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2011 Trek Madone 5.2 Seat Mast slipping - ?carbon paste or grease

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2011 Trek Madone 5.2 Seat Mast slipping - ?carbon paste or grease

Old 03-01-11, 09:56 PM
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2011 Trek Madone 5.2 Seat Mast slipping - ?carbon paste or grease

I noticed that my seat mast had slipped slightly after my last ride. I had the single binder bolt torqued to 5 Nm, and I've since torqued it to 6 Nm. I'm wondering whether carbon paste would help; I've also read something about using grease instead (which doesn't make sense to me).
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Old 03-01-11, 10:34 PM
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first of all, i don't know exactly what the specs are on that bike but don't over-torque it. i know many carbon posts, stems, etc. are 5 Nm max, so if that's what it is, don't go over it.

second, i'd go with carbon paste. prevents it from seizing to the frame, and i think it also adds some friction, which should help the slipping problem.
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Old 03-01-11, 11:09 PM
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Use a rock like Lance:
https://video.theaustralian.com.au/13...ea=videoindex1
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Old 03-02-11, 05:43 AM
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Originally Posted by climber7
first of all, i don't know exactly what the specs are on that bike but don't over-torque it. i know many carbon posts, stems, etc. are 5 Nm max, so if that's what it is, don't go over it.

second, i'd go with carbon paste. prevents it from seizing to the frame, and i think it also adds some friction, which should help the slipping problem.
I guess I am trying to be cautious. I double checked the torque specs - actually it says 6-8 Nm, so I guess if 6 Nm doesn't do it I'll try 7 and/or the carbon paste.
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Old 03-02-11, 05:59 AM
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That rock video is ridiculous. I have a 2005 Trek 1200 and I'm looking to replace it this year. I was looking at the 2011 Madone 5.2, but the "seat mast" is the thing I don't like.
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Old 03-02-11, 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by AllezDada
I noticed that my seat mast had slipped slightly after my last ride. I had the single binder bolt torqued to 5 Nm, and I've since torqued it to 6 Nm. I'm wondering whether carbon paste would help; I've also read something about using grease instead (which doesn't make sense to me).
Use carbon paste on the mast. The grease is for the seat clamp, the stupid one-bolt Bontrager system. Supposedly, it helps it get better seated.

Originally Posted by ScoJo
Tha t rock video is ridiculous. I have a 2005 Trek 1200 and I'm looking to replace it this year. I was looking at the 2011 Madone 5.2, but the "seat mast" is the thing I don't like.
Being tied to the Trek seat mast system is the single biggest reason to avoid Trek. I wonder if the embarrassment of that video is enough to knock some sense into them.
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Old 03-02-11, 07:43 AM
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Carbon paste. It won't move after that. The Lance video is odd, I'd say he'd have been a bit upset with him mechanic for pasting that thing up. Of course there is the possibility he got a bad seat mast.

Last edited by RacerOne; 03-02-11 at 07:48 AM.
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Old 03-02-11, 07:51 AM
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get a 4 series they have a regular style seat post.
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Old 03-02-11, 08:00 AM
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Is your's the round or oblong style? My 2011 5.9 has the round and the torque spec on the clamp is listed right on it as 7. That said mine is tightened to 5 using one of the little Ritchey 5 nm handle torque drivers and has held my 185 lbs so far. This was a concern of mine when I got that frame and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. There is some sort of grease on mine but I truly don't know what it is. I think it is the paste though as the mast section is already marked all up from the cap.
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Old 03-02-11, 08:37 AM
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Carbon paste!
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Old 03-02-11, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by R900
Carbon paste!
Oh now we wouldn't want a nickel's worth of fix to get in the way of people bashing a brand! :-p
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Old 03-02-11, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by jamesdak
Is your's the round or oblong style? My 2011 5.9 has the round and the torque spec on the clamp is listed right on it as 7. That said mine is tightened to 5 using one of the little Ritchey 5 nm handle torque drivers and has held my 185 lbs so far. This was a concern of mine when I got that frame and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. There is some sort of grease on mine but I truly don't know what it is. I think it is the paste though as the mast section is already marked all up from the cap.
I think mine should be the same (round). I didn't notice any markings on it, but I will look again.
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Old 03-02-11, 12:06 PM
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Grease should never be used on a carbon frame with a carbon seatpost, use carbon paste.
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Old 03-02-11, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by AllezDada
I think mine should be the same (round). I didn't notice any markings on it, but I will look again.
My clamp is marked with the torque setting. I've only done about 75 miles with this bike so far (winter roads means my LeMond takes the abuse mostly) so maybe it's just luck.
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Old 03-02-11, 01:01 PM
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I had a clicking noise. Turned out to be in seat mast. Removed mast/seat, cleaned, reassembled with carbon assembly paste, torqued. So far, so good. Get the paste. The mechanic at your LBS might just give you a dollop of it.
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Old 03-02-11, 02:15 PM
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1. Try carbon paste. Do NOT overtorque

2. Once you have determine what your ideal saddle height is...take 600# paper and lightly rough the seat mast under where the clamp will be. Unabraided carbon gel coat on many parts is very slippery.
This will be cosmetically transparent when the mast locates your seat in the desired position.

If above fails which it likely won't, try hairspray. Yes you read right...hairspray. Remove the post, place your hand where the height line is...I use a piece of tape...spray the mast then insert when still wet and tighten the clamp bolt to spec.

Hairspray when it dries is naturally a bit sticky but won't keep you from getting it apart. The reason for tightening when the spray is wet or still fluid is it is still amorphous and will fill the micro voids that cause your seat clamp to have less than perfect agreement with the post.
This technique works.

Start with 1 and 2. Even if you are a Clyde this should work. Note: all the above also helps silence a creaky post. I have owned more bikes than not that creaked before I did the above and never after.

Last edited by Campag4life; 03-02-11 at 02:18 PM.
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Old 03-02-11, 07:06 PM
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Checked the mast again - there is a marking for 7Nm on the binder (sideways on the end of it). So I did up it to 7Nm - did a ride today - so far so good (BTW I'm about 155 lb).
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