Are Carbon Frame Bikes Worth it?

[mick1836]

Since visiting this forum I have read no end of posting my members asking about chips on their carbon frames only to be told "dump it?" then I've seen numerous pictures of broken frames and just on Face books Bike Bible group carbon fibre frame owners are asking and been advised NOT to use a turbo trainer as some manufactures won't accept any warranty claims.

Seams like carbon frames are a lot of £££££££ and even more worry?

 

[Drago]

Plenty of broken frames out there made from other stuff.

 

[Grant Fondo]

even my 1995 'Crackendale' MTB isn't cracked yet, and I have tried my best over the years!

I just got a new carbon road bike and want to use on TT, whats the problem?

 

[ianrauk]

Don't believe all what you read on the internet.

Carbon frames are far tougher then you can imagine.
The Pro-Peleton seem to think so and the millions of other everyday Carbon frame bike riders out there doing millions of miles with no problems.

Chips are part and parcel of a bike, whether it's Carbon, Alu, Steel. If it's painted then it will chip.

Stop worrying about it and go buy Carbon if you really want one.

 

[doog]

No worries as far as Im concerned..my carbon frame appears more robust than my aluminium CAAD10 that dents as soon as you breathe on it..

 

[Globalti]

If traditional steel and alloy are so good, where are all the old frames?

They're hanging up in people's sheds where they have been quietly retired when the owners got carbon bikes.

Carbon is massively strong structurally but weak on point impacts, same as lightweight steel or any thin-walled hollow structure. Look how strong an egg shell is if you stress it evenly and how weak if you tap it with a knife blade.

 

[vickster]

If traditional steel and alloy are so good, where are all the old frames?

They're hanging up in people's sheds where they have been quietly retired when the owners got carbon bikes.

Living with @biggs682

My carbon bike has the odd chip to the paintwork, no effect on its function

 

[Soltydog]

I had another cyclist run into the back of me on my carbon bike at the beginning of the year & was very worried at the time. Big scuff on the rear stay & that was it, so shows carbon is stronger & more robust than some horror stories would have you believe, although it did develop a crack in the down tube early summer It was by a cable entry & possibly a weak point, but the frame was replaced by Planet X under warranty, so no major issue. I'm pretty much right on the 100kg rider weight limit though & that may be another factor??

 

[ayceejay]

Carbon fiber -- sometimes known as graphite fiber -- is a strong, stiff, lightweight material that has the potential to replace steel and is popularly used in specialized, high-performance products like aircrafts, racecars and sporting equipment

 

[MikeW-71]

Yes, they are worth it.

It's a brilliant material to use for this sort of application, stronger than steel, but lighter. It also doesn't rust. They will tend to be more expensive, because they are all hand-made, but it does not have to break the bank, they come in at very reasonable price points now.

The only downside is that when it does fail (a heavy crash or, say, dropping a hammer on the top tube), it snaps, whereas steel and alloy will bend. The frame is knackered in both cases, but you could probably limp home on the metal frames and you wouldn't be riding anywhere on the carbon. It has to be said though that the failure point of carbon is usually much higher than steel and alloy anyway. You're not gonna trash a carbon frame from having a clipless moment.

I've owned one 3 years now with no issue whatsoever, I love it!

 

[biggs682]

Living with @biggs682

My carbon bike has the odd chip to the paintwork, no effect on its function

@vickster there are a few but always room for some more

No alloy or carbon ones

 

[Grant Fondo]

this one is worth it...
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/46...da-s-4-racing-road-bike-2015-black-white.aspx

cheap way into a carbon frame at £799

 

[T4tomo]

Carbon is massively strong structurally but weak on point impacts, same as lightweight steel or any thin-walled hollow structure. Look how strong an egg shell is if you stress it evenly and how weak if you tap it with a knife blade.

So is there massive yolk in my bottom bracket housing just waiting to be released?

 

[si_c]

So is there massive yolk in my bottom bracket housing just waiting to be released?

Only one way to find out...

 

[Apollonius]

Carbon fibre is just a frame material. Steel, alloy and titanium are likewise frame materials. How that material is used and the geometry of the bikes made from all frame materials varies greatly. Just because something is made of carbon fibre does not make it good, nor bad come to that. A good bike is a good bike, whatever it is made of. Sadly, you can usually tell the good ones from the less good by looking at the price ticket. You get what you pay for, in cycling as in most things.