Carbon Frames

[MAXX]

What is the avarege life span on carbon frames? Does it differ from make to make?

[Genesis]

Hi Maxx

 

I am no specialist in this regard at all and neither am I a pro or bike dealer.

Firstly is it a Mountain Bike or Road Bike you are after?

With todays technology and manufacturing process Im sure a carbon bike would last just as long as Ali or Steel. It all depends how you look after the bike and obviously how many crashes or accidents you may have. Hopefully not many, or none at all.

Carbon bikes now are made pretty damn strong, and depending on manufacturer your average warranty is 3-5 years. This covers normal use and obviously not for accidents - which is why you should probably have insurance as well.

 

I have had my Silverback Monza since 2007 and so far had absolutely no problems with the frame. I havent had any accidents but I have gone over and through some pretty big bumps and holes in the road. Probably done about 7000-8000km on my bike.

 

Only problem experienced is the braking of a seat post.

 

So to answer your question is not that easy, but my advise is by a well known brand with good back up and advise, and you pretty much cant go wrong.

 

Im a roadie, but do have a mountain bike (aluminium) that I hardly use so if you thinking of Carbon Mountain Bike then hopefully someone else can give you advise.

 

Happy hunting and searching.

[MAXX]

Thanks for the advise.

[Johan Bornman]

First question - meaningless.

 

Second question - yes.

[Mavric Man]

Great advice!

[JPW#]

 

I spoke to a fiber expert the other day and he recons, 150 000 km before fiber fatigue sets in and for the new generation carbon frames (the ones that costs a zillion rands, think their called nanofibre or something , they are suppose to have double the life span of the previous generation frames, thus roughly 300 000km of riding.Thats about 6 seasons of riding for Lance...hehe

JPW#2009-01-24 11:06:43

[fandacious]

150 000km? ummm that should last me a few weeks

[JPW#]

I actually have a carbon bike with 150 000km on, I rode 50 000 on it then gave it to my dad who added 100 000km over a span of 10 years haha...its a giant CFR and .... my dads words to me last week were "my frame is now as dead as a donkey!hehe)

[Johan Bornman]

I spoke to a fiber expert the other day and he recons' date=' 150 000 km before fiber fatigue sets in and for the new generation carbon frames (the ones that costs a zillion rands, think their called nanofibre or something , they are suppose to have double the life span of the previous generation frames, thus roughly 300 000km of riding.Thats about 6 seasons of riding for Lance...hehe
[/quote']

 

If your fibre expert friend really said that he's been sniffing too much carpet fibre resin.

 

How did he arrive at that figure?

Does he even know which frame member is the most stressed?

Was that for smooth road or rough road?

Was his sample rider a 120kg monster or a 90-pound weakling?

Did he extrapolate the 150k kms from certain stress cycles?

What wove did he factor in?

 

That answer is as meaningless as the question.

 

 

 

[JPW#]

Nope, the answer is only meaningless to those who think its meaningless )

The stats are  just a rough guide, for those who want peace of mind, you cant ride a frame forever and think its going to last forever, it wont, nothing on this planet lasts forever, its all made to be destroyed.

 

[ccc2]

one little fall and you throw away the frame.

[fandacious]

 

one little fall and you throw away the frame.

 

thank goodness for bicycle insurance..