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Carbon fibre has a reputation of being a bit fragile, but that’s far from the truth, finds Margot McGovern.
Picture courtesy of Paint My Bike
Carbon fibre frames and components were once the preserve of super-expensive high-end road bikes, but with improved manufacturing techniques they now dominates the road bike market, while becoming increasingly common in mountain bikes.
Made from a weave of carbon strands set within a hard epoxy resin, carbon fibre is very light and strong, can be crafted in very aerodynamic shapes, and as a frame material, is reasonably stiff, making it ideal for fast road bikes.
Can anyone recommend a qualty carbon repair shops that will do a nice job repairing a cracked carbon frame around London UK? Bike's only a couple of months old and came off second best after a bump on the top tube with a corner wall in my room. It's a small crack only maybe 5mm long, but there's a definate hole there and some plaster wedged in. Just had the Aluminium frame on my GT roadbike changed after it developed cracks lengthways along the sides of the top tube where it meets the seat tube. The bike is just short of 5yrs old so I popped it in to the supplying LBS who I haven't seen since the day I collected it.
If the cracked area is above the top of the seat tube, you could wrap it externally with cf, won't be pretty but it should be much stronger than simply putting epoxy into an area where it looks like the material has failed, you can get a cf repair kit for about 30 quid. A couple of years back I cracked the seat tube on my Calfee frame in a similar way. I was having the frame repainted by Calfee and had them repair the seat tube. Here is a quote from their repair shop before receiving my frame.' Our cost for fixing a seat tube crushed by the FD clamp is generally $75-$150, depending on the extent of the damage.'
There have been concerns over the years about carbon fibre’s poor impact resistance, but improvements in the weave and epoxy, and the ability of designers to build in strength in frame areas where it is needed most, mean it can now be built to make downhill mountain bikes that are very impact resistant.
But some frames can still be susceptible to damage when crashed or dropped, and if you choose a carbon fibre bike, it’s important to know what will and won’t cause damage, and to understand your options if your bike is in need of repair. Dorsch friedrich diccionario de psicologia pdf gratis.
Going the distance
Carbon fibre bikes can theoretically last a lifetime. A solid block of carbon fibre is practically indestructible, which is why it is commonly used in the construction of Formula One cars, aircraft and spaceships. But carbon fibre can fatigue, and the rate at which it does so depends on a number of factors, including its particular structural design, tube thickness, what kind of riding it used for and how it is cared for.
Road racer Ben Douglas told Ride On the common understanding among competitive riders is that after two years averaging 20-25,000km per annum racing and training, a carbon fibre bike will lose some of its stiffness due to the epoxy resin softening. It makes the bike less suitable for high-end racing, but still more than adequate as a road bike.
Keep it clean
Because of carbon fibre’s reputation for low impact resistance, riders often assume it’s a delicate material and are concerned about damaging their bike with harsh cleaning products.
However, unlike steel and aluminium, carbon fibre is a relatively inert material and not susceptible to corrosion or salt damage, and it is unlikely to be affected by any standard bike cleaning products.
However, bikes aren’t purely constructed from carbon fibre, as the material cannot be moulded to make threads. Therefore, parts of the bike (for instance, the bottom bracket) must contain metal (usually aluminium) and for this reason riders should avoid cleaning products containing strong solvents that may rust or corrode metal or damage paintwork.
Potential damage
Picture courtesy of Paint My Bike
Carbon fibre bikes may be chemically resistant, but like most bikes, they can be damaged. Bikes of all materials are subject to minor manufacturing defects, and Vince Attree, owner of St Kilda Cycles, says bent dropouts and snapped drink bottle cage lugs are among the most common problems he sees in carbon fibre frames. Fortunately, these problems are typically covered under the lifetime warranty provided by most major brands.
Although not all agree, carbon fibre has a reputation for being more susceptible to collision damage than metal bikes, particularly as a result of being dropped or scraped against a hard surface.
“If the paint is chipped and you can see a crack in the matrix of the carbon, or if you push on a scratched or scraped area and it makes any kind of noise, you definitely need to have it checked out,” Vince says. “Minor scratches in the paint or clear coat over the carbon fibre aren’t too much of a concern, but if it’s exposing the carbon fibre, be aware it is now unprotected and more susceptible to damage.”
A breach in the carbon weave can lead to a break in the frame, with bent or snapped rear derailleur hangers and/or cracked or shattered seat and chain stays often the result, but one of the most commonly reported issues is a cracked seat post, usually as a result of over tightening of the seat post clamp.
Filemaker pro mac download. Riders using car racks that clamp the top tube should also be wary of over tightening the clamps.
Retailers and repairers agree that major damage is very rarely the result of a manufacturing flaw (and on occasions when it is, the affected model will usually be recalled) and it’s almost impossible for a bike to break or shatter of its own accord.
Contrary to popular belief, UV rays will not damage carbon fibre; most resins used in carbon fibre production these days contain UV stabilisers.
Damage control
Frame damage can be difficult to detect, as the paintwork can mask cracks and fractures. It is also advisable to take a cautious approach when buying second-hand carbon fibre bikes; it can be difficult to assess a bike’s condition or to judge the quality of any repairs that have been made.
If your bike has been involved in a major crash, you might consider having it checked by a bike mechanic, as additional stress placed on a damaged area may result in a major breakage.
Carbon Bike Repair in Melbourne offers an ultrasound inspection which will highlight any internal damage you might not be aware of, at a cost of $210 for the frame or $280 for the frame and fork. Quantum Bicycles in Western Australia offer a UV inspection, which also highlights internal damage, for a cost typically of between $88 and $145.
Alternatively, as with any bike, it’s a good idea to check for visible cracks, scratches and scrapes when cleaning, get it serviced regularly (every four to six months) and seek a mechanic’s advice if you notice any unexplained creaks or noises, or are concerned about potential problems.
Repair
Picture courtesy of Paint My Bike
If your carbon-fibre frame has been damaged, the good news is that in most cases, it can be repaired.
Confident DIY gurus might be tempted to try their own repairs, and there are plenty of websites and YouTube videos that provide instructions, but for most this isn’t a sensible option, as if not executed correctly, the frame can incur greater damage.
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Some bike shops undertake minor repairs, such as regluing snapped water bottle cage lugs, but Vince says he sends anything more severe to a specialist carbon fibre repairer.
![Tube Tube](/uploads/1/1/7/7/117734238/864338200.jpg)
Finding a reputable repairer can be difficult, and it’s wise to do some research before deciding who to use. Many carbon fibre repairers have recently been forced to close for failing to meet insurance requirements. Consequently, you may have to send your bike interstate, and there can be lengthy waiting lists; sometimes as long as six to eight weeks. The good news is that good repairers have a reputation for returning bikes as strong or stronger than their original condition.
Repair or replace?
Carbon fibre as a material is relatively cheap, but due to the skill level required to work with it, and the cost of retouching the paintwork, repairs can be expensive.
The exact cost will depend on the bike’s design and the extent of the damage. A small repair, for example a crack around the seat tube, may cost $200, while major damage, such as a destroyed chain stay, might cost $800.
Most repairs average between $400 and $600, which includes paintwork, and, according to Brad Prescott of Turramurra Cyclery, the work will typically take between one and three weeks, as the repair process must be completed in stages, with the resin requiring time to set and the paintwork often taking many hours.
Alternatively, a damaged part can be replaced. According to Vince, bike shop prices for a new carbon fork start at around $350 and frames at $1,500. Even a small part, such as a seat tube, can cost $200. So whether you choose to use a repairer or replace the part is likely to depend on the cost of the repair relative to the replacement part and the time necessary for the repair versus the time to source the part.
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Carbon bike builders want you to buy new frames when you break one. We’re here to say you don’t have to.
Mountain bikers fully adopted the use of carbon as a frame material over the past decade, but not without hesitation. The lightweight and desirable ride characteristics outweigh the material’s impact fragility and premium price in the mind of most riders I know.
But stories of small cracks leading to unrideable frames also abound.
I personally had three frames already in my stable of “retired” broken carbon frames before an experience in New Zealand led me down the path toward repair.
“Just send it to the shop and they’ll fix it right up,” the nonchalant Kiwi told me. And the journey began.
‘Sketchy’ World Of Carbon Bike Repair
And so I learned about the seemingly sketchy world of repairing a carbon fiber mountain bike. Universally, every single bike brand I talked to told me this was NOT A GOOD IDEA. They spouted all sorts of reasons from liability concerns, to the difficulty of the procedure, to the danger of a repair failing during extreme riding.
The brands all suggested repair was not worth the risk and buying a discounted replacement was the safest option. Most brands warranty frames against manufacturing defects. In all but one of the frames, brands declared damage unequivocally my fault (or the airlines’, shippers’, etc).
DIY Carbon Repair?
I bought a $99 DIY carbon repair kit from Amazon and tried my hand at a repair. In the end, it was more than I felt comfortable with, and the voices of the bike manufacturer’s warning echoed in my head: “What if it breaks when you are riding?”
My repair was ugly and rough. I was too timid to do anything but ride lightly on pavement.
Professional Carbon Bike Repair
But then I found Appleman Cycles based out of Minneapolis.
From the website:
“Appleman Bicycles can repair your damaged, broken, busted, or cracked carbon fiber frame! Nearly every carbon fiber frame can be repaired no matter how severe the damage. I use my vast knowledge and experience in advanced carbon fiber structure repair to bring your bike back to it’s original strength, safely. With a turnaround time of 3 days, you’ll have your bike back quickly.
It’s a myth that carbon can’t be repaired. In fact, carbon fiber is one of the most repairable materials and each Appleman repair is covered by a 10 year warranty! Repairs add no measurable weight and don’t alter the ride of the bike.
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Don’t worry… get it repaired!”
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Don’t worry… get it repaired!”
Oh snap! Carbon frame before repair
Interview: Carbon Frame Repair Expert
Matt Appleman has fixed carbon frames since 2011. He also repairs wind turbine blades in his role as a composite engineer.
I sent him two frames and a host of questions. I wanted to know if his repairs would last.
Most bike manufacturers recommend against this practice – but your website (and others) claim it is very safe. Why do you think there is a disconnect?
Most people don’t know that carbon fiber is the most repairable material. As they say in The Princess Bride, “Anyone who says differently is selling something.” Repair is bad business for big manufacturers. Legally speaking, they want to limit their liability. Financially, they want to sell you a new frame.
How many carbon repairs (frames) have you done?
I’ve done 350 frame repairs (1,000+ counting wind turbine repair). I’m a one-man shop and split my time between building custom carbon fiber frames and repair work.
Are there certain breaks that you would not repair? What and Why?
Sublime text 2 download for mac. I don’t repair carbon fiber components: handlebars, forks, seat posts and the like. It’s cheaper to get a new part.
Rims: you have so much heat, friction, and extremely high forces on very small areas that repair isn’t practical. On the other hand, disc wheels (as in TT disc wheels) are repairable, except along the brake track. It’s pretty common for them to get pierced by a pedal during transportation.
I tend not to repair damaged or loose metal bottom bracket sleeves. These sleeves often loosen up because of poor frame design, and I can’t fix poor design. Sure, I could re-glue it and it might last you a season, but I don’t perform a repair if it’s not going to last for the long haul.
Have you ever had a repair fail?
Nope. I don’t repair a frame unless I know it’s going to be durable and outlast the rest of the bike! Strength and durability are my primary concerns. Sometimes someone brings me a frame that can’t be repaired safely and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a repair doesn’t make sense in some situations.
Are there different concerns/steps in repairing a damaged road bike vs. mountain bike?
Every frame is unique whether it’s a road or mountain frame, so it gets a unique repair. I dig into the frame and see what is damaged, how deep, and to what extent. Repair is part art and part science. I combine these two to evaluate, design, and perform the repair.
So yes, a mountain bike repair will be different than a road bike repair because the bike was (hopefully) designed to be stronger. That being said, even repairing the seat stays of two road bikes will be slightly different as they’re different bikes. I can read carbon fiber damage like a book.
What is the average price range of a carbon repair from your shop?
The vast majority of repairs are $300 for your typical seat stay, chain stay, and top tube damages. Other repairs range from $250-$400.
Turnaround time?
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Standard turnaround time is one to two weeks. I offer expedited repair of about 24 hours for an additional $50. I also have the ability to do same day turnarounds for emergencies.
Being that I don’t do any paint work, I am able to turn repairs around quickly. Paint adds a lot of time and cost to the repair. I’m very practical and structurally-minded when doing repairs so I choose to show raw repair.
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It’s also a myth that carbon fiber needs to be “protected” or “covered” so that the elements don’t damage it. This is false. In fact, carbon fiber/epoxy is chemically inert and doesn’t react to the elements.
What is the most technical/difficult part of the repair process?
I think carbon repair as a whole is all technical and each step has its own technical aspects. I’ve been doing repairs long enough it has become second nature, but I really enjoy the breadth of knowledge required of the repair process. Diagnosing damage, paint removal, layup design, applying the layup to the frame — it’s all technical, and requires a lot of practice and skill to perform efficiently.
What are the most common things you repair?
Seat stays and chainstays are by far the most damaged tubes. The stays are wider on the frame and less protected by the rider in the event of a crash. Seat stays are especially prone to damage as they are the least structural tube of the frame and the most exposed.
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Do you make custom frames?
Yup. I build full carbon fiber frames for road, CX, mountain, and gravel riding. I customize every tube to the rider’s height, weight, and riding style. This deep level of customization through varying carbon materials, layup schedules, and diameter helps create the wonderful, lively ride Appleman is known for. Doing repair certainly upped my custom frame builds as well. When doing repairs I get great insight on what breaks, why, and where. I take these cues and design my frames to be tougher, stronger, and more durable than mass produced bikes.
Repaired Carbon-Fiber Frames Tested
I’ve repaired four frames total now (both at Appleman and a shop in New Zealand), and spent the last season training and racing on these repaired frames. The first few rides always spooked me going hard into any rough section or fast corner. But I soon forgot, so much so I’ve loaned the bikes out to other traveling racers with full confidence.
The only downside I can think of is that now I am even rougher on my bikes, taking less care in packing my bike for long flights and bumpy truck rides.
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But as they say, “diamonds last forever.” And diamonds indeed are made of carbon.