Good day Gents (and Ladies)
I am coming back into road biking after many years' lay-off (raising kids, resettling from South Africa to Canada etc etc).
I have bought an old CF road bike - a Specialized Allez Elite - dating back to the early nineties. Judging from the condition of the bike, I'd say it was either very well looked after or hardly ever used.
I have put about 160 kilometers (100 miles) on the bike, and it feels absolutely fine, no weird noises or any obvious sign that the CF or lug joints are about to fail. It feels solid and far more responsive than my old steel Peugeout used to feel years ago.
(Mostly original components, but new wheels and tyres).
What is your opinion on the safety factor of old CF frames? I keep on hearing horrible stories of "Spontaneous break-up" and resulting bodily harm etc etc.
All opinions welcome - thanks in advance!
-- Jan in BC, Canada
I am coming back into road biking after many years' lay-off (raising kids, resettling from South Africa to Canada etc etc).
I have bought an old CF road bike - a Specialized Allez Elite - dating back to the early nineties. Judging from the condition of the bike, I'd say it was either very well looked after or hardly ever used.
I have put about 160 kilometers (100 miles) on the bike, and it feels absolutely fine, no weird noises or any obvious sign that the CF or lug joints are about to fail. It feels solid and far more responsive than my old steel Peugeout used to feel years ago.
(Mostly original components, but new wheels and tyres).
What is your opinion on the safety factor of old CF frames? I keep on hearing horrible stories of "Spontaneous break-up" and resulting bodily harm etc etc.
All opinions welcome - thanks in advance!
-- Jan in BC, Canada