Bicycle Mechanics - where to clamp Carbon bike on work station?

Just got a Trek 5200, and Workforce stand, is it o.k. to clamp down tube? I do not have enough area on seat post to clamp. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mark with tape and then raise the seat post until you have room to clamp it.

I was using the workforce stand to also store the bike in my garage. I like the tape idea, however, doing that every time may get old real quick. Thanks for the tip though. BTW, seat post is also carbon fiber, so want to make sure that I don't damage or stress anything!!! Thanks

If the clamp will open wide enough to hold the seat tube without crushing it it is OK to clamp there. I clamp my AEGIS carbon bike all the time with no ill effects.

The manual says clamp the seatpost, but the manual also says that some energy drinks will corrode your frame !!!
RTFM at
http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2003/pdf/03_bike_owners_manual_en.pdf

OMG a energy drink will corrode the frame, I'm not sure if I want that stuff in my stomach!!

Originally posted by Kev
OMG a energy drink will corrode the frame, I'm not sure if I want that stuff in my stomach!!

Your stomach lining is already used to corrosive substances... like... errr digestive fluids. It's probably going to be able to withstand energy drink better than a CF frame finish. :D

Originally posted by Bludool
BTW, seat post is also carbon fiber, so want to make sure that I don't damage or stress anything!!!

Some carbon posts have a stress relief area. Make sure you clamp within that area. It should be marked off by the max insert and min insert lines.

Additionally, CF frames have a metal insert in the seat-tube. If you clamp near the top of the seat-tube, you should be okay. Just don't torque down the clamphead and make sure you use some sort of padding to prevent abrasion.

mebbe use a crappy seatpost to put in frame while working on bike?

If the tape idea is going to get old fats put a reflector at the seat tube. It legal and functional.

Jody

Originally posted by PROduction
If the tape idea is going to get old fats put a reflector at the seat tube. It legal and functional.

You mean seatpost don't you? That's a good idea. I would go further and recommend mounting a blinkie-light mount instead of a reflector though.

Thanks Khuon. I meant on the post at the tube... or something:rolleyes:

Jody

Get and use a park ISC-1 internal seat tube clamp.

I drape a towel on the work stand and rest my frame (under the top tube) on top of the towel. I don't normally use the clamp. This works for me for most applications requiring my maintenance stand.

Originally posted by mrfix
Get and use a park ISC-1 internal seat tube clamp.

wouldn't a crappy $10 seatpost be cheaper?

Yes it would be less expensive if you have just one bike or if all you bikes had the same seat post diameter. One advantage to using the park clamp is it raises the bike higher in the stand, the clamp tube runs down along side the bike seat tube, it is about 12" long and you can clamp anywhere on that tube, it gives you a little flexibility. But hey, if ya want to buy a cheap tube and use that, go ahead.