Originally Posted by
tjspiel
Not all CF is the same from what I understand so the durability of CF may be hard to categorize universally.
Very true. If there is a theme to CF though, it's that defects can be harder to see, and spread faster. This gives it the reputation for catastrophic failures - some of that reputation deserved. Also, it probably depends just how tight the manufacturer pushed the engineering tolerances of the material.
CF developed for consumer applications should be fairly flexible. I don't know if I'd trust a carbon frame after any decent crash, though.
As for UV: I don't think it should be especially susceptible. The fiber itself shouldn't be damaged. Effect upon the polymer impregnated in the carbon might vary with the breed, but it shouldn't penetrate beneath the surface.