Questions tagged [carbon]
Frames or components made from carbon fiber, possibly even about carbon accessories.
293
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Why is carbon fiber inherently weak? Or is it?
This question got me to thinking: If it were possible for me to use a carbon frame, I would, but the expense and my riding style keep me using steel and aluminum. (I like hauling stuff on racks and I'...
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Carbon bikes make me nervous. Can you ease the tension?
Is it only me, or do Carbon bikes make others nervous!
I realize that carbon fibre is strong, but for some reason, having a bike that isn't made out of metal seems like asking for trouble.
My main ...
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Road bike carbon fiber frame life span
I have read in several places that the carbon fiber has a shorter life span than the aluminium, and i was wondering just what would it be.
I am not referring to accident related failures of the frame....
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Why can't a child bike seat be mounted on a carbon frame?
I have bought a BoBike junior bike seat for the rear of my bike which is a Cargo bike but the seat instruction says it can’t be mounted on carbon frames, baffles me as to why?
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What do I do when I am unsure if damaged carbon fiber is safe to use or needs replacing or repairing?
Intended as a canonical answer to the many questions we have about damage to carbon parts.
It is well known that carbon fiber parts can be damaged and fail, and carbon parts can be fragile when ...
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Difference between UD, 3K and 12K carbon finish?
What does UD, 3K, 12K carbon mean and how do they differ?
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Should I grease a carbon fiber seat post?
I was reading a recent question when I saw this answer:
You should absolutely grease your
seatpost (unless it is carbon fiber).
Why should I NOT grease a carbon fiber seat post?
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How does stiffness in carbon frames increase speed?
I have a Specialized Roubaix with a 7r carbon frame; the Tarmac has 11r. Will I notice a speed change if I ride "exactly" under the same conditions? Does the additional 4r = more speed? I am thinking ...
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Should I avoid sitting on top tube on my carbon bike?
In another bicycle discussion forum I encountered a thread about possibility to damage carbon frame by sitting on top tube while stopped.
I see some sense in it, as generally tube walls are a lot ...
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Felt carbon steerer compression plug removal
How do I remove a compression plug (aka. expander bung) like this one?
Most guides I could find assume that there's a 6mm hex Allen opening that allows tightening/loosening the plug (example pictured ...
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3
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Why do bikes have carbon forks?
I have noticed many bikes for sale that are made of mostly one material, such as aluminum, except for the fork which is carbon. I know carbon is very expensive so the manufacturer must be trying to ...
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Why would a bike feature a "carbon wrapped aluminum frame"?
I saw a link to what appeared to be a Carbon bike on amazon. The price was extremely lower than any carbon bike I had ever seen. After reading a bit, it seems that the bike frame is really made of "...
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Metal seat post with carbon fiber frame?
Is using a metal seat post on a carbon fiber frame advisable or not? I want to use a seat post mounted rack on my road bike (no regular rack mount points are on this bike), but I have been told that ...
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4
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Do I need to apply something on thru axle?
I've just bought my first carbon frame roadbike and realised that it has thru axle (previously I had quick release). Before I would do anything stupid, could someone give me advice if I should apply ...
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I'm not sure if a torque wrench was used in assembling my carbon bike
I was given a brand new carbon mountain bike by my uncle, he assembled it himself about 18 days ago. My problem is that I am not sure if he used a torque wrench when he assembled the bike.
I would ...
- 121
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1
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Little "holes" on carbon rims' profile: what are they used for?
I have mounted a new set of carbon rims on my bike. To be precise, it's a pair of Mavic Cosmic SL. And I've noticed that they have some little "holes" along the profile.
What are they used ...
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6
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What are the pros and cons between an aluminium and carbon frame?
I'm after a mountain bike and I've narrowed it down to the Cannondale F29 (based on reviews, plus I like the look of the bike).
My question is, should I go for the carbon bike or the alloy bike? I'm ...
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2
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Crack in fork or just paint
Yesterday I saw something like a crack in the carbon fork of my roadbike. Now I don't have any clue if this is a really a crack or just the paint.
Maybe someone can help me or tell me how to find out. ...
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What are these mounts for on inside edge of carbon fiber fork?
I just got a new Tommaso Sterrata.
I commute during the winter so I'm looking to put fenders on. I know I can get fenders that clip onto the fork instead of being mounted, but while inspecting the ...
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3
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Attaching a stem to a carbon steerer: how much torque?
So I decided to travel with my bike this week and to my surprise discovered that the steerer is carbon fiber. I had removed the stem from the steerer for packing but naively assumed it was aluminum ...
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Why do some road bikes cost more than motorbikes? Are they grossly overpriced? [closed]
I have seen quite some carbon fiber bikes that cost upwards of $4000. Why do these bikes cost so much when one can get a very good motorbike for $3000?
A motorbike comes equipped with several ...
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Does carbon fiber not have a fatigue life?
I’ve heard carbon fiber “has no fatigue life”, meaning it doesn’t weaken from (intended) use, as long as it is free of defects and damage.
But there are a lot of different types of carbon fiber…
I was ...
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Older Carbon Bike Safety
I have an older Trek 2100 that has carbon fiber tubes with aluminum stays (The frame is used early 90's 2100/2150/2200/2300 road bikes)
After a recent accident with a car (going down hill, guy pulls ...
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Does anyone sell a direct-drive recumbent with no handlebars?
This document well describes the benefits of a direct-drive recumbent. Is there any carbon-frame recumbent, commercially available, that implements all its recommendations.
And what are the pros and ...
- 295
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2
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Are these abrasions problematic in a carbon fork dropout?
Got my first road bike with a carbon fork and when installing the front wheel the skewer slipped a little. Now I got some shiny surface lines there on the carbon surface. I wouldn't even call it ...
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How to tell if a carbon frame is damaged or if the paint just has stress cracks
I am looking at a carbon framed road bikethat has me concerned.On the topside of the bottom bracket,drive side there is a very small hairline crack in the paint.The seller states that it has been ...
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3
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Can a carbon fiber mountain bike handle cool/cold weather?
It is late summer in the US and I am starting to look forward to autumn and winter mountain biking. I have a carbon fiber frame though. Didn't get to ride it last winter due to a broken collar bone (...
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Carbon fiber frames and household heating/radiators: how close is too close?
I have a carbon fiber Giant Revolt that I keep in the hallway of my apartment, near the door. Opposite from where it's stored -- about 2.5-3 feet away, or one hallway width -- there is a hot-water ...
- 1,051
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Are these shallow gouges and imperfections on a new carbon fork steerer benign or serious?
I have never had a carbon component on any of my bikes, so I have no idea what sorts of imperfections are perfectly normal minor blemishes that pose no risk. I'm building the bike for a family member ...
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Benefits of newer racer bikes over older ones?
10 Years ago, when I was 14, I got my first road bike. It costed around 1000 € (~1350$), and I have been using it every year. I have cycled at least 1.000 km every season.
Now, I have started to ask ...
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Is it necessary to reinforce a carbon fiber steer tube?
There seems to a belief circulating online that carbon fiber steer tubes need to be reinforced with the compression plug specifically underneath the clamp points of the stem. If this is true, why isn'...
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7
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Is it worth buying carbon fiber road bike for short commutes?
I'm planning to use a bike for rather short commutes (max half an hour), will the carbon fiber be noticeably more comfortable than aluminium one?
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Do carbon MTB frames crack easily?
I have been looking to buy a new full sus mtb (Vitus sommet 29 Cr) and saw that the main frame is carbon fibre with the rear triangle being aluminium. I love the bikes specs and aesthetics but can't ...
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Frame dropout cracked, what can I do? (Allied Alfa Disc / carbon)
The frame thru axel hole/dropout cracked while using my wahoo kickr trainer.
Is this crack dangerous?
If it is, what can I do?
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What's the difference between more or less expensive carbon wheels?
I've got a gravel bike, and since I sometimes take it on road rides, I am thinking about getting a set of carbon wheels with road tires to swap out with the knobby tires I already have which work ...
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carbon vs aluminium frame vibration absorption? bumpiness?
is there any data/measurements of any aluminium road bikes vs carbon road bikes wrt to vibration. it is widely stated that carbon is a smoother ride, but the best i can find out on the subject is ...
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Do Carbon Wheels Stay True Longer Than Aluminum Wheels?
Does a race quality carbon wheel set stay true longer than an aluminum one (with equal abuse/mileage) ?
It seems like the properties of carbon would resist flat spots and warping better than ...
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Putting a front Derailleur on a carbon frame
Do you put anything under the clamp on the carbon to protect it? In the past I've tightened brakes on MTB handle bars to much and wrecked them so I'm wondering.
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Installing a lock mount on a carbon fiber frame
Let's ignore the question, for a moment, of should I install a lock mount on my new TCR Advanced. But assume that I want to.
Given that the frame is carbon fiber, should I be worried about the ...
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brakes for carbon rims
I'm considering switching from alloy to carbon wheels - just a question regarding that & brakes. Would I need different pad materials from the standard sort of pad material (or even a whole ...
- 1,087
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Do bikes with carbon frame get detected by induction loops?
Induction loops in my experience usually manage to detect bicycles with steel and aluminium frames. Do carbon frames also get detected? I'm wondering if a possible inability to trigger induction loops ...
- 1,023
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Damping effects of carbon forks
Around where I live the common wisdom is that on a road, gravel or similar bike, a carbon fork will cushion some of the vibration more than a metal fork.
On some web discussion forums I see that ...
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What's the best way to stow (winter storage) an all-carbon bike?
As the number of bikes in the house grows, storage becomes more of a problem. I have some hooks that I hang my touring bike and the gravel bike on (hanging from the front rim), but they both have ...
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Can I put a rack on a carbon road bike?
I got a carbon-framed Kestrel Talon Road Bike recently but I also want to use it for commuting to and from work and I want a place to put my lock and other stuff on the bike. Is it possible to have a ...
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Is it safe to ride the carbon bike with a small crack on the bottom of the chain stay? Looks cosmetic but fails the tap test
The chainstay cracked after air travel.
Update:
I have brought the frame to a carbon repair shop for repair. The cost would be 500ish, including the touch-up paint.
Tips for future flight travelers:
...
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Cycled through pothole on carbon frame - damaged?
Yesterday while out on my daily exercise (I live in London) I had to cycle through a pothole (bus too close behind so couldn't swerve or stop) that jolted the whole bike. I then noticed a rattling ...
7
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4
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Weird discolouration of carbon frame
I bought a used BMC Granfondo 01 which has a carbon frame.
The frame is solid (no chips or cracks), but it's full of weird discolouration. It looks like there were be stickers in the places where ...
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Safest way to carry luggage on my carbon frame?
I'm planning a 5 day trip on my Trek Madone 4.5. We are planning on staying motels so don't need to carry camping equipment. I need to find some type of rack that is compatible with my carbon frame - ...
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Scratch or Crack?
I'm curious on opinions if this is a crack or a scratch. No crashes. No drops. Yes creaking.
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Carbon Wheel Heat Bending
After riding about 800m downhill, I got this:
BTW, this is TriAce Wheelset for Dahon Mu Ex 2014. Do you think this is safe to ride? Can I repair this?
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