Carbon bikes and accidents

[twozeronine]

I've always been put off from getting a carbon bike since I read that if you have an accident on one, then you pretty much have to write it off, because there might not be any visible damage, but internally it could be cracked, and you run the risk of it falling apart.

I'm just wondering if those concerns are at all justified?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

This might help answering your question.

 

[dellzeqq]

barefoot. The short answer to your question is no. Carbon bikes can survive crashes. It depends on the crash. And the bike. I crashed my C40 three times at least, and it didn't mind. The downtube was vandalised by a thief, exposing the weave and it shrugged it off. After some six years a lug cracked, but I'm not sure why - it wasn't a crash. Repairing it would have been pricey, so I got a new one.

Carbon can be repaired. You might, however, consider whether a lugged bike is more sensible than a monocoque.

 

[twozeronine]

Hmm, ok, thanks. Even though they can survive a crash, it seems like you'd have to go to some trouble to ascertain whether it's still safe to ride. Also, from reading that article it sounds like it requires quite a lot of attention/care.

I think I'll stick with alloy frames for now, since I'd probably only end up getting a carbon bike because they look nicer.

 

[ianrauk]

Hmm, ok, thanks. Even though they can survive a crash, it seems like you'd have to go to some trouble to ascertain whether it's still safe to ride. Also, from reading that article it sounds like it requires quite a lot of attention/care.

I think I'll stick with alloy frames for now, since I'd probably only end up getting a carbon bike because they look nicer.

At the end of the day any bike that has been in a crash should be checked out.

 

[twozeronine]

At the end of the day any bike that has been in a crash should be checked out.

True, but it's much easier to inspect an alloy frame.