Carbon tips

Paul057

After months of deliberating and waiting for my cycle scheme to open up, i finally ordered a Ribble Stealth yesterday.
I'm just wondering if anyone has got any tips for looking after a carbon frame. Is there anything i should be doing regarding maintainance? Any no-no's?
I've ordered a carbon seatpost too so i'm planning on using some carbon assembly paste (i seem to remember reading on another thread that carbon to carbon can cause slippage issues?)
Also, i'm a bit worried about overtightening the post. Do i need a torque wrench or is there another method i can use to make sure i don't do any damage?
Any comments appreciated

pbt150

Buy a torque wrench.

Paul057

How much torque do i need? Or will it be marked on the bike?

fludey

Normally marked on the bike mine says 7nm, yes use paste and get a torque wrench.

kingrollo

get a torquey - like a mini torque wrench - fits in your saddle pouch - and stops tightening if you go to far.

Carbon isn't a delicate as you may think - yes it breaks - but so soes alloy and steel - all of them infrequently

sungod

Paul057 wrote:

How much torque do i need? Or will it be marked on the bike?

can vary for each bolt/component, some will have it marked next to the bolt, some you might need to look up in the manufacturer's installation/service instructions

the marking is usually the maximum, typically you need less

fwiw on my bikes, a couple of bolts are 2nM, a couple are 3nM, most are around 6-10M, but on chunky stuff like cassette lockrings and cranks the value can be much higher

tbh a torque wrench is most useful for the delicate bits, going by 'feel' gets less and less reliable at low torque, imho a 2-25nM torque wrench will let you handle all the jobs that need one

cougie

I've never had a torque wrench for mine and hair spray stops slippage at no cost. If you pinch your wifes anyway.

markos1963

Don't leave it uncovered in the shed, spider webs can cause a reaction with the resins in the carbon leading to catasrophic failures on descents.