new to carbon frames
 

I just got my first bike that has a carbon frame and a few questions have come to mind. First off I got a Raleigh Talus 29 Carbon Elitie. Using my t-wrench I don't seem to be able to tighten my seatpost clamp tight enought to get the seat to stop moving, is there anything I can do to tighten the seatpost down without destroying the frame? Second it gets cold during winter here and I was wondering how the colder temps can affect the carbon frame? Am I able to ride during winter or does the frame become to britle? Is there any else I need to know about carbon frames before summer comes and I start really riding this bike? Thanks for the help everyone!!!!

Temperature won't affect the frame either way. At least not any temperature you'll be able to survive.

As far as clamping the post is concerned, try using a traction or grip material like carbon assembly paste instead of grease.

Carbon, particularly if it also has a carbon seatpost, often requires "assembly paste" to prevent slippage. This is a gritty paste that provided the needed traction and any bike dealer should have it.

Cold weather is no problem unless you are riding through liquid oxygen. :) Ride with confidence. Remember, a lot of newer aircraft are built with carbon composit panels, etc. and at high altitude they are subject to low temperatures we can't even imagine. For a more down to earth example (pun intended) some exotic and performance cars are also using carbon composite components and winter is no problem for them either.

seat collars and seattubes and seatposts come in various diameters. you might want to double check you have the correct combination.

+1 Be certain that your seat post is the correct diameter for your frame.

Use some carbon prep once you find out if you have the right size post. DONT!! just go nuts trying to tighten the bolt i've seen way to many cracked frames over the years from customers who treat a carbon frame like it's steel. Carbon has torx specs for a reason!

Yep. Proper size components, carbon friction paste, and proper torque...for which you need a torque wrench.

As said, check the diameter of the seat post to the seat tube. It should be tight with no side wobble but able to move up and down easily or with some friction, preferable with some friction, very light friction or a little more. If so, then you need to purchase Tacx, a carbon paste that will help prevent the seat post from sliding, or visit a bike store for some. You need very very very little on your seat post as when you push the seat post down, the Tacx will be forced upwards and out.

Welcome to the world of carbon frame bikes! Great material. Did you buy the bike new? If so the dealer should sort that out under warranty. Otherwise try cleaning the post to see if that improves the grip. Otherwise your lbs should have that gritty paste to improve the hold.