recurrence!
I had a similar problem with my handlebar stem. Completely locked in and impossible to move. John at Sivyer Cycles managed to replace it, but only after many hours of hard labour sawing in off and drilling out the remaining stub. John said that it was a common problem where aluminium and steel is clamped together and the only way to prevent this was a coating of copper based grease between the two. He also recommended that these stems and seat posts be removed and re-greased once per year.
The main cause of this problem is poor maintenance/neglect, I fully agree with John Withey that seat pillars and stems should be removed and regreased once a year - however, copper grease is not essential, good old Vaseline or motor grease work just as effectively.