MaxTBehrens Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 When choosing components, frames mostly, for your new bike or bike build many of us are first, stunned and baffled by the price of seemingly simplistic components. After the initial shock of discovering what components costs, and after I made peace with it, I was absolutely overthrown with choice. There are countless combinations, styles, and materials and what demanded my attention most was the very snazzy looking carbon fiber components. They draw you closer with promise of performance, then slap you across the face with their price tag. After finishing my bike build, I was quite skeptical about the carbon frame I had acquired. I had heard too many rumors of people precious carbon components splintering and what seems like exploding... None the less, I was quite pleased with the look, weight, and performance of my frame. But then I had a thought... I weighed my old alloy frame with my new carbon frame, and found the difference to be in the amount of water you carry... It was very small and nearly not worth mentioning. With the wonder of proper care of a carbon frame and the fact that most say it is not repairable got me thinking. Is carbon fiber better than alloy? I understand for road cycling every gram counts, but for a doing-it-for-fun MTB'er is carbon really an upgrade, or just an expensive alternative? My dad broke his Truvativ XX carbon crank and now uses a alloy XT crankset, and is very happy with it. There have been select cases of carbon cranks' pedal inserts breaking off, for example: But these are rare cases, but still fills one with a little but of fear that your expensive components are going to blow up. So in all of your opinions, what do you believe to be better? What have you experienced with carbon components, and what are your thoughts?
NotSoBigBen Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 From where does this 'carbon cannot be repaired' statement come? I ride 3 repaired frames, one has had quite extensive repair and has been ridden like that since 2011 with no problems at all ..... I have also had some modifications done to a Carbon TT frame without any issues!
MaxTBehrens Posted February 18, 2015 Author Posted February 18, 2015 From where does this 'carbon cannot be repaired' statement come? I ride 3 repaired frames, one has had quite extensive repair and has been ridden like that since 2011 with no problems at all ..... I have also had some modifications done to a Carbon TT frame without any issues!That's good to know! The statement probably comes from those who are jealous of your good looking carbon frame, and want to make them feel better about their alloy frames. How do you repair your carbon frames if I may ask? or even modify them?
Starvin' Marvin Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Carbon fibre is better because it's prettier. The end
NotSoBigBen Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 That's good to know! The statement probably comes from those who are jealous of your good looking carbon frame, and want to make them feel better about their alloy frames. How do you repair your carbon frames if I may ask? or even modify them?I don't do the repairs personally but leave that to the experts at Macarbi, a local CF company that does excellent work.
Starvin' Marvin Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 That's good to know! The statement probably comes from those who are jealous of your good looking carbon frame, and want to make them feel better about their alloy frames. How do you repair your carbon frames if I may ask? or even modify them?I had my carbon frame repaired by Andre from On The Edge(google OTE cycles). I took my bike to my LBS and they couldn't identify where he had worked on it.
Ampandy Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Carbon can be repaired. Part of what I do is make products from carbon fibre. The trick is to have an autoclave. I fully agree with the weight issue though, the difference is very slight. If you want the same weight in ally then look for a frame made from the 7000 series alloy. Better still magnesium. Magnesium properties are 2/3 the weight of ally size for size but more than double the strength and rigidity. The down side is the cost and there are but a handful of us skilled artisans left who will work with mag.
BogusOne Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 When choosing components, frames mostly, for your new bike or bike build many of us are first, stunned and baffled by the price of seemingly simplistic components. After the initial shock of discovering what components costs, and after I made peace with it, I was absolutely overthrown with choice. There are countless combinations, styles, and materials and what demanded my attention most was the very snazzy looking carbon fiber components. They draw you closer with promise of performance, then slap you across the face with their price tag. After finishing my bike build, I was quite skeptical about the carbon frame I had acquired. I had heard too many rumors of people precious carbon components splintering and what seems like exploding... None the less, I was quite pleased with the look, weight, and performance of my frame. But then I had a thought... I weighed my old alloy frame with my new carbon frame, and found the difference to be in the amount of water you carry... It was very small and nearly not worth mentioning. With the wonder of proper care of a carbon frame and the fact that most say it is not repairable got me thinking. Is carbon fiber better than alloy? I understand for road cycling every gram counts, but for a doing-it-for-fun MTB'er is carbon really an upgrade, or just an expensive alternative? My dad broke his Truvativ XX carbon crank and now uses a alloy XT crankset, and is very happy with it. There have been select cases of carbon cranks' pedal inserts breaking off, for example:highres_191459552.jpegphoto.jpg But these are rare cases, but still fills one with a little but of fear that your expensive components are going to blow up. So in all of your opinions, what do you believe to be better? What have you experienced with carbon components, and what are your thoughts?You would be surprised at what can be repaired.....
MaxTBehrens Posted February 18, 2015 Author Posted February 18, 2015 I had my carbon frame repaired by Andre from on the edge(google it). I took my bike to my LBS and they couldn't identify where he had worked on it. That is very reassuring. Do you think it would work for cranks as well?Carbon fibre is better because it's prettier. The endTrue, the carbon look and shape is very pretty indeed.
NotSoBigBen Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Thankfully the experts have arrived and not just my 'anecdotal' experience [emoji41]
Starvin' Marvin Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 That is very reassuring. Do you think it would work for cranks as well?True, the carbon look and shape is very pretty indeed. It's not my area of expertise so hesitant to say yes, my advice is call the guys Big Ben uses and chat to them.
MaxTBehrens Posted February 18, 2015 Author Posted February 18, 2015 What happened to my fathers cranks are the alu spindle that is connected to the drive side of the crank came loose. A fix doesn't seem possible
NixM Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Nothing like shards of carbon fibre aimed at your perineum to make you realise that carbon seatposts and mtb don't mix. A repair job 20km into a 60km race Replaced with a very nice kcnc titanium post.
MaxTBehrens Posted February 18, 2015 Author Posted February 18, 2015 Nothing like shards of carbon fibre aimed at your perineum to make you realise that carbon seatposts and mtb don't mix.20131124_194225.jpg A repair job 20km into a 60km race20131124_175836.jpg Replaced with a very nice kcnc titanium post.Woh... I hope you and your sitting area survived that, and are still in working order. Titanium seatpost, good move.
BarHugger Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Nothing like shards of carbon fibre aimed at your perineum to make you realise that carbon seatposts and mtb don't mix.20131124_194225.jpg A repair job 20km into a 60km race20131124_175836.jpg Replaced with a very nice kcnc titanium post.Note to self........avoid any Hub conflict with NixM. Second pic......Psycho-Cybernetics, Advanced Banter, Dictionary........game, set and match.
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