When can I use carbon?

[Sam Kennedy]

I got my first carbon bike right before winter started, so I've been dying to get out on it all through winter. When will be a safe time to take it out on the roads, without having to worry about unnecessary wear?

 

[Norm]

About 1 second after you received it.

 

[ianrauk]

You can ride a carbon bike in any weather. I do.
No need to be so precious about it.

Wipe it down after any wet weather riding and it will be fine.
The only wear you will get will be from the components.

 

[Panter]

Carbon should be a lot less suceptible to wear from the elements that alloy or steel I would have thought?


Saying that, my carbon bike won't come out until the roads are warm and dry and clean enough to eat your dinner off...

 

[johnnyh]

it's a bike, ride it

 

[Shadow]

Right now! What are you waiting for?!!

 

[jig-sore]

come on guys, stop messing him around... everyone knows you can't ride carbon bikes in April. some thing about the alignment of the planets reacting with the carbon

Sam, it will be fine as long as you don't ride it in April

 

[fossyant]

Hold on, carbon melts over 15c.

 

[addictfreak]

Sam I have carbon and aluminium. I choose to keep my carbon for the dry summer days, not because its more likely to wear in the winter but simply because its my choice.

My carbon bike cost me a lot of money and I may never spend that much again, so I like to make sure its pampered. But as the others say theres absolutely no probelms riding it in the winter.

And of course im too lazy to clean a bike after every ride! So I dont mind the old winter ride getting dirty.

Everytime I go into my garage I stare at my carbon steed and dream of summer days, not too long now.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

The carbon forks on my winter hack are on their fifth season and they haven't melted or exploded yet.

 

[Garz]

Jig-sore, you should know that due to the weather hitting early this winter the lunar pull is out of sync which equates to the Carbon not being usable in the month of February this year.

 

[Jezston]

The whole thing about carbon being delicate and fragile with a short life is a myth often bandied about and no matter how often is pointed out to be bollocks still seems to pervade the public conciousness.

I have a friend who has a REALLY early carbon frame - carbon rods glued into titanium lugs rather than the modern monocoque designs. The carbon is still in perfect condition - although the glued lugged concept has fortunately moved on as the the tubing occasionally comes free of the lugs!

 

[MacB]

it's a plastic bike you can use it whenever you like

 

[threebikesmcginty]

and when you've finished with it simply pop it in the recyling bin

 

[GrasB]

About 1 second after you received it.

+1... If this is your best bike basically avoid wet days to minimise the amount of 'grinding paste' produced by mud & lubricants.