An Amusement & Diversion for The Genteel Cyclist. Daily.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Silly bike geek argument #2,456,210


Over at VeloNews and Cyclelicious, they're arguing about whether carbon-fiber seatposts ought to be greased or not. The consensus seems to be that no grease should be used. But an "expert" named Craig Calfee says,

"I don't know where the myth started, but carbon composites are not affected by grease. Our advice is simple: If the seatpost fits tight, grease it. If it slips, de-grease it. As has been known for many years, when aluminum and carbon fiber contact each other, galvanic corrosion can start."


There is a simple and logical reason why Calfee is wrong, and you don't have to be a geek to see why: If you grease a carbon seatpost, you decrease the friction between it and the seattube, thereby requiring you to tighten the cuff bolt more--potentially more than is required without grease, and potentially over the line of safe torque. (Carbon fiber will break and splinter if tightened down too much, and you don't want carbon fibers up your, uh, chamois. Trust us on that one.)

The best solution of all, of course, is to stop being such a pathetic weight weenie. Try going on a diet to lose a few pounds on the waist, instead of obsessing over a few extra grams under your butt.

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