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Carbon Seatpost preparation

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Old 05-17-22, 02:23 PM
  #1  
force10
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Carbon Seatpost preparation

How thoroughly do I need to remove grease from the seat tube, etc before installing a carbon seatpost in place of an alloy post?

Aluminum frame, if that matters.

Thanks
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Old 05-17-22, 02:34 PM
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Crankycrank
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Doesn't have to be sterile clean, just enough that when running your finger in the ST it comes out clean. Make sure to apply new grease or carbon paste.
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Old 05-17-22, 02:53 PM
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cxwrench
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Originally Posted by crankycrank
doesn't have to be sterile clean, just enough that when running your finger in the st it comes out clean. Make sure to apply new grease or carbon paste.
ftfy.
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Old 05-18-22, 10:36 AM
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KerryIrons
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
ftfy.
Not broken. Grease works just fine. If the post slips when torqued to the proper setting, then switch to carbon assembly paste, which is just grease with grit in it.
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Old 05-18-22, 12:46 PM
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Crankycrank
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Originally Posted by KerryIrons
Not broken. Grease works just fine. If the post slips when torqued to the proper setting, then switch to carbon assembly paste, which is just grease with grit in it.
+1. If you don't have any CF paste, try grease. Usually works fine. My neighbor weighs 260lbs. Never used anything on his CF seatpost except grease and never slips.
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Old 05-18-22, 02:13 PM
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Since you guys know more than me would you use grease w/ a carbon post and a carbon frame?
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Old 05-18-22, 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
Since you guys know more than me would you use grease w/ a carbon post and a carbon frame?
Carbon assembly paste for the win
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Old 05-18-22, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
Since you guys know more than me would you use grease w/ a carbon post and a carbon frame?
If CF/CF I wouldn't use anything unless it slips or creaks then paste would be my choice. Did I pass your exam?
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Old 05-18-22, 06:01 PM
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Agree with Crankycrank, and while I have not seen it with bikes in industry we have had greases disagree with some carbon epoxies resins.
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Old 05-18-22, 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Crankycrank
If CF/CF I wouldn't use anything unless it slips or creaks then paste would be my choice. Did I pass your exam?
Eh...I'd use the carbon past from the beginning so I don't have to worry about whether it's going to slip or not.
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Old 05-19-22, 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
Eh...I'd use the carbon past from the beginning so I don't have to worry about whether it's going to slip or not.
My whole point is that if you don't have any on hand and want to save $8+ and don't want one more tube of something that might get used every 2 years?? laying around it's OK to try without. I would agree that using the paste to begin with it the best choice if what I mentioned are not a concern for the user.
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Old 05-19-22, 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
Eh...I'd use the carbon past from the beginning so I don't have to worry about whether it's going to slip or not.
Exactly. Anyone that does any work with carbon parts should have carbon paste on hand. At the very least it allows you to use the lowest possible torque setting to clamp your carbon components.
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Old 05-19-22, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Crankycrank
If CF/CF I wouldn't use anything unless it slips or creaks then paste would be my choice. Did I pass your exam?
I bought Finish Line Fiber Grip CF Bicycle Assembly Gel for just > $8 from Amazon.com 3 years ago, and still have quite a bit left. It is now just < $10 on Amazon.com. At either price it is safer (for me) just to use a little so I can slightly under torque the hidden seat post clamp to reduce the risk of cracking the clamp or the CF seat post, both of which are much more expensive.
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Old 05-19-22, 06:37 PM
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Though assembly paste can scratch finishes, so I'd only use if you need it.
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