Boris Bajic
Guest
There's a thread elsewhere about the likelihood that a broken (integral) rear hanger will write off a whole carbon frame. There are other snippets here and there about carbon frames suffering terminal cracks of one kind or another. I hear similar things about alloy frames - although over a longer period.
I recall the advent of carbon boats in rowing (mid-70s) and the horror stories about two-year lifespans. It seems to have come to nothing.
But... as I look around the garage, I see that although we have not 'carbonised' as a cycling family, there are several pairs of carbon forks, a few seatposts and some carbon stays in the family fleet.
And there at the back is my ancient steel fixopholous fixed-gear fixie. Steel. Ancient. Good as new.
If ridden fairly regularly, what is the realistic lifespan of a carbon frame?
If dropped at speed, will any fractures or post-crash weaknesses in the carbon be visible?
My steel fixie has been straightened by cold press twice in its long life and still tracks like an arrow.
Will I be riding my nice alloy-carbon framed 2008 road bike in another five years? Ten years?
Are the days of this sort of longevity now gone?
I recall the advent of carbon boats in rowing (mid-70s) and the horror stories about two-year lifespans. It seems to have come to nothing.
But... as I look around the garage, I see that although we have not 'carbonised' as a cycling family, there are several pairs of carbon forks, a few seatposts and some carbon stays in the family fleet.
And there at the back is my ancient steel fixopholous fixed-gear fixie. Steel. Ancient. Good as new.
If ridden fairly regularly, what is the realistic lifespan of a carbon frame?
If dropped at speed, will any fractures or post-crash weaknesses in the carbon be visible?
My steel fixie has been straightened by cold press twice in its long life and still tracks like an arrow.
Will I be riding my nice alloy-carbon framed 2008 road bike in another five years? Ten years?
Are the days of this sort of longevity now gone?