What is the lifespan of a carbon frame ?

NervexProf
NervexProf Posts: 4,202
edited July 2015 in Workshop
Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom

Comments

  • keezx
    keezx Posts: 1,322
    Nothing new , all well-known stuff.
  • NervexProf
    NervexProf Posts: 4,202
    Nothing new , all well-known stuff.

    Sniffy response - what about others.
    Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
  • bikes`n`guns
    bikes`n`guns Posts: 959
    Well mine is warranted for life, so I suppose it`ll last for life then.
    Trek,,,, too cool for school ,, apparently
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Warranted for life these days means about 5 years for the first owner only (read the small print)
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • ben-----
    ben----- Posts: 573
    Well mine is warranted for life, so I suppose it`ll last for life then.

    The way I understand it is the life time being talked about there isn't your life time but the frame's life. And that amount of time is entirely up to the manufacturer. I remember vaguely a conversation about this in relation to Cannondale's lifetime warantee. For carbon frames it's soemthing rediculously short like 3 years. So Cannondale's frames are covered by a life time warantee, and the designated by Cannondale lifetime of a carbon frame is 3 years (or something like 3 years, I can't remember for sure). Lifetime warrantees are a complete con it would appear.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Well mine is warranted for life, so I suppose it`ll last for life then.

    The way I understand it is the life time being talked about there isn't your life time but the frame's life. And that amount of time is entirely up to the manufacturer. I remember vaguely a conversation about this in relation to Cannondale's lifetime warantee. For carbon frames it's soemthing rediculously short like 3 years. So Cannondale's frames are covered by a life time warantee, and the designated by Cannondale lifetime of a carbon frame is 3 years (or something like 3 years, I can't remember for sure). Lifetime warrantees are a complete con it would appear.

    Are we talking about lifespan or warranty period? Some people drive 100 year old cars, but the cars never had a 100 year warranty.
  • slowmart
    slowmart Posts: 4,474
    Specialized is a lifetime warranty on the frame only
    “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring”

    Desmond Tutu
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Good article. It would seem that beyond crashing it or bouncing it around in the car for ages a carbon frame will last forever.

    And in the article they were taking about a rider lifetime; if the frame is looked after.
  • First.Aspect
    First.Aspect Posts: 14,498
    Good article. It would seem that beyond crashing it or bouncing it around in the car for ages a carbon frame will last forever.

    And in the article they were taking about a rider lifetime; if the frame is looked after.
    Given that it was based on interviews from people who make and sell carbon fibre frames, you might want to read it a little more critically.
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    Good article. It would seem that beyond crashing it or bouncing it around in the car for ages a carbon frame will last forever.

    And in the article they were taking about a rider lifetime; if the frame is looked after.
    Given that it was based on interviews from people who make and sell carbon fibre frames, you might want to read it a little more critically.

    Nothing that was mentioned in the articles is incorrect and the greater fatigue-resistant properties of carbon fibre composites are generally well known. Also, the people quoted in the article work for bike companies which also sell lots of metal-framed bikes and they also state the downsides of carbon composites, such as poor resistance to surface impacts.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    My Basso is 7 years old and still rides like new. It's been crashed on and ridden in all extremes of weather. My Merida has a lifetime frame replacement and I would think most of us with expensive bikes have them insured against accidental damage.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • First.Aspect
    First.Aspect Posts: 14,498
    Good article. It would seem that beyond crashing it or bouncing it around in the car for ages a carbon frame will last forever.

    And in the article they were taking about a rider lifetime; if the frame is looked after.
    Given that it was based on interviews from people who make and sell carbon fibre frames, you might want to read it a little more critically.

    Nothing that was mentioned in the articles is incorrect and the greater fatigue-resistant properties of carbon fibre composites are generally well known. Also, the people quoted in the article work for bike companies which also sell lots of metal-framed bikes and they also state the downsides of carbon composites, such as poor resistance to surface impacts.
    It was the blanket conclusion I was quibbling with.
  • bikes`n`guns
    bikes`n`guns Posts: 959
    Warranted for life these days means about 5 years for the first owner only (read the small print)

    Nope, sorry wrong.

    Trek warrants the frame for the lifetime of the first owner.
    Trek,,,, too cool for school ,, apparently
  • bikes`n`guns
    bikes`n`guns Posts: 959
    Well mine is warranted for life, so I suppose it`ll last for life then.

    The way I understand it is the life time being talked about there isn't your life time but the frame's life. And that amount of time is entirely up to the manufacturer. I remember vaguely a conversation about this in relation to Cannondale's lifetime warantee. For carbon frames it's soemthing rediculously short like 3 years. So Cannondale's frames are covered by a life time warantee, and the designated by Cannondale lifetime of a carbon frame is 3 years (or something like 3 years, I can't remember for sure). Lifetime warrantees are a complete con it would appear.

    See above
    Trek,,,, too cool for school ,, apparently