Fitting a carbon seatpost

[lejogger]

I have purchased a Ritchey WCS Carbon seatpost to replace my Ritchey Comp Alloy version...

...because it's more bling.

My instinct was to loosen the seat clamp, remove the old, clean everything up and then slide in the new, before tightening the seat clamp... however small voices in my head are telling me not to be so naive.

I've heard phrases including the words 'torque wrench' and 'carbon paste'.

What's the dealio?

 

[screenman]

You need both, I have a nice carbon frame here with a alloy seat post stuck solid in it. Before anyone suggest how to remove it, we have tried them all.

 

[derrick]

I have purchased a Ritchey WCS Carbon seatpost to replace my Ritchey Comp Alloy version...

...because it's more bling.

My instinct was to loosen the seat clamp, remove the old, clean everything up and then slide in the new, before tightening the seat clamp... however small voices in my head are telling me not to be so naive.

I've heard phrases including the words 'torque wrench' and 'carbon paste'.

What's the dealio?

Is it a Carbon or ally frame.

 

[lejogger]

Is it a Carbon or ally frame.

It's a carbon frame.

 

[Tim Hall]

You need both, I have a nice carbon frame here with a alloy seat post stuck solid in it. Before anyone suggest how to remove it, we have tried them all.

What, even a time machine and dollop of grease?

 

[derrick]

It's a carbon frame.

Then both, i had to use carbon paste on mine or the post would keep moving down. torque wrench is a must.

 

[screenman]

What, even a time machine and dollop of grease?

We even had the vicar say a prayer to get it out, even that did not work.

 

[fossyant]

Carbon & carbon yup, both.

If you are handy with spanners, then I'd say no need for a torque wrench. Got carbon post in an alloy frame and used grease - no slippage in 4 years.

 

[Smurfy]

You need both, I have a nice carbon frame here with a alloy seat post stuck solid in it. Before anyone suggest how to remove it, we have tried them all.

Looking on the bright side, you can now remove the seat post bolt and save some weight.

 

[02GF74]

the fact that people are talking about carbon frame, feel free to correct me but the ones I have seen have what appears to be an thin aluminium tube inserted at the top of the seat tube, at least on my bikes.

some seat post/seat clamp combinations work fine, others will tend to slip so apply carbon assembly paste - is a type of grease with tiny abrasiv particles that provide the grip. If you are mecahnically sympathetic, you do not need a torque wrench but can do it by feel and experience to tighten the bolt.

there is a trick with a washer I have discovered that works with lightweight seat post clamps.

 

[Zakalwe]

A stuck seat clamp can sometimes be pinged out by removing the bolt, putting it in the wrong, threaded, side with a penny jammed in the slot to tighten the bolt against...

... Obviously take some care on a carbon frame.