Originally Posted by
njkayaker
The carbon fiber (which doesn't resist compression very well) adds tensile strength and the epoxy (which doesn't resist stretching very well) adds compression strength. Like rebar in concrete. (I suspect you know this but other people might not.)
Current carbon frames are more like the "monolithic" structure (except for the bonded-in metal bits). They aren't just tubes glued together (anymore).
If it's Treks we're discussing here, they're still tubes glued together. The head tube, seat cluster and BB area are glued to the tubes.
Brian, so you had the H1 fit and they moved you to H2? Wow, that's annoying since you actually
need H1 for your fit to work. You might want to point that out and ask if they can get you onto the 6-series that actually fits... after all, the 5-series used to be a US-made bike too. You bought in, they should move you up if that's what it takes to maintain your fit. And there's a chance they'll say yes, we've had a few successes at the horse-trading approach before.