Carbon frame shelf life
Do carbon frames have a safety shelf life ?
I am wondering if carbon frames have a useful life, especially with regard to safety and resistance to cracks and breakage. Are there different types of carbon material used and the way in which frames are manufactured ?
I read recently that several Cinelli XLR8R frames had failed particularly at the top end of the down-tube, when apparently the frames were not abused. I would have thought that Cinelli, of all the "big name" manufacturers would not want to be associated with dubious frames.
Having thought over a considerable time, whether to buy a secondhand carbon frame, I have now been told that a frame which is now probably ten years old and even with moderate amateur use, could certainly be structurally suspect and the inference being - do not spend money on an old carbon frame, Cinelli or otherwise.
Does anyone have specialist knowledge of the possible deterioration of carbon or carbons used in old frames please ? The Cinelli XTR8R frame inmy opinion looks attractive visually even though it's perhaps not a particularly lightweight example.
By the way, if I built one up and being 80+, I wouldn't be giving the bike "some stick" !