Should you grease a stem?

Just popping some new bars and a stem on, and it made me think should I grease where the stem clamps onto the steerer tube and handlebars?

sounds dumb, i know, but can't really think of a reason to or not to.

Do it unless it's carbon.

If you're talking about an aheadset (not a quill) then no. Unless you want want of those circus bikes where your wheel goes in a different direction to the handlebars.
A quill stem going in a steel steerer should be greased a little though.

...or maybe you should :-)

Simple rule:

Grease anything where metal comes into contact with metal.
Except the chain that you lube.

So yes, grease it. If you don't grease it, it will bond and you risk never being able to take it off.

i took my quill stem out yesterday, the grease had turned a sort of oxidised colour. gave it a good buffing, regreased the pole, slipped it back in the shaft. sweet.

cheers guys

Do it unless it's carbon.

+1

Grease, unless it is carbon where it is best to use assembly paste.

i took my quill stem out yesterday ... gave it a good buffing, regreased the pole, slipped it back in the shaft. sweet.

This is a family website dammit!

(And for my next joke...)

Grease anything where metal comes into contact with metal

If you're talking about an aheadset (not a quill) then no. Unless you want want of those circus bikes where your wheel goes in a different direction to the handlebars.

Hello April 2008.

So, do grease the headset (by which I mean race/grease/notched washer/grease/locknut)? Or not?

I have already, but am prepared to clean it up.

So, do [I] grease the headset (by which I mean race/grease/notched washer/grease/locknut)? Or not?

Yes.

i have always greased the bearings, crown race, cups, washers, stem, ney problems yet.

£2000 bill tomorrow when i faceplant.

Use copper slip or other anti-seize type paste. You don't need a lubricant as such - just something to keep the two parts from reacting with each other. Grease will work but from a potential face plant point of view I go with anti seize paste.

I've never had a face plant yet....

I have some simple rules for these things.

Things I want to move - grease
Stationary metal contact points - anti-sieze
Stationary carbon contact points - carbon installation paste
Spoke threads - Spoke prep
Cable inners - grease thinned with teflon spray lube

I'll admitt to having a few OCDs. But there's no point lusting after high end gear, if you dont fully exploit the gear you have IMHO.

NOTE: DO NOT LUBRICATE INSIDE STEM OR ON STEERING COLUMN SURFACE.

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