CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Check your carbon bits!

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Check your carbon bits! http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Check your carbon bits! en Thu, 21 May 2026 08:01:23 +0000 Smudge on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25968 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 18:41:35 +0000 Smudge 25968@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Apologies for my spelling lapse, it seems I've been writing too many stores instructions recently lol Yes, we should keep a weather eye on any safety critical load bearing parts, I would still maintain however that the reports of alloy failures these days seem to centre on extreme use or indeed misuse (this has not always been the case, some early designs seemed flawed), whereas some carbon failures appear to be without obvious overuse/misuse. Hence my suggestion that we pay a little more attention to these components. I'm sure we can agree to disagree however, and I will be delighted to have my suspicions proven groundless and to not hear of any premature failures of either carbon fibre or indeed other materials. Safe riding all, S druidh on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25956 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 11:55:15 +0000 druidh 25956@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Same as any other materiel(sic) in that way... So, we need a new thread called "Check your bits"?? (But then, don't we all?) Smudge on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25945 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 07:45:31 +0000 Smudge 25945@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Druidh, I take your point, when I rebuilt my (alloy framed) Giant OCR one of the first things I did was inspect the alloy frame closely for any sign of flex/cracking/damage. The niner video is a bit bizarre, of course neither of them catastrophocally fail, they're not under any load!! I seem to have come over all "anti" carbon here, that's not my intent, I have (as already mentioned) a carbon seatpost, my roadbike may well get carbon forks, however as I said, some parts appear to be failing, that doesn't mean other materiels don't/wont and it doesn't mean carbon is a bad materiel, I merely point out that maybe we should all keep an eye on our carbon components particularly when subjecting them to Edinburgh roads, partly because it's a relatively extreme use of roadbike components (though nothing I imagine compared to Paris Roubaix (sp?)), and partly because it's the current "wonder" materiel where manufacturers compete to produce the lightest. But mainly because it's no fun having to clean blood off your mates and take them to hospitals. Or in short, carbon still = light and light = good, but if you have safety critical components made of it then please have a think about their age/use/condition and keep an eye on them. Same as any other materiel in that way... recombodna on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25941 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 01:22:32 +0000 recombodna 25941@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I've had a steel mountain bike stem break on me years ago. Luckily I was going slowly uphill ay the time. Not sure what that niner video is trying prove......the guy says they don't recommend riding the fork after that much damage.. OK they don't catastrophically fail but neither do the steel forks. druidh on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25939 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:49:04 +0000 druidh 25939@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Here's a set of Pace RC31 carbon forks which have snapped - at the alloy steerer :-) <img src="http://chestermtb.co.uk/forum/uploads/1212515439/gallery_258_14_35620.jpg"> druidh on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25938 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:47:17 +0000 druidh 25938@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_O9PLorYPA" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_O9PLorYPA</a> The only component I've ever had break on me while riding was an aluminium seatpost. Very unpleasant as the big sharp. sticky-out end that was left missed my gonads by a few centimetres. Trust me - I could easily spend the next 48 hours putting up images of broken steel and aluminium components. Smudge on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25932 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:02:52 +0000 Smudge 25932@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Indeed, and bikes have improved enormously over recent years, I just wonder if some of them are getting just a little *too* light for road use, or maybe I'm just getting old and cautious lol Destruction testing would be interesting, but I suspect unpopular with some of the providers of kit for test(!) mind you, it is done in the motorcycling press (eg ride magazine) when testing protective clothing, so it's possible if the will is there. kaputnik on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25930 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:58:46 +0000 kaputnik 25930@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Smudge - everything I read in "road" cycling magazines bangs on about how light components are. I don't recall ever reading one where they test the things to destruction and see at what expense that lightness comes at! Smudge on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25927 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:45:29 +0000 Smudge 25927@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Hmmm, it's well and good saying that race bikes are fit for purpose if they fall apart once they cross the line (and for the record I think it was Colin Chapman who came out with that long long before top gear ;-)), however most "race" bikes are not kept in perfect conditions and only used for a seasons racing before being replaced, they are used for training, commuting and all sorts of other uses, and if the bike, or parts of it is/are likely to have a catastrophic failure then imho they are not fit for purpose, not unless it's going to be sold with a time/mileage limit after which the manufacturer says it cannot be trusted. I know carbon *can* be built strong enough, but it's always a trade off between strength and weight, even when the materiel is very light, magazine reviewers judge on grammes regardless of whether it actually matters to most riders and that affects sales.. What concerns me is the number of really scary failures a quick websearch reveals, I cannot believe that all those riders were misusing their bikes, and given the state of the average british road, what counts as isusing anyway? Anecdotal (and therefore unreliable) evidence suggests that a number of manufacturers are erring on the side of too light/weak, and that risks them, and carbon parts by association being tarred with the same brush that Mr Chapman used to suffer, namely that they are prepared to put light weight/speed before the safety of the driver/rider. I appreciate that the majority are fine, and that some weight weenies are their own worst enemies, but it is nonetheless a concern. Whilst alloy can, and sometimes does fail catastrophically, google "alloy steerer failure" and the first page of results are 90% about carbon failures, there is a problem, and whether it's parts or users it's a problem that is injuring people :-/ (and I suspect carbon shorts could chafe, mind you, probably more flattering than lycra ;-)) ruggtomcat on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25926 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:22:38 +0000 ruggtomcat 25926@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ another good reasn to shave the leggies. Carbon shorts could be pretty aero tho... kaputnik on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25924 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:21:08 +0000 kaputnik 25924@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Sleek! Where do they fit on the "Dress Code" thread? under "painful" PS on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25923 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:20:03 +0000 PS 25923@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <blockquote>Awesome! Look forward to my carbon tyres and shorts. </blockquote> Sleek! Where do they fit on the "Dress Code" thread? kaputnik on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25922 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:16:51 +0000 kaputnik 25922@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ The bike industry is moving towards it so much it will be very hard to buy anything not carbon in a few years time Awesome! Look forward to my carbon tyres and shorts. druidh on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25919 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:12:51 +0000 druidh 25919@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Not all carbon is created equal. It's a simple enough job to make carbon strong if that's the #1 priority. thebikechain on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25918 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:06:49 +0000 thebikechain 25918@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Probably worth adding that there are good and bad examples of all materials used. thebikechain on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25917 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:03:14 +0000 thebikechain 25917@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ There is so much mis information about carbon. It is no worse or weak than metal. In most new products the carbon versions are lighter and stronger than the metal alternative so much so that the Santa Cruz blur lt frame is the strongest frame they have made. It's carbon. Easton carbon bars are warrantied longer than alloy as they are so strong. The bike industry is moving towards it so much it will be very hard to buy anything not carbon in a few years time. From experience of what we see in the workshop alloy can be a lot worse when it breaks. It really really goes when it goes. Personally I wouldn't consider anything but carbon now for my mtb. It's ace. Dave on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25916 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:02:33 +0000 Dave 25916@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ The only fork I've ever had fail was steel. Make of that what you will! wee folding bike on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25915 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:47:03 +0000 wee folding bike 25915@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I remember watching an F1 car on Top Gear and one of the things they said was that the perfect F1 car should fall apart after it crossed the line. The idea is that everything should be just good enough to do that, if it lasts longer then it wasn't trying hard enough. kaputnik on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25900 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:01:15 +0000 kaputnik 25900@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ depends what the purpose is though. For road bike components, designed and manufactured with light weight in mind over durability, I wouldn't personally say the sort of pounding a bike can take commuting was the purpose they had in mind. Others may disagree... My road bike has a carbon seat post and fork. They are fit for purpose in that they are light weight but soak up vibration better than aluminium would. Their purpose is to be lighter and more comfortable than aluminium and cheaper than Ti! chdot on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25899 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:39:07 +0000 chdot 25899@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "When carbon "goes" it "goes". " The phrase "not fit for purpose" comes to mind. wee folding bike on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25898 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:38:47 +0000 wee folding bike 25898@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Steel is real. kaputnik on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25897 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:32:28 +0000 kaputnik 25897@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ When carbon "goes" it "goes". splitshift on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25887 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:08:37 +0000 splitshift 25887@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ few years ago, I bent my solid steel front forks,replaced, greased and tightened correctly ? Travelling new trails at David Marshal Lodge at high speed fork upper tube failed, overtightened or something had cut through tube, endover into scenery,much uncaring laughter from mates, long drag home. steveo on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25884 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:59:27 +0000 steveo 25884@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I had a similar thought a few months ago and got rid of my carbon seat post, though my forks match my bike and they're too pretty to get rid off.... Smudge on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25882 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:51:26 +0000 Smudge 25882@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <a href="http://www.bustedcarbon.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.bustedcarbon.com/</a> I could really go off carbon parts.. (shudder) Now eyeing my carbon seatpost nervously! lol Smudge on "Check your carbon bits!" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2434#post-25880 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:29:32 +0000 Smudge 25880@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Bit of a bad cycling day today, a friend stopped by the office on his roadbike, then 5 minutes after leaving was brought back by a concerned (but very nice and helpful!)van driver. As I'm the workplace first aider I got to deal with him and as the workplace cyclist(!) also his bike.. turns out he'd started to turn at a junction only to have his carbon steerer tube snap causing him to faceplant in front of the van. More than a little bit scary! He seems essentially ok, (though a scraped face and very shaken, and I sent him to hospital to get his wrist x-rayed) but it's a sober reminder that load bearing carbon has a finite life when exposed to the delightful road surfaces we ride on :-/ To further improve my day I got a flat on the way home... I am now attempting to avoid sharp/dangerous things until the third bit of luck has passed!!