As long as anythig else if not crashed or abused. A 'long time' is a bit vague.Originally posted by beckirk
I am shopping around for a new bike and really like the carbon frames, but I plan to keep the bike for a long time. I was wondering what kind of lifespan today's carbon frames have.
TIA
Kirk
Originally posted by boudreaux
As long as anythig else if not crashed or abused. A 'long time' is a bit vague.
Originally posted by beckirk
I am shopping around for a new bike and really like the carbon frames, but I plan to keep the bike for a long time. I was wondering what kind of lifespan today's carbon frames have.
TIA
Kirk
CF main tubes.Originally posted by turbo6bar
Kirk, The Trek 2100 has aluminum main tubes with aluminum lugs.
Regards,
Jurgen
Stastically and scientifically bankrupt.
I'm the second owner of a 1998 Trek 5500 CF that is still as sound as the day it left the factory. There ae plenty of much older ones around. CF is probably more susciptible to impact damage than some other materials.Originally posted by beckirk
I should have been more specific. I plan on keeping the bike for something like 7-10 years unless I win the lottery of course! Is crashing an issue with the carbon? I guess the right crash can destroy any frame but is the carbon more susceptible to damage?
Originally posted by boudreaux
Stastically and scientifically bankrupt.
Some makers may test theirs. Others just put them out for 'market test'. Failures tend to be in defects in material or fabrication rather than failure from type of material. Materials engineering is not exctly new science,and everything use to be overbuilt. If one wants a superlight frame of any material,they should not also be ragging on durability.Originally posted by dhk
OK, so much for science. I know the trial and error system has worked well over the last 100 years of frame evolution. But, as the mass-market 2.5 lb frames are now here, my guess is all the major mfg's are doing some tests like this....probably a lot more extensive.
Dan
Got that right!Originally posted by boudreaux
Some makers may test theirs. Others just put them out for 'market test'. Failures tend to be in defects in material or fabrication rather than failure from type of material. Materials engineering is not exctly new science,and everything use to be overbuilt. If one wants a superlight frame of any material,they should not also be ragging on durability.
-----Originally posted by dhk
Concerning fatigue life, the only testing I've seen is the German "Otto" test, which relates frame life to a number of cycles at a certain load. The idea is to simulate standing climbing or sprinting, which is really the only time you're stressing the frame.
The frames that pass 100K or 200K cycles at an increasing load are awarded a certification for a certain level of use, ie, touring, road sport or full-on race use. You can check it out at:
http://damonrinard.com/EFBe/frame_fatigue_test.htm
Dan
Originally posted by CannondaleRider
-----
That was a very interesting read, I'd love to see how the CAAD7 fairs...Got a feeling it would bomb out though...
C'Rider
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