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Proper seat post torque?

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Old 03-14-07 | 07:00 PM
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Proper seat post torque?

Bontager Race X Lite Carbon Fiber seatpost in alum frame.

Anyone have the proper torque from a torque table somewhere?

Do you lube the post in this case with regular grease or anti-seize?

Thanks for any help you can offer.
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Old 03-14-07 | 07:06 PM
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Okay, just found my own answer about the torque, but what about grease vs. anti-seize. I've heard lots of different opinions about this on the road forum.
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Old 03-14-07 | 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Plainsman
Bontager Race X Lite Carbon Fiber seatpost in alum frame.

Anyone have the proper torque from a torque table somewhere?

Do you lube the post in this case with regular grease or anti-seize?

Thanks for any help you can offer.
do not lube carbon seat posts because you will not be able to tighten it. With my carbon post I did it fairly tight and put some electrical tape around the bottom of the post (about 1mm up from the clamp) so I could tell if it was slipping. Then I rode it saw it slipped and I tightened it up a bit tighter. Rode, slipped, did it up a bit tighter. Did this until it stopped slipping. For me this is when I know I have the right amount of torque.

Anyway correct amount of torque is gonna be a function of seat post strength and rider weight. I dont put much faith in recommended torque.
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Old 03-14-07 | 07:20 PM
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Most makers of carbon seat posts and carbon frames list very precise torque limits for tightening the seat post bolts on their web sites. But, I've never seen a bike shop use a torque wrench when installing a seat post.

With my own carbon frame, I use a very small compact "pocket" wrench to tighten the seat bolt. That makes it difficult to over-tighten the bolt. I just get the bolt snug, and try to twist the saddle left and right using moderate force. If the saddle stays put, I test ride the bike and test for slipping. If necessary, I tighten a touch more, and do another test ride.

I think I could get over cracking a carbon seat post, but if I ever cracked the frame...that would take awhile to get over...
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Old 03-14-07 | 07:28 PM
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I found the owner's manual on Bontrager's website. I have an inch-lb torque wrench, so I guess that part is covered. I'm not sure about not lubing the post though. The site says to apply a light bearing grease (is that different from regular grease) to prevent galvanic corrosion. Is this a big concern?
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