Carbon Fragility

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Comments

  • simon_masterson
    simon_masterson Posts: 2,740
    To be honest, all frames are liable for damage in a crash. It's not like alloy parts are to be messed with; alloy cranks will eventually break (ask any seasoned cyclist), and if you bend your handlebars in a crash you should replace them unless you have a deathwish. And alloy is generally considered to have a defined service life anyway.

    If any one is better than the others it is steel, as it is the most easily repaired. Price is a factor - replacing tubes in a cheap plain-gauge frame will probably cost you more than the frame is worth; not so with your 853/Spirit/other top-end steel frame - but nevertheless, it's much more readily done than carbon, which still seems to be more repairable than aluminium, which can't be repaired at all so far as I know.

    If money were no object, I wouldn't buy an alloy bike. My next bike purchase will be an alloy bike (unless my work prospects improve dramatically), as I'd rather have a cheaper alloy frame with good wheels than a cheap carbon bike that's a couple of hundred grams lighter with mediocre parts all round, but otherwise, I see no particular reason to opt for it over carbon fibre. I hope one day to own a top-end made-to-measure steel bike for all my 'fun' cycling anyway. :)
    Retro(ish) TT 2017-
    Fixed TT 2015-2016
  • Wirral_paul
    Wirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    Monty Dog wrote:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_O9PLorYPA

    Try this with an alloy, or even steel frame and tell me which material is more durable?
    The problem is that it takes specialist techniques to determine whether a carbon composite has been compromised - shops take the easy way out because they're only interested in shifting product. Like as others have said, you can't 'bend' a carbon frame.

    Have a look at this also. I think you'll be fine with a carbon frame.

    http://www.pinkbike.com/video/243228/

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