Carbon seat post finish
Carbon seat post finish
Hi, I have recently bought a new bike, a boardman slr 9.4
This is my first carbon bike, on picking up the bike in store the seatpost on the bike looks worn and the finish does not look acceptable. Is this normal, any help would be appreciated.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qhT3mU86Yt7G4Lxc7
This is my first carbon bike, on picking up the bike in store the seatpost on the bike looks worn and the finish does not look acceptable. Is this normal, any help would be appreciated.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qhT3mU86Yt7G4Lxc7
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- Posts: 120
- Joined: 24 May 2010, 9:56pm
- Location: Leek, Staffordshire
Re: Carbon seat post finish
Halfords?
Have they used the bike as a test bike for others to try? The seapost does look like it's been inserted and pulled out hence the marks.
Have you asked them, what was their reply?
Have they used the bike as a test bike for others to try? The seapost does look like it's been inserted and pulled out hence the marks.
Have you asked them, what was their reply?
Re: Carbon seat post finish
They werent knowlegable, they tried to tell me.....
- it was carbon grease.
- it would clean off - but then they couldn't clean it.
- they then said it was ud carbon and that's what it looks like
but they admitted they'd never seen one of these bikes before. They don't give me much confidence. I'm only just starting to get into carbon bikes so have no experience. I checked with some friends who have carbon road bikes and none of their seat posts look like that.
The rest of the bike was mint so it may be normal but I can't be sure.
- it was carbon grease.
- it would clean off - but then they couldn't clean it.
- they then said it was ud carbon and that's what it looks like
but they admitted they'd never seen one of these bikes before. They don't give me much confidence. I'm only just starting to get into carbon bikes so have no experience. I checked with some friends who have carbon road bikes and none of their seat posts look like that.
The rest of the bike was mint so it may be normal but I can't be sure.
Re: Carbon seat post finish
Hard to tell from the photos but some of that does look very like the finish you can get on raw UD carbon - rather like black marble. Are there any definite scratces or side to side zig zag marks that indicate the seatpost has been inserted and then raised and lowered?
I have a Rose Xeon with a UD carbon frame with a matt unvarnished finish which as I say is very like marble in it's colour variations. I rather like the finish.
I have a Rose Xeon with a UD carbon frame with a matt unvarnished finish which as I say is very like marble in it's colour variations. I rather like the finish.
Re: Carbon seat post finish
that is what raw carbon looks like, there is nothing wrong with it. The arms on my Campag Super Record chainsets have similar striations albeit under a shiny lacquer.
the 'classic' cf mesh look is purely decorative and serves no function
the 'classic' cf mesh look is purely decorative and serves no function
Convention? what's that then?
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
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- Posts: 1924
- Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:39am
Re: Carbon seat post finish
A bit of an exaggeration. Carbon weave is still very strong stuff.
The seatpost pictured above looks ok to me.
Re: Carbon seat post finish
Never said it wasn't strong but adding it to a component just adds cost, its often used to wrap a metal core on cheaper parts, no one will question the weave finish right?alexnharvey wrote: ↑27 Nov 2022, 7:56pmA bit of an exaggeration. Carbon weave is still very strong stuff.
The seatpost pictured above looks ok to me.
Convention? what's that then?
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
Re: Carbon seat post finish
They're not scratches they almost look like markings under the lacquer...but the markings are not consistent and it looks odd. I think I'll put them under a bit more pressure to give me a better answer. I'll end up taking the bike in the end.
Re: Carbon seat post finish
Ask them to get you either a new seatpost for delivery later or a discount.
Is it the 2022 model, these have been around for a couple of years and it may be older stock
Is it the 2022 model, these have been around for a couple of years and it may be older stock
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- Posts: 1924
- Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:39am
Re: Carbon seat post finish
You've already had the answer here and from halfords: that's what unidirectional carbon looks like. What more explanation do you need? Stop wasting their time and your own.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/unidirec ... bon-fibre/
Last edited by alexnharvey on 28 Nov 2022, 8:22am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Carbon seat post finish
I'd ask for a 5% discount on what seems to be a 'demonstrator', no harm in asking!
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- Posts: 1924
- Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:39am
Re: Carbon seat post finish
I'd still ask for a 5% discount! Bike shops, IME will do anything to get rid of old stock.alexnharvey wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 8:20amExcept the bike is mint and the op is simply unaware of what the finish should look like.
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Re: Carbon seat post finish
That is normal for that type of carbon.
Re: Carbon seat post finish
I agree that the seat post has a raw unfinished functional look. I imagine a light application of shoe polish or car bumper black will improve the looks (for a while..). Out of interest - how is this particular post tightened into the frame?