Originally Posted by Calfee Design Technical White Paper

Conventional carbon frame-building methods using carbon tubes bonded to aluminum lugs is a controversial method. Will the adhesive bond have adequate strength? Will there be an electrolytic reaction between the carbon fiber and the aluminum (galvanic corrosion)? Will the materials expand at different rates when subjected to temperature variations (thermal expansion)? Also, by simply switching the tubing material from metal to carbon fiber, there is no reason for the problems of joints simply to go away. The glued joints are located at the areas of highest stress – particularly the bottom bracket cluster and the head and down tube juncture – on a bicycle frame. Material discontinuity (where two dissimilar materials are joined) creates stress risers (concentrated areas of stress). Coupled with galvanic corrosion, thermal expansion, or an inadequate bond, these areas can catastrophically fail. Failure can, at best, be a distressing experience for a cyclist at high speeds and more than an irritation if it means downtime from their bike.