tightening bolts/seat clamps on carbon frames.

[Salty seadog]

Are there any special considerations to be given when tightening up parts on a carbon frame such as the seat post, is there a need to be a little more careful or will it take the same pressures?

 

[smokeysmoo]

It should say on the clamp. IIRC it's usually about 5 or 6 Nm.

If in doubt get a torque wrench or a Ritchey torque key, they are pre-set to 5Nm.

 

[Salty seadog]

Wise words, I'll have a go on a torque wrench, be interesting to "feel" what tightening to 5Nm is like.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I've got some Finish Line Fiber Grip between my CF seatpost and CF frame. It seems to have stopped any slippage.

 

[MikeW-71]

Torque wrench. Use carbon paste on the seatpost to prevent it slipping.

 

[jack smith]

can i just butt in here, are torque wrenches really neccacery? i mean is there any major difference between a set torque and as tight as it will go? i get the feeling it is incase something breaks but what about solid parts such as heavy duty metal stems?

 

[AndyRM]

can i just butt in here, are torque wrenches really neccacery? i mean is there any major difference between a set torque and as tight as it will go? i get the feeling it is incase something breaks but what about solid parts such as heavy duty metal stems?

Finger tight, then a bit more is what I've always applied.

If you reach b&stard tight, then you've gone too far.

 

[MikeW-71]

can i just butt in here, are torque wrenches really neccacery? i mean is there any major difference between a set torque and as tight as it will go? i get the feeling it is incase something breaks but what about solid parts such as heavy duty metal stems?

Yes they are, and yes there most certainly is.

 

[Hacienda71]

Or you can pinch a bit of hairspray of swmbo.

 

[martint235]

can i just butt in here, are torque wrenches really neccacery? i mean is there any major difference between a set torque and as tight as it will go? i get the feeling it is incase something breaks but what about solid parts such as heavy duty metal stems?

After crushing a carbon seat post I can definitely say there's a difference. Carbon, iirc, is usually woven to provide a particular directional strength so can be damaged if pressure is applied in the "wrong" direction.

That said I don't use a torque wrench but I also don't own any carbon anymore!

 

[jack smith]

Cheers all! Got a lot of carbon on the way inc bars stem seatpost and saddle and think I'll get a torque wrench before they arrive lol

 

[screenman]

Or you can pinch a bit of hairspray of swmbo.

? I thought that was for handlebar grips, the old rubber type.

 

[Hacienda71]

? I thought that was for handlebar grips, the old rubber type.

Seems to work well on seatposts. I have used it on mine and never had any slippage since.

 

[screenman]

Seems to work well on seatposts. I have used it on mine and never had any slippage since.

My worry would be not getting it out again. I only questioned it because I had never heard of it before, are you not concerned what effect the solvents may have on the carbon.

 

[BlueDog]

Are there any special considerations to be given when tightening up parts on a carbon frame such as the seat post, is there a need to be a little more careful or will it take the same pressures?

Hi Salty seadog - I'm guessing that this question is in advance of you getting your Corbin framed Whyte Montpellier... After owning mine for about 2 months I started to get a knocking sound from the back, which I ignored for a while, but then found that the 2 bolts which hold the disc brake to the frame had come loose (very loose actually!) and the front disk block was also quite wobbly. I can only assume that the LBS didn't do a particularly good job in checking these before handing it over to me. Anyway, I then got a torque wrench as a present, so I'm now better safe than sorry