Carbon Conundrum

[letmetalktomark]

Afternoon,

I can never remember if your supposed to grease a carbon seatpost before inserting it :shock:

Or is a carbon post in a steel frame okay un lubed?

M

 

[Andy R]

Pace RC005 Carbon Composite Shield ??

 

[letmetalktomark]

Pace RC005 Carbon Composite Shield ??

Interesting - seems to increase friction :?

I'm more concerned about once inserted getting the bugger back out

Prehaps it me having a blonde moment :roll:

 

[David Gibson]

carbon seatpost

I don't think you're ever supposed to grease a carbon seatpost. Not good for the longevity of the carbon.

 

[Andy R]

Well, I don't use carbon posts so I can't speak from first-hand experience.
However, here's some more on the subject -

http://www.velonews.com/article/9023

The general consensus seems to be that it's better to grease than not to, and that grease doesn't adversely affect carbon composites.

 

[messiah]

I've run carbon posts for years in steel and alloy frames. I've never greased them, but I've also never removed any grease residue from what was in before. My personal take would be to have enough grease to prevent corrosion i.e. I tiny bit wiped around inside the seat tube, but not a great glob like some people use - and take it out every so often to make sure it's not corroding in... like you should anyway... it's called maintenance and i'm worth it.

 

[cherrybomb]

If you're worried about it sticking use graphite. I wouldn't use grease on carbon in all honesty. You could try contacting a couple of manufacturers and asking if they'd recommend it I s'pose.

 

[Kneedowndean]

On my Carbon Control TEch Frame project I am using a carbon seatpost in carbon frame. The issue with carbon seatposts is that you cannot torque them up like a steel or ali one, so they can tend to slip down. Hence the Pace Carbon shield stuff. I know for a fact that if tightened to the recommended settings my carbon seatpost slipped, but I am now using carbon paste and it seems to be working, although I've onl;y tried it on oe ride so far!

 

[Xesh]

I can never remember if your supposed to grease a carbon seatpost before inserting it :shock:

You should never grease a carbon post as chemicals in the grease will react with the resin in the composite and cause the carbon to de-laminate. Only use lubricants specifically made for use on carbon such as the Pace stuff (Finishline also do a similar product).

 

[Andy R]

This seems to be a commonly held view, but has anyone actually had any first-hand experience of this happening ? Maybe it's just one of those "urban myth" type of ideas......I think the reason that greasing isn't advised for carbon posts is that it would encourage them to slip, leading to excessive clamp tightening to prevent this, and this is what leads to the post being damaged or failing - not some chemical action by the grease on the resin.

Hence the need for the Pace grease....