BumbleBeeDave
09-07-2005, 09:55 AM
Saw this on Velo News and I can't think of a more definitive answer to this question for the ages!
So, FYI . . .
BBDave
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Tech Talk: Reports
Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn: Carbon tubes and lubes; Tour tech redux; crank-length questions
By Lennard Zinn
VeloNews technical writer
This report filed September 6, 2005
Seat tubes and lube?
Dear Lennard,
I have been in the bicycle industry for many years and have consistently had conflicting advice about using grease in a frame's seat tube when using a carbon seatpost. With the many materials that frames are using now, are there some frames that should have grease in the seat tube when using a carbon seatpost, or is using grease in a seat tube with a carbon seatpost a big no-no? What do the majority of frame and carbon seatpost manufacturers have to say about this and why isn't it more clear? Also, if grease is a good idea, is there any particular grease that is better to use than others?
Ian
Ian,
Here are responses from some carbon-seatpost makers.
Lennard
From Easton:
No grease on carbon posts. Grease contains certain minerals that can attack clear coats, can penetrate the resin matrix and could cause swelling of the composite laminate. Can you say "stuck seat post?" Don't use grease.
John G. Harrington
Vice president, bicycle products
Easton Sports, Inc.
From Campagnolo:
No grease. In some cases it can be dangerous to use grease as the chemical composition can cause a reaction between materials. Besides, it increases the torque required to clamp the post.
Richard Storino
Campagnolo USA
From Deda:
Absolutely no grease on carbon, ever. Also, do not use solvents to get old grease off, or to get old grease out of the seat tube. John Harrington of Easton and I believe that many solvent residues in the seat tube soften the gel coat of the carbon, then bond the gel coat to the inside of the seat tube, freezing the seat post in position for eternity.
Tom Franges
Deda Elementi North America tech support
From Bontrager:
There are some petroleum greases that are slightly acidic. That acidity can attack the resin used in carbon-fiber construction (frames or posts). This same acidity can attack aluminum or steel frames components, too. However, most greases are engineered to be slightly basic. Neither Trek's nor Bontrager's carbon resin is affected by this acidity. The main reason we suggest you don't use grease on any seatpost inserted into a Trek OCLV frame is that there is not enough surface roughness inside the seat tube to ensure your post stays where you put it.
Scott Daubert
Trek team liaison
So, FYI . . .
BBDave
________________________________
Tech Talk: Reports
Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn: Carbon tubes and lubes; Tour tech redux; crank-length questions
By Lennard Zinn
VeloNews technical writer
This report filed September 6, 2005
Seat tubes and lube?
Dear Lennard,
I have been in the bicycle industry for many years and have consistently had conflicting advice about using grease in a frame's seat tube when using a carbon seatpost. With the many materials that frames are using now, are there some frames that should have grease in the seat tube when using a carbon seatpost, or is using grease in a seat tube with a carbon seatpost a big no-no? What do the majority of frame and carbon seatpost manufacturers have to say about this and why isn't it more clear? Also, if grease is a good idea, is there any particular grease that is better to use than others?
Ian
Ian,
Here are responses from some carbon-seatpost makers.
Lennard
From Easton:
No grease on carbon posts. Grease contains certain minerals that can attack clear coats, can penetrate the resin matrix and could cause swelling of the composite laminate. Can you say "stuck seat post?" Don't use grease.
John G. Harrington
Vice president, bicycle products
Easton Sports, Inc.
From Campagnolo:
No grease. In some cases it can be dangerous to use grease as the chemical composition can cause a reaction between materials. Besides, it increases the torque required to clamp the post.
Richard Storino
Campagnolo USA
From Deda:
Absolutely no grease on carbon, ever. Also, do not use solvents to get old grease off, or to get old grease out of the seat tube. John Harrington of Easton and I believe that many solvent residues in the seat tube soften the gel coat of the carbon, then bond the gel coat to the inside of the seat tube, freezing the seat post in position for eternity.
Tom Franges
Deda Elementi North America tech support
From Bontrager:
There are some petroleum greases that are slightly acidic. That acidity can attack the resin used in carbon-fiber construction (frames or posts). This same acidity can attack aluminum or steel frames components, too. However, most greases are engineered to be slightly basic. Neither Trek's nor Bontrager's carbon resin is affected by this acidity. The main reason we suggest you don't use grease on any seatpost inserted into a Trek OCLV frame is that there is not enough surface roughness inside the seat tube to ensure your post stays where you put it.
Scott Daubert
Trek team liaison