zacked

That's all true, but CF cranks still make no sense for a bike you're going to lock up at the store. I occasionally consider getting a CF frame, but then I remember how many times I've come back to my bike and found it flopped over and spun around the parking meter, or dropped my lock on my downtube when my hands are freezing.

Inertianinja

folks

if pros use carbon fiber parts, you can use carbon fiber parts.
they put out more power than you or i ever will.
they only thing they're not doing is slamming their bikes up against concrete steps doing tricks.

end of story.

carleton

"Carbon Fiber is Expensive" is another myth that needs to be dispelled.

Carbon Fiber USED to be expensive when it was a custom or almost custom process that required special facilities and skilled labor. Now, it's not the case. You can go to ebay (or a bike shop) and find moderately priced carbon fiber frames or complete bikes. CF accessories are super cheap. Yes, some companies will sell a CF bottle holder for $50...but you can find one for $10, too. A new Planet X CF frame/fork/seatpost is $800. New Carbon Fiber handlebars can be found on Ebay for $50. New CF stems for $20.

A CF bike won't shatter if you drop something on it. I bang up my bike all the time.

Stop with the myths.

carleton

Remember this one: "Steel frames flex, aluminum ones don't. They just break on you."

Now there are more aluminum FG bikes than ever. I don't recall any epidemic of frames breaking from normal use (outside of doing tricks).

zacked

I don't think CF is weak, but it is notably less durable than aluminum and iron alloys, which makes it susceptible to the types of damage normal city use causes to a bike and parts. And it is generally more expensive, so you pay more money for a part that will likely be usable for less time.

The thing about aluminum frames is a straw man. I'm not saying no one should ever buy CF products, just that it is unsuited to the use of most of the people on this forum.

carleton

In 2004 people said the same things about aluminum when compared to steel.

And that's where I disagree with you. I think that people should consider it along with other products.

The knee-jerk reaction (your responses being a prime example) is that "Carbon Fiber is definitely not anything that I want to ever consider." I'm just trying to provide some different perspective and information.

vw addict

uh-oh, not this again...

carleton

I can feel your anger. It gives you focus, makes you stronger.

You guys have more in common with the dreaded roadie that you will ever imagine.

Relax. Embrace it.

I hope you trust me, vw addict.

vw addict

LOL, well I have two sets of carbon cranks, a carbon road frame, a carbon MTB frame, and carbon risers on one of my mtb's. I have no issues.

carleton

I'm looking forward to completing your training.

Squirrelli

I was being jokingly ignorant about the reliability of carbon fibre cranks by comparing them with an alloy crankset.

Get Scrod a carbon seatpost or carbn risers, then the whole forum would be like..."Hmm, maybe carbon it is what is all cracked up to be."

hairnet

EXPLOSION!! duck and cover

Inertianinja

every BF user should be required to watch this before registering.

Squirrelli

Yea, especially the A&S, P&R, C&V guys because they really care about this kind of thing.

Inertianinja

every subforum has threads about carbon fiber, and every one of those threads has someone doubting its strength/durability/etc.

Squirrelli

Let me help by putting this site here.

hairnet

The only busted carbon I've seen was on a bike that was hit by a car

carleton

Stuff breaks, steel, aluminum, and carbon.

Some interesting quotes from the first few pages:

"My Specialized S-Works Tarmac didn't fair so well against Grandma's carport."

"...Rather a case of some loose gravel on a tight corner and me sliding into a kerb. "


"There was a huge crash in the Cat 4 race and I was in the middle of it. My friend, who was right next to me, ended up with 8 broken ribs! "

"It's been a while since this actually happened, but here are some photos from me going into the back of a car at ~50km/h."

"I have a small business that specializes in carbon fibre processing. Lately we have begun doing repairs to bikes when possible. This one belongs to a friend Karl who for forgot it was on the roof of his car when he drove into an underground car park. Before and after repair."

That's right, the carbon got repaired {gasp**

docboyd

you know they make carbon fiber driveshafts for cars...these things are no larger than their alloy counterparts and are still rated for hundreds of horsepower therefore it makes sense that carbon is at least equally as tough as steel and aluminum. The times that carbon fiber breaks are when stresses are placed on it which it was not intended for. Sometimes steel and aluminum seem to be able to survive a bit more because they can bend very slightly to compensate then bend back something carbon has a hard time doing.

hairnet

not all CF is created equal

Leukybear 

Link to back up that statement of yours???

docboyd

^ i would like a $20 cf stem as well...

carleton

https://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories


I can't hotlink the image, but it's
WHITE CARBON FIBER MOUNTAIN BIKE BAR STEM 100 31.8 NEW
$18.87 + $9.83 Expedited Shipping
https://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-CARBON-FIB...item45f922c736

That was the first link I found. Plenty of others.

carleton

$9.99 + $24.99 Economy Shipping
Brand New Carbon Fibre Road Bike Stem 31.8 x 90 mm (black)
https://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Carbon...item51982f5289

Scrodzilla

This pic makes me happy:



**** Origin 8.