Grease on alum seatpost/Ti frame?
03-16-08, 11:17 AM
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Grease on alum seatpost/Ti frame?
Title says it all: do I need to put grease on a Thomson aluminum seatpost inside a Ti frame? Thanks.
03-16-08, 11:18 AM
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Yes. The Ti isn't a corrosion problem but the Al can be. Do it.
03-16-08, 11:29 AM
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Lots of threads here on this - the consensus seems to be that a copper-based anti-sieze (like Ti prep) is ideal, but I'd bet any grease would work Okay, especially if you don't leave it in place for years. You definitely want do use something.
After investing serious money in a Ti bike, I went ahead and spent $10 for some Ti-prep at the local bike shop.
- Mark
After investing serious money in a Ti bike, I went ahead and spent $10 for some Ti-prep at the local bike shop.
- Mark
03-16-08, 12:39 PM
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Thomson parts are annodized to great specs, and this should prevent corrosion under most conditions. Still, a good coat of grease or anti-seize is reccomended.
03-16-08, 12:55 PM
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Making a kilometer blurry
I would grease it, and pull it out very three months.
I had a friend get his Dura-Ace post stuck in his Serotta Legend Ti. We got it out, but had to cross-drill it in two places, insert two 16" screwdrivers, pack the seatpost in ice, and give it hell. I think I remember someone saying that the interaction between Ti and AL is particularly nasty.
It's not worth the risk. Pull it out of there every so often and re-grease it.
I had a friend get his Dura-Ace post stuck in his Serotta Legend Ti. We got it out, but had to cross-drill it in two places, insert two 16" screwdrivers, pack the seatpost in ice, and give it hell. I think I remember someone saying that the interaction between Ti and AL is particularly nasty.
It's not worth the risk. Pull it out of there every so often and re-grease it.
03-16-08, 01:01 PM
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It's not that the anodized aluminium corrodes. As you say the anodizing will resist that (although it's not totally proof against it). Rather it's the galvanic action between dissimilar metals that is the ussue. Steel and aluminium is one such example and from the sounds of that last post Ti and Al is just as bad or worse.
I suspect they suggest a copper based anti seize since the copper acts as an anode to avoid frame or post corrosion much like a sacrificial zinc on the keel of a steel boat hull helps avoid corrosion to the steel. Speaking of boats.. mariners with aluminium hulls will generally refuse to dock near steel hull boats for extended time due to the galvanic action between the hulls in salt water. When they have to you can sometimes look at the water near the hull and see bubbles coming off the aluminium hull where the bottom paint is thin or scuffed off. It's the same thing here.
I suspect they suggest a copper based anti seize since the copper acts as an anode to avoid frame or post corrosion much like a sacrificial zinc on the keel of a steel boat hull helps avoid corrosion to the steel. Speaking of boats.. mariners with aluminium hulls will generally refuse to dock near steel hull boats for extended time due to the galvanic action between the hulls in salt water. When they have to you can sometimes look at the water near the hull and see bubbles coming off the aluminium hull where the bottom paint is thin or scuffed off. It's the same thing here.
03-16-08, 01:25 PM
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I have a Ti frame and Thomson seatpost. I use anti seize every season.
03-16-08, 04:01 PM
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Anti seize is best. Nickel or copper base anti seize only changes temperature ratings, either one is fine.
They are both recommended for Ti. Aluminum and ti combos gall easily too. So does ti against ti.
They are both recommended for Ti. Aluminum and ti combos gall easily too. So does ti against ti.
