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Just had delivery of a C456 🙂
Never built a carbon frame before and wondering a few things...:
1. Grease? Does the headset need grease or not? Normally just apply a smidge on the inner but not sure. Bottom bracket? Normally bang as much grease on the threads and on the crank splines as I can get on there, but again not sure on this - hear things about grease not being wanted especially if it finds its way between the carbon and the alu shell?
2. Torque? Guessing bolts want 4-5nm and not much else? Not buying a torque wrench but finger tight and a bit extra?
3. Seat.. Can I shim a carbon frame? Ordered a cheap 31.6 seatpost anyway but have a 30.9 dropper post i'd like to use, I can't really find any shims for such a small gap but is this not ideal on carbon? Also - what about the seatclamp? Seatpost comes out each ride, in and out the car etc does repeated tightening/opening damage the frame? Should I do it a bit less tight than the usual and use a bit of carbon paste to help things out?
Any other things to bear in mind when playing with carbon? It already is a bit disconcerting how light and thin it is!
Thanks for any help.
1- The headtube has a metal "liner" - as in the carbon is built up around a metal headtube. Treat as usual.
2- Dunno - depends on the hex size really.
3- I seem to remember Brant says " so long as the shim is 4inches. Most aren't". Also, and I may be wrong (it's been known to happen), but the seatpost may also be metal lined.
The only thing I was nervous of tightening was the front derailleur. Worked out fine.
#Edit - Other things: the paint on mine is / was very easily scratched. It's all mud coloured now, but the scratches may bother you. Helitape if required.
USE do a 30.9 to 31.6 shim that's 100mm long. I think I bought mine from winstanleys.