Bicycle Mechanics - Any Issues Storing Carbon Fiber FRame in Unheated Garage?

I just got a new Scott CR1. :thumb: Its my first carbon fiber bike. I normally store my bike in my unheated garage over the winter. I live in the Northeast US, where the temperature will drop below freezing for much of the winter, including in the garage. I also typically train in the garage over the winter also. But, I plug in a quartz heater and point in on myself while I ride the trainer. This brings the temperature up to a reasonable level for the hour I'm training. I'm wondering if I should be concerned with storing the bike out there, or training on it while it so cold. The cold doesn't bother me. But, will the cold temperature have any negative impact on the carbon fiber?

Thanks

Nah, not a problem. Carbon-fibre has an operating range much wider than the organics riding it...

Military aircraft use many carbon composits as structural members and they operate at outside temperatures you can't even imagine. Also, they are stored outside all winter in some very cold places. Not a problem.

Your bike will feel cold and unloved. There will be a negative impact on your relationship with the bike.

Your bike will feel cold and unloved. There will be a negative impact on your relationship with the bike.




The man speaks true.

Both my bikes stay warm and fuzzy in the living room, and as a result of that they feel loved and cared for, ready to give me miles and miles of bike riding fun.


:D

Your bike will feel cold and unloved. There will be a negative impact on your relationship with the bike.

I completely agree. Store your faithful bike outside and expect to be spit off of it at a very inopportune time this spring. :D

Both my bikes stay warm and fuzzy in the living room, and as a result of that they feel loved and cared for, ready to give me miles and miles of bike riding fun.:D
I assume you don't have a spouse or he/she doesn't object to sharing your living room and affection with the bikes.

My wife isn't that understanding. :)

The real problem is that the saddle will be cold when you go to ride it!!!!!!!
Sounds like a nice bike, enjoy!!

I work for a Supercar company that the whole cars body is Carbon Fiber.
Although its not my department, the 'glass shop people worry more about the
heat here in FL. The car parts are not allowed to stay in direct sunlite for
any more than 20 minutes or so and they are stored in a 70 degree room.
This came about because there was definite problems fitting hot body parts
to the composite chassis :)

I assume you don't have a spouse or he/she doesn't object to sharing your living room and affection with the bikes.

My wife isn't that understanding. :)




You assume correctly

And sorry your wife is not more understanding. My wife (who is fairer persuation) is understanding, more so with my bikes than anything else. She knows the time and effort I have invested in them and how much they mean to me. That and I rule the roost in my household (pending her approval of course. :D)

Carbon doesn't care about temperature, the metal parts however would need more maintenance, not 'coz of temperature but due to gathered moisture in an unheated room.

Carbon doesn't care about temperature, the metal parts however would need more maintenance, not 'coz of temperature but due to gathered moisture in an unheated room.




Carbon is dead. It dont speak and it dont sing, so it deserves to stay outside in the cold.

I work for a Supercar company that the whole cars body is Carbon Fiber.
Although its not my department, the 'glass shop people worry more about the
heat here in FL. The car parts are not allowed to stay in direct sunlite for
any more than 20 minutes or so and they are stored in a 70 degree room.
This came about because there was definite problems fitting hot body parts
to the composite chassis :)
What you are describing is a differential expansion problem. The fiberglass parts expand at a different rate than carbon so the fit up is difficult if they are too hot. It has nothing to do with thermal degredation or damage.