Carbon seat post

temitchell1987

Hello all,

Some advice, direct me to the workshop if you feel that is more appropriate.

I have recently bought my first carbon steed. I have heard horror stories about seat posts snapping, warping etc etc when the band is over tightened. How tight should I be doing it up?

Thnak you for tolerating my stupidity on your forum.

Strith

Use a torque wrench to tighten it to whatever the manufacturer recommends.

temitchell1987

Good thinking that man. I'll go back under my rock now.

chrispsmith83

Also use some carbon paste so it doesn't get stuck

BikeSwan

Invest in a torque wrench. Very useful for any carbon part. I'll say one thing though; my uber light seatpost is tightened considerably tighter with the torque wrench than what I would with just an allen key. It's actually harder to crush a modern seatpost than you think. Still . . . it's a good idea to play it safe and buy a decent torque wrench!

sandyballs

chrispsmith83 wrote:

Also use some carbon paste so it doesn't get stuck

The main reason for using carbon paste is so that a lower torque can be used, it is a friction paste not a lubricating paste.

wellbeloved747

I use some fibre grip then tighten to 5nm, it will break under weight before it slips!

jameses

+1 for a decent torque wrench if you can spare the cash. If not, carbon assembly paste (reduces the amount of torque necessary for a firm hold) and a quarter turn of the hex key until it feels firm enough. This may take a bit of trial and error, but it's better to under tighten than over. Also, carbon seatposts probably aren't as delicate as you imagine!

thefd

Can anyone post a link of a decent torque wrench?

Monty Dog

Ritchey Torqkey is all you need - preset to 5Nm and only £12-13.

jordan_217

Monty Dog wrote:

Ritchey Torqkey is all you need - preset to 5Nm and only £12-13.

+1 brilliant little tool. You can also tease the 'fixed' hex bit out of the tool body and use different sized bits. If you need a torque wrench with greater levels of adjustability then I can thoroughly recommend this Sealey one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-8-inch-2 ... B000RO1ZCG

You'll also need these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-0593-Hex- ... _sim_diy_2

I've used mine quite a bit over the last year or so and it's been faultless.

Bar Shaker

This is what you need:

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.ice?ProductID=CBON008300&gclid=CM2N8LG5s7YCFeXKtAodFnEATw

The best bike tool you will buy.

cheaterkiller

Whats the best way to tighten one WITHOUT a tool that measures torque?

wellbeloved747

And a tube of this!!
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fin ... tch__plid_

Monty Dog

cheaterkiller wrote:

Whats the best way to tighten one WITHOUT a tool that measures torque?

Carefully! If you use a T-handled tool and rely on a twist of your wrist rather than trying to exert lots of leverage.