u/seb4096

Last season, I had my Domane SL for around a year before the rear isospeed thing started creaking (revision 4). I nipped the bolt up to somewhere between 5 and 6Nm (my torque wrench isn't precise to do it upto the 5.2Nm indicated) and all was well in the world again.

This year, after taking my bike out of storage and riding it it's creaking again. I checked the torque and it's still tight. I removed the saddle and tried cleaning the seatpost and the metal clamp in the isospeed with rubbing alcohol. I noticed they were both dry to begin with and pretty clean as it happens. I reinstalled the seat and torqued it up again. I also checked the torque of the saddle rail clamp but the creaking when in the saddle is still there.

As I say I noticed the seatpost and clamp were both dry. Could I try carbon assembly paste on the interfacing parts to see if this sorts the creak? I am mindful that Trek specifically don't mention about these parts being lubed/pasted up - presumably because the grease/paste could absorb into the seatpost and swell it up?

Tldr; torqued isospeed rev4 creaking when in the saddle. Seatpost/clamp interfaces are dry. Can I try assembly paste on the interfaces or is it not recommended to use on these parts

Thanks :)

I noticed this morning one of my bee houses seems to have a heavy infestation of ants. I see them removing mud from within the tubes and leaving it near the entrance. I am guessing they are stealing pollen and possibly the eggs and taking it back to their nest.

I have squished most of them but I am reluctant to use ant pesticide to stop the ants crawling up the wall incase it affects the bees and I suspect there will be more ants again tomorrow.

Is there anything I can do? Some sort of trap perhaps?