Bicycle Mechanics - I just bought my first carbon bike. what do i need to know?

I'm not 100% sure that im posting on the correct page but here it is anyway. I just finished (almost) building up my first carbon bike. Its a Litespeed Archon C2
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/LitespeedArchon/01_2010_Litespeed_Archon.jpg

I've never had a carbon bike before. my last bike was a CAAD9 that i rode in some of the worst weather. I keep my bike clean, but I ride in the rain on a regular basis. Is there anything I need to know? thanks.

Nope.

There is no 'special' maint you need to do that is different than a steel bike or an AL bike.

hks85, Always use a torque wrench and no, it won't self destruct with just a stern look.

Brad

Buy a torque wrench. And if your bike has no Deda Dog Fang, get one in the right size.

Sweet ass bike! +1 on the torque wrench of wrenching. Nothing different in regards to paint or anything. If anything, you can worry less about rust.

Ride in the rain? I cannot figure out where you put the Mudguards on one of those..
dog fang may not fit an odd shaped seat tube,
but since dropped chains do very Ugly things to Carbon Frames..
there are alternative devices, to serve the same function.
they go on the same bolt that holds the Front derailleur on that 'braze on' mount.
j-tek makes another type , installing the external bearing
on the right side holds it on.
an example:
http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/kchca.html

Oh, and Don't Crash ..

i gots a torque wrench. everything is torqued to spec.

thanks for the help

Buy a torque wrench. And if your bike has no Deda Dog Fang, get one in the right size.

And where should he put it, given that there is not compatible spot on the seattube of that frame.

as above, thats where you put it, on the front derailleur mounting bolt,
Pro Race teams fit these on their guys bikes, even when not banging over the French Cobbles on the road to Roubaix.
http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/kchca.html
another source they throw in a bracket not needed for the OP's bike.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/components/chain-guides-bash-guards.453.htmlhtt (ttphttp://www.competitivecyclist.com/components/chain-guides-bash-guards.453.html)

Dong *** won't fit. K-edge that mounts to FD mtg bolt works.

as above, thats where you put it, on the front derailleur mounting bolt,
Pro Race teams fit these on their guys bikes, even when not banging over the French Cobbles on the road to Roubaix.
http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/kchca.html
another source they throw in a bracket not needed for the OP's bike.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/components/chain-guides-bash-guards.453.htmlhtt (ttphttp://www.competitivecyclist.com/components/chain-guides-bash-guards.453.html)

Uh no?

Do you even know what a deda dog fang looks like? I'm really tired of people telling me i'm wrong when they have absolutely no idea what they're talking about.

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/ProductImages/fullsize/DedaDogFang.jpg

i have no idea what you are talking about

I checked youtube for, "Deda Dog Fang" and I found this very reliant info!
still not 100% sure what a Deda Dog Fang is. im guessing it catches the chain if it calls off the chaining?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7fUmyE7SHI

Uh no?

Do you even know what a deda dog fang looks like? I'm really tired of people telling me i'm wrong when they have absolutely no idea what they're talking about.t

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/ProductImages/fullsize/DedaDogFang.jpg

C'mon operator, take a deep breath. Of course, he can't fit a Deda Dog Fang on that frame, but the type that hangs from the derailleur suffices. Like the one referenced above by fietsbob.

Ride in the rain? I cannot figure out where you put the Mudguards on one of those..
..
Funny you should ask. VeloNews just did a write-up on a set of mudguards named "Roadracer Mk 2" by a UK company called "Crud Products" that are made to fit road bikes with close clearances. Their criteria is; "if you can get a 4 mm allen wrench between the top of the tire and the frame or fork crown they will fit." Here is their web site: www.crudproducts.com Their US distribution is pretty sparse but they are available from some UK dealers. Amazon does show them but as out-of-stock.

still not 100% sure what a Deda Dog Fang is. im guessing it catches the chain if it calls off the chaining?

Yes, the products that have been mentioned serve to prevent a chain from falling off the inner chainring, which could scratch the carbon fiber at the bottom bracket or seat tube. On a non-carbon bike, while such a device is nice, it's not as necessary as a slipped chain is much less likely to cause significant damage to steel and aluminum.

As has been stated the Dog Fang itself won't work because of the shape of your seat tube, but there are other products that have been mentioned that attach at different places that would work.

I just bought my first carbon bike. what do i need to know?

That although the force is strong in you,
you have crossed over to the dark side?:p

The Dog Fang should work fine ...

i see... if its good enough for a race team its good enough for me. thats what they say right? haha

Funny you should ask. VeloNews just did a write-up on a set of mudguards named "Roadracer Mk 2" by a UK company called "Crud Products" that are made to fit road bikes with close clearances. Their criteria is; "if you can get a 4 mm allen wrench between the top of the tire and the frame or fork crown they will fit." Here is their web site: www.crudproducts.com Their US distribution is pretty sparse but they are available from some UK dealers. Amazon does show them but as out-of-stock.

I have seen those and installed them. They are very fragile and *barely* cover the a 23c tyre. You'd be better off spending a bit more time customizing a set of SKS P35's instead.

You might want to observe any contact between front brake barrel adjuster locknut and the downtube, I've seen a pointy, star-shaped lock nut poke a hole thru a nice carbon frame, what a shame!

thanks all,
I slipped my chain on my first ride. to my amazement, i was able to get the chain back on without stopping or even touching the chain with my fingers. Ill never own a bike again without one of these.

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