Can a carbon frame really handle it?

francis666

Just finished the Thetford Dusk till Dawn as solo rider and sitting here in the early hours with a pulled ligament.
But beginning to see the advantage of a new bike. My heavy but sturdy 26" 2005 GTI I Drive even with full air sus, is beginning to feel a bit dated. Am beginning to see the benifits of a 29er, so a much lighter frame may be worth it too. Carbon frame? Already on the road bike, but can an MTB frame really take the knocks? I fell off twice last night - tired and clipped in with nothing but my self respect damaged. But what would it have done to a carbon frame. I know its phenomoly strong, but twice this year I've sean seat post brackets snapped and what about knocks from a stoney off? Ally would just dent but could carbon be structural, brittle? I know race teams have carbon, but they also have sponsored replacements. So will carbon take a non pro rider life

thelonegroover

They'll be garanteed won't they?

Clank

francis666 wrote:

. So will carbon take a non pro rider life

In one word? Yes.

nicklouse

Carbon MTBs have been around since the last century.

carbonkid

They make aeroplanes out of it. So???

rockmonkeysc

Quality carbon frames are stronger than aluminium.
They aren't always lighter than aluminium.

francis666

Thanks 4 the replies, but I probably waffled to much earlier.
In a nutshell, can carbon frames take a small impact knock as well as ally?
Ally will take a minor dent, but world this cause a carbon to fracture?
And warranties only last a year.

nicklouse

watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lsDXEEUlRE

pesky_jones

If everything said above is true, how comes there's not many, if any carbon jump bikes? Hardtail jump bikes.

pesky_jones

Sure, its failing point is a lot higher than steel etc, but when it goes, it really goes.

njee20

In a nutshell, can carbon frames take a small impact knock as well as ally?
Ally will take a minor dent, but world this cause a carbon to fracture?
And warranties only last a year.

Better.
No.
Varies, Trek and Specialized (among others) are lifetime.

francis666

Thanks to Nicklouse for
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lsDXEEUlRE
Really makes things clear, so until I can get Titanium, carbon it is!

Just watched this:
http://youtu.be/xk98yvozq1g

Also didn't know Speciaslized gave lifetime warranty and seriously like the carbon Camber 2012.
So thanks to all!

coulddobetter

Used to worry on mine . Not any more having had some pretty spectacular offs.

rockmonkeysc

Pesky Jones wrote:

If everything said above is true, how comes there's not many, if any carbon jump bikes? Hardtail jump bikes.

They exist but there isn't much weight to save in such a small frame and jump frames are almost disposable to good riders, I know a few who regularly break frames.
Carbon is now used extensively for downhill bikes