Carbon weave look on the surface of CF frames

over-the-hill
over-the-hill Posts: 144
edited May 2008 in Workshop
I keep hearing that this is just decoration and that the real carbon underneath is plain smooth black. Why is done, how is it done, how thick is it and does it add extra unnecessary weight? I think I would rather have a fully painted carbon frame isn't it a bit corny to have carbon look effect?

Comments

  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    why is it done? - cos the plain carbon looks a bit crap so the decorative weave lives up to peoples expectations. It's just a nicro-thin layer of decorative fibre layered over the top - applied before the lacquer stage.

    Yes it does add weight but it can't be a lot - Scott make a big point of it being missing on their "addict ltd" model - "to save weight" .

    I have to admit - it's one of the things I don't like about my S-Works roubaix - it has no top layer and just looks like a piece of plastic - slightly holographic in it's appearance - it looks a bit weird.

    here are a couple of pics I took to demonstrate this on another thread when we were talking about the roubaix expert frame (which does have the weave) - that said - you can barely make it out:
    05042008071.jpg
    05042008070.jpg
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    Actually no. Before unidirectional weaves were used, 3k carbon was used for the most (if not all of) the layup.

    This is not the same thing as that tacky fake carbon effect. It is real carbon. It's applied as a weave because it's easier to manipulate when placing it in the mould. It also is stronger in more directions than unidirectional carbon, which the top surface requires for a bit of extra impact resistance.
    vertebr.ae | precision braking & shifting

Categories