Carbon, got nagging doubts, should I have?

[Salty seadog]

Hi all,
I've had a Whyte Montpellier sports hybrid on order for a couple of months now, due date should be in the next couple of weeks or so but I just have nagging doubts about putting all that cash (£1500) into a frame that I hear stories of it only taking the wrong sort of slight knock and you've done your money.
Logic dictates that it cannot be as bad as that or there would be heaps of carbon frames going to landfill but I just cannot rid myself of these doubts.

Please share your knowledge and experiences, what has happened if you've taken a tumble?

Many thanks,

ssd

 

[screenman]

Stop worrying, if you did knock it hard they are repairable in lots of cases.

If it is good enough for F1

 

[Salty seadog]

This is the girl and I hope you can see why I want her...

 

[ianrauk]

You are worrying over nothing. Carbon is way stronger then you can imagine.
Think pro-peleton bikes and to a higher extreme F1 cars and airliners.

My carbon jobbie I have had a couple of offs, I've ridden into a back of a stationary car (don't ask), it's been checked over by my lbs and not even a scratch.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

And I've ridden mine into an oncoming car (also don't ask). Car got scratched, not a mark on the bike.

 

[Salty seadog]

@ianrauk, I understand the strength of the material but only in the direction as dictated by the weave, I'm led to believe it can be quite fragile if hit "the wrong way" as it were.

Also I am told that not all damage is external and a failure can be being built up on the inside of the frame detectable only by x ray.

 

[fossyant]

Stop stressing.

 

[ianrauk]

@ianrauk, I understand the strength of the material but only in the direction as dictated by the weave, I'm led to believe it can be quite fragile if hit "the wrong way" as it were.

Also I am told that not all damage is external and a failure can be being built up on the inside of the frame detectable only by x ray.

As I said, and others. You are worrying over nothing.
I have damaged and Alu bike easier then a carbon one.

 

[400bhp]

Stop stressing.

That's what he's worried about.

 

[400bhp]

@ianrauk, I understand the strength of the material but only in the direction as dictated by the weave, I'm led to believe it can be quite fragile if hit "the wrong way" as it were.

Also I am told that not all damage is external and a failure can be being built up on the inside of the frame detectable only by x ray.

Yes it can.

Buy a bike out of another material because I believe you've already made up your mind.

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

And on the other side of the coin:

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

Didnt stop me buying 2 more carbon bikes though.

 

[400bhp]

Which proves what exactly?

Carbon bikes break.

 

[Cycling Dan]

You are worrying over nothing. Carbon is way stronger then you can imagine.
Think pro-peleton bikes and to a higher extreme F1 cars and airliners.

My carbon jobbie I have had a couple of offs, I've ridden into a back of a stationary car (don't ask), it's been checked over by my lbs and not even a scratch.

Correction- Aluminum

 

[fossyant]

Nice looking hybrid. Buy it.