Carbon Fiber Components

[eldouma]

I've got a narrow pair of carbon drops and a seat post, will they put up with the rigors of CX riding? Is there anything I should be aware of before installing them? I've never had any carbon components until these were given to me. Thanks for the help.

[damocles1]

They should be fine as long as they aren't damaged.
The seatpost will be fine and the bars will be okay as long as they don't take any super-hard impacts. Inspect the bars when/if you crash...

[dirtyphotons]

most shops will use a torque wrench when installing cf components. you probably don't need to go that far, but try and use the recommended torque and no more. carbon fiber components are very strong and durable if properly installed, but can crack if you overtorque them. when they do fail, it's usually without warning.

there are many who think that greasing a carbon seatpost will damage the lamination on it, and there are some who disagree. regardless, another problem with greasing carbon is that you have to torque the clamp down pretty hard to keep it from slipping, perhaps harder than is advisable.

galvanic corrosion, however, can occur where carbon post meets aluminum seat tube, and a company called tacx makes a product called dynamic carbon assembly paste to protect against this corrosion, as well as provide some "bite" on the post without damaging the finish.

here's a tub:

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/LU2022

but it's way more than you'll need. i bet your lbs will let you have some for free or cheap. if i didn't have a torque wrench i'd probably let them install it too.

[eldouma]

Thanks so much, I'm going to go ahead with the install and run it by my lbs regarding correct torque.

[thatguy]

I've seen the Specialized carbon seatpost break during a race. Lucky for the rider it broke at the frame and he didn't "sit" on it. YMMV, but I wouldn't want to be jumping on and off a carbon post. Get a Thompson or something and it will outlast your frame.

[i_r_beej]

I've seen the Specialized carbon seatpost break during a race. Lucky for the rider it broke at the frame and he didn't "sit" on it. YMMV, but I wouldn't want to be jumping on and off a carbon post. Get a Thompson or something and it will outlast your frame.

+1 on that! I've seen far too many carbon seatposts broken after a CX race. And they ALL broke leaving jagged shards sticking up out of the seat tube. Imagine sitting on that?

In my "old fashioned" opinion (and one that i've heard muttered at several CX races) is that carbon doesn't belong on a 'cross bike. Anything that can have it's structural integrity compromised by a scratch (something that "catches a fingernail") doesn't belong on a bike that gets subjected to mud and grit and grime.

[eldouma]

Thanks for that perspective, I was looking for it as well. I'm going to be careful but go ahead as my nice CX is also my roadie and I'll see how the carbon holds up to training rides. Any issue with bar end shifters in carbon drops?

[i_r_beej]

Thanks for that perspective, I was looking for it as well. I'm going to be careful but go ahead as my nice CX is also my roadie and I'll see how the carbon holds up to training rides.

The point at which you find out that the composite seatpost ISN'T holding up well is when you're picking composite splinters out of your arse! :)

Any issue with bar end shifters in carbon drops?

Don't do it. As far as i know, composite tubes are strong torsionally and can withstand compression, but internal expansion? No-- i highly doubt it. I've NEVER seen bar-end shifters in a composite bar. To be absolutely sure, check with the manufacturer first!

[endform]

I had a left bar end shifter for my front shifting with a STI lever for the rear when I had alum bars but I got a set of carbon bars and just finally got my act in gear and put on the left STI shifter, it made me very nervous. I would perhaps try asking the company that made/branded the bars about it.

[MATTO]

Carbon seatpost will break well it might not, but it would suck to drop out of a race because of it. In all honesty theres no point in putting one on when some aluminum ones are just a few grams heavier and for carbon bars you could probably go with them but if you getting carbon for the weight factor Ritchey WCS bars are a few grams heavier and wont hurt your wallet as bad. Because part of crossracing or bike racing in general is having a bike that will get you to the end of the race. But I see people using carbon equipment all the time so maybe some people are just not lucky, hope my opinion helps.

matto