Carbon for Commuter?
 

Does anyone else here use a Carbon Fiber bike as a commuter? I have been looking at a really nice carbon cyclocross bike as sort of an all-in-one style bike (I am a student so while I would love to have a road bike, a cyclocross bike, and a commuter I can't afford that).

I use my bike for shopping, transport, and I might possibly do bike messengering as well as road rides when possible. So my question is would the rigors of typical day useage (locking to posts, getting bumped) prove deadly for a carbon frame? Does anyone else use a carbon bike like this at all?

I often commute on a carbon road bike. Some days I take my steel tourer with panniers to carry clothes. I then leave three or four changes of clothes at work so that there are several days on which I needn't carry any gear and can use the road bike.

The "rigours of daily usage" that you describe are no problem for a carbon frame. My only question would be whether the bike has the fittings for a rack so you could carry a worthwhile amount of shopping, if that's what you're going to use it for. And make sure you lock it up properly.

I have a carbon fiber road bike, and an aluminum cyclocross bike. I use the CX one for commuting, because I can't take a bike inside the building at work. I'm somewhat worried that it might be stolen, but more worried that someone else will lock up next to it, and drop their bike into it when they fish their lock out, or hit it with a grocery cart. ( I've seen that happen many times. )

Its my understanding that carbon fiber is supposed to be as strong or stronger than most metals, if i could afford one id rather ride carbon than an aluminum framed commuter.

I used a Trek Y-Foil for a few months before I sold it. I was so scared of it being stolen that I really didn't ride it often. I sometimes felt my lock weighed more than my bike.

As a daily commuter any bike can work. But since it sounds like you will be doing some utility riding as well as commuting I would be hesitant about possibly leaving an expensive bike locked up for any length of time.

Sure, why not?
I'm no fan of carbon, but as long as you avoid the super thin, uber-light racer stuff, the carbon cx frame should be a durable bike.

Carbon fiber is stronger than steel. But there are different types of strong. A bike is a weight-bearing machine, and in that sense, CF is great. But it has poor impact strength, which is why it's prone to not surviving crashes. ( Although, in fairness, I've totaled an aluminum frame. ) It's great for its intended purpose - riding - but if the wind blew it over while you were getting your lock ready, that could spell curtains.

Carbon is extraordinarily strong but it is much less forgiving than steel, titanium, and even aluminum of those myriad little dings, scratches, etc. Carbon frames can't really be repaired, and when carbon goes, it tends to fail catastrophically. Will that matter? Perhaps not. But if you're really going to use the heck out of this, you may want to get something more resilient.

OTOH, they're making MTBs out of the stuff now. I don't think I'd ever buy one, but it's hardly like I'm over-worried about pampering my carbon road bike.

I think the bigger issue is whether you feel like showcasing the carbon bike to thieves. It will stand out in the crowd.

sure, but only if you have a secure place to keep it

I have a Cannondale Synapse carbon bike. I use it for commuting, and carry my stuff with a backpack. It has no hassles with the commute itself (mostly bike path and sealed road). My problem with using my carbon bike for commuting is that it can't carry a load. You'd be very lucky to find a carbon frame with pannier mounts, which limits you to either a) carrying stuff in one of those small seat post mounted panniers, or b) carrying all your stuff in a backpack.

Backpacks are OK for light loads, but now that I've been commuting for a year, I'm ready to ditch the backpack and get a pannier. That means getting a bike just for commuting. Right now, I'm looking at light alloy road bikes. It'll still be a quick ride, but I'll be able to do it without wearing a backpack. If you plan to use your bike for shopping and transport, I think you might be better off getting an alloy bike with pannier mounts.

:)
Max

If you got money to burn.. they're disposable.

the pro teams get dozens, so can replace them every evening
if signs of damage appear..

and next season ... all new stuff..

Since you are even thinking of carbon which is still sorta pricey, why not consider titanium? Strong and lightweight.

The specific bike I am thinking about is the Velo Vie Versa 300

To quickly note a few things:

1. it has fender and rack mounts (This made me quite giddy)
2. It does not exactly look like carbon with it's paint job (Some level of theft prevention)
3. I am obsessive about locking my bikes and have yet to have one stolen (Knock on wood) so I am not really considering theft as too much of a threat since I do not tend to keep my bikes outside unless I trust the area I am in or I intend to only leave them there for 15 mins max (I assume it will take longer then that for someone to get through a kryptonite lock, I hope)

I also am hoping to have a bike that is road bike race capable so a nice lightweight frame is something I am valuing.

My biggest worry is the thing that slcbob pointed out. I have heard that if you end up doing the right kind of damage to the frame and cause a de-lamination of the carbon the frame is toast. Where I worked one time I also saw a carbon bike that had gotten enough chain suck that the seat stay had actually had the entire first layer of carbon taken off.

That is why I am asking about carbon for the sake o commuting. With the typical scratches and bumps a commuting bike gets how would a CF bike take that you think? I am less worried about what happens when I run into something (Which I assume will damage almost any bike). To how CF holds up to small dings when parked and even the occasional "I stopped and I forgot I was still clipped in" crash.

I actually did consider this and I looked at the Motobecane Fantom Cross Titanium model since it was around the same price tag but people do note it is on the heavier side which I would prefer to avoid for something like road racing

On the note of money this is something that is going to be a graduation gift of sorts. The money to get this bike will be money that I have saved over my years of college (Hard to do) and money that I get at graduation. I am guessing that I can drop around 2000$ on a new bike, and I can fluctuate up a few hundred from there if it looks like a good deal.

I think you are asking too much for one bike. You should get two bikes. One racing and one utility. Spend about $1700 on the racing bike and $300 on the utility (used on c-list).

Carbon frames can be repaired, although I don't know if it's economical. Depending on how the bike got into need of repairs, it's also worth pointing out that if you buy new, you should have a pretty good crash-replacement policy.

I'd be more worried about it surviving cylcocross than I would commuting. I've got a Kona Jake that I use for commuting, cyclocross and road riding. It's been great for all three, but I've beaten the crap out of it.

At a CX clinic I went to recently, the group leader, when asked about the likelihood of component breakage, advised us not to use anything in a race that we couldn't afford to replace. Having one great bike for everything you do is very nice, but if you break it, you have zero bikes.

That said, that does look like a sweet bike.

I do much of my commuting during the season on my Carbon fiber bike. I love it!!!!! I use a backpack and can get my training and commuting in at the same time. As for the nicks dings and de-laminating I advice I was given is to get some clear nail polish for 0.99 cents (or steal from the wife) and paint over the scratches. the dings are not the problem its the potential for de lamination.


I say go for it if you want..... the best thing in my opinion is to have a bike that gets you excited to ride weather the bike is "for" that type of riding or not.

+1 on this. You can get a heck of a bike used to ride on CL if you look and be a bit patient. Nicest bike I have ever owned was a Titanium Lemond I got for $300 used on CL. If you are in a cold climate pawn shops around this time of the year sometimes have some nice deals. You have to know what you are looking for and what a bargain is, but sometimes you can walk out with a hell of a deal. I have done that 3 times and I honestly rarely check that option. 2 bikes isn't crazy it just makes alot of sense.

I think CF bikes are cool....for those with deep pockets.

That ain't you, from the sound of it.

I either find that 200-300 dollar old UJB and bank the rest. and, believe it or not, you can race old steel bikes. it might knock you down a group, but so what. and think of the satisfaction you'd feel dropping lesser riders on their 5000 dollar CF rides.

as for your not having a bike stolen yet, consider the fact that you are thinking of buying much more effective thief bait.

and if you think 15 minutes is not enough time for a good bike thief to make off with it, think again. also think of the limitations a 15 minute limit puts on you.

buy that high quality 300 dollar UJB and spend a little of the rest on gear and bank most of it. you'll find other things to blow money on, trust me.

now go find a decent job so you can buy one of them fancy CF rigs.

Monsterpile: $300 for a Ti Lemond!!! I thought I got a deal on my Buenos Aires for $350. (found in San Diego) I'm very envious of you. Now. I live in the most price inflated Craigslist town in the US. The Bay Area where it is all to common to find entry to mid range steel road bikes from the 80s being priced for $3-400!?!!

Sounds like based on those vintage road bike prices you did really well. Even here that would be a pretty good score. Those bike arepricey compared to here. Most bikes of that ilk are in the $75-$180 range on craigslist and thats tuned up and sometimes really reconditioned new tires cables etc. Its a college town so there are tons of bikes and lots of bike flippers including me. One guy I have dealt with does around 200-300 bikes a year. I often wonder how much he makes. =)

The Lemond is kind of a dream bike for me because of the Ti frame. I never ride it though which is a shame and I have really considered selling it because of that and the cash would be nice to like pay off the car or something. I just don't want to sell it for too little if I do. I had a standing offer for as much as $800 a week ago or so, but I wisely turned it down. A frame and fork went on ebay a couple weeks ago for $600+ not including shipping.

I like your cat pic. It reminds me of a feline I know. =)

+2 on this.

I have a nice CAAD9-4 road bike that I refuse to commute with. It is a pure toy, not really legitimate transportation for me. I hate the idea of locking it up - even in the parking garage at my job - as someone could easily steal parts off of it. A expensive bike should not be used for commuting unless you have a very secure place to store it. Would you leave a laptop sitting out side, even with one of those cable locks attached to it?

I was able to find a Cannondale touring bike for $125 on Craigslist. It is now my commuter. I looked for about 3 months before finding the right bike at the right price. I put about $200 more into it and now have a very practical commuter. It has braze-ons for racks, 32 mm tires for flying over railroad tracks and potholes, and I'll only be out a few hundred bucks if it get stolen or wrecked. Plus, I actually enjoy riding on it, and beating on it a little bit. I shudder at the thought of hopping a curb with my CAAD9, or riding it on gravel, but enjoy doing those things on my much cheaper commuter.

You can get a really nice mid-entry road race bike for $1700. Spend the extra $300 on a Craigslist commuter bike and have the best of both worlds.

i.e. they can't really be repaired. :p Sure it's possible, but it's not especially practical.

Warranties vary greatly by manufacturer. I can't recommend specifics to lean toward or steer clear of, but a) a new bike does not mean you're probably OK, you need to check specifics of the warranty; b) no one will warranty for tons of chips and dings from hard use (I think you appreciate that, SF).

It is indisputable that carbon is less durable than steel / titanium. However, it is very possible that, for many users, it is still plenty durable enough so that doesn't matter. With the OP talking about this being a grocery, school and/or messenger bike, I think it could be a factor to consider. Particularly the messengering.

Titanium or the two bike option seem to offer more piece of mind in the long haul than all-in on one CF bike that you have to think about coddling (perhaps more than you actually have to coddle it).

NO. CF is less resilient to impact than steel, that's true. But to tell anyone that it's likely to break just by falling on the floor, that is ridiculous. Most carbon frames survive most crashes. They are not porcelain, they don't break if you drop them on the ground. There are, as others have pointed out CF MTB and cyclocross bikes. The material will more than stand up to a trip to the shops.

CalfeeDesign claims to have repaired over 2,000 carbon frames.