A customer in our shop yesterday said he never greases his seatpost

He's a local bike messenger who rides a steel frame fixed gear, and he said 'If it ain't stuck, it ain't locked.' I've always been a firm believer in a light coat of grease to prevent corrosion. But he argued that in a city with salt and rain, a dry fit actually lets the post 'breathe' and avoids trapping moisture against the metal. It made me pause, because I've seen some truly seized posts from people who didn't use anything. Has anyone else heard this or have a take on dry vs. greased seatposts for year-round commuters?

2 comments

2 Comments

river_wright3d ago

Ever think a dry post was just asking for trouble? I used to grease mine every time, no question. But after seeing how a thin layer of carbon paste on my aluminum post just held water and made a mess, I get his point. Now I use a really light anti-seize and wipe off any extra so it's barely there. Seems to keep things moving without sealing in the bad stuff.

the_sage3d ago

Whoa, that "breathe" idea is actually kind of wild. I get the logic, like grease could trap salty water in there like a little metal sandwich. But man, I've had to deal with a totally frozen seatpost before and it was a nightmare. We're talking heat, penetrating oil, the whole sad song. Maybe the trick is using a super light anti-seize paste instead of thick grease? Something that keeps metal apart but doesn't seal things up completely. That messenger is playing a risky game.