Greasy seat post?
 

Hey all. I just got my bike and I realized how greasy the seatpost can be. Is this normal? Is this preventable? Thanks in advance.

It shouldn't be greasy

I can see why since it slides in when folded, but it's like super greasy. If it's not supposed to be greasy, how do you prevent it? I can clean it up but once it slides down and back out again, its greasy again.

No? I usually grease my seat posts.

Seatposts on non-folders are greased as a matter of course upon assembly. Keeps the seatpost from corrosion welding to the bike frame. On a folder, where the seatpost is moved every time the bike is ridden, not such a big deal and may even be a drawback because of the greasy mess.

Greasy seatpost is normal, but for a folder, you could clean it up to make things less messy.

If it's a metal frame with a metal seat post, then a light coating of grease where the post is inserted into the frame is a good thing. It keeps the post from sticking in the frame. If you have metal on metal, you might not be able to remove or adjust the seat post after a couple of years. However you don't need any grease on the exposed portion of the seat post. Just wipe it off with a rag.

If either the frame or seat post is carbon fiber, don't use grease on it. Get something CF specific like Tacx Carbon Prep.

No grease. It makes the post more likely to slip as you ride.

News to me... smh Or is this something folding-bike specific that I'm unaware of?

Grease is necessary for metal, especially dissimilar metals. It shouldn't be caked on, but there should be a coat.

To elaborate on what others have said, greasing a seatpost is common for metal frame/seatpost combinations (not carbon). The combination of aluminum and steel will suffer galvanic corrosion if not isolated with grease or anti-seize compound. Same-type combinations of metals are less of a concern, but regular corrosion can still lead to sticking. Of course, for folders it's probably not necessary in a lot of cases, since the seat post is often moved frequently as part of folding.

Agreed, but just a very thin film is sufficient. On a regular bike where the seat post is rarely moved it isn't a problem to have some excess grease inside the seat tube, but it does create an issue on folders where the post is moved often.

My Brompton has a Plastic bushing and the seat post is Chrome plated steel. It must be free of oil and any Grease ..

My Bike Friday ,the seat post is Hinged , the saddle stays at a fixed height, so It does get a tiny amount of grease between the steel and aluminum parts.

IDK about yours, since you did not say.

you assume people know too much ( or boss wont let you write more on the company Computer ,on their time)

I have a Novara Flyby, per my username. Apparently, its the same bike as a Tern Link or a Dahon Mu.

This is the bike: Novara FlyBy Folding Bike - 2015 at REI.com

If you can never get the seatpost to stop slipping Down that will be a hint.

Basically, everyone is saying to remove the grease. Thanks!

I never said it shouldn't be lubed,just that it shouldn't be greasy,someone over did it. I apply a light coating to all my folder's and my road bikes and clean off the excess,but nothing that he is describing,.{ "it's super greasy"**.There's a big difference between a light coating of lube to stop the post from seizing and make it slide easily.The same applies to proper firearm maintenence,a light touch is all that's required you create problems by using to much.

Greasy = good, super greasy = bad.

Have you a rag?