It does depend on how much grease was used and the "thickness" of it when the bike was assembled. Despite what a lot of people seem to think, there is no need to pack a whole wallop of grease into bearings on a bike.

Anyway, it's also normal for the lubricant to seep out of the soap carrier that forms grease's bulk. You will see it around the outer ends of hubs after a while when dirt and grit will settle on it. I can see it on several of our bikes that are being used a LOT at the moment, and they have factory greased Ultegra hubs.

I'd just wipe the area clean for now and consider your lower headset bearing to be reasonably well greased.

Is that Strava, Garmin or proper topographical map elevation?

Cheers. It started leaking basically as soon as it left the builder's shop, so I assumed there was nothing wrong. Still, now I'm all paranoid.

Have you ever ridden out to Shady Maple? Great riding, and an allegedly good all you can eat Buffet.

I wouldn't worry unless there's rust mixed in with the grease. That's my telltale that my headset bearings lost their battle with water/sweat.

Hey [MENTION=185471]WhyFi[/MENTION] how was the riding in my neck of the woods?

It's violent. Like a shark feeding frenzy, but with smiles.

I just checked my club website. There are 9 rides tomorrow. How cool is that?!?

I got that from Strava.

The ESRI Topo map has us between 6260' and 6280', so Strava is at least pretty close.

Very cool. Are they going to pay taxes or a $25 fee to ride on the road? Do they take over the entire road and refuse to share the road with other vehicles?

Sorry, just reading over that dumb thread, idiocy. Great to hear your club is so active.

That's what it's like at breakfast time prior to a 65 mile ride?

I've known headset bearings to turn to dust before malfunctioning. [MENTION=406877]PepeM[/MENTION], I would be inclined to ride it, with a little fiddling, but I'm mechanically inclined. What I would look for are cracks, either in the paint, or the aluminum. If the tube is cracked, that would be a no go. If Trek had already turned you down, you could shim with JB Weld or something. But that would void whatever warranty there is on it.

Think I'll try the warranty stuff first. If that's a no go, then I'll see what can be done. Or just ride it like that until it asplodes.

If it doesn't kill you instantly how bad can it be? If you can walk out you'll be fine.

Plot twist- your club has 9 members and they hate each other.

You think that's long? You must be new here.

Were there any deaths?

I've had several bikes leak grease over the years. My Propel does it. I wipe it off frequently. I do admit to over greasing, though.

Soap is the thickener for petroleum solvents to make them into grease. I can see liquid petroleum separating out.

Race ready (I hope):

http://i.imgur.com/TAvkKeA.jpg

I really need a better camera (and a better apartment.)

Maybe.

Builds character.

Just borrow a garage door.

And have a great race...

No garages around here, would need to ride to the fancy part of town.

Thanks. :)

Borrow pcad's garage.