Vintage Carbon Fiber Frame Still Safe and Usable?
07-22-18, 10:08 AM
#2
Banned
you cannot see delamination from the outside .. good luck , tap wood , cross your fingers, etc.
<only if you bought it new, will you know its history>
Good luck, buying used..
<only if you bought it new, will you know its history>
Good luck, buying used..
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-07-20 at 03:07 PM.
07-22-18, 11:51 AM
#5
~>~
Fear mongering by Luddites is a favorite hobby on the Interweb.
You know the condition and history of your machine. Take the common sense precaution of carefully examining every tube, joint and fitting for de-lamination, stress cracks and anything suspicious looking.
If all looks good carefully re-assemble, test ride w/ increasing loads and if all is well: Have at it.
Having said that if you are concerned about your frames's safety and integrity, don't ride it.
-Bandera
You know the condition and history of your machine. Take the common sense precaution of carefully examining every tube, joint and fitting for de-lamination, stress cracks and anything suspicious looking.
If all looks good carefully re-assemble, test ride w/ increasing loads and if all is well: Have at it.
Having said that if you are concerned about your frames's safety and integrity, don't ride it.
-Bandera
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07-22-18, 01:24 PM
#7
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@Bandera has good advice. Inspect it visually, stress it a little by hand, build it, ride it cautiously and then enjoy.
I ride a 16 year old carbon fork with 60,000 miles on it. An acquaintance rode a carbon frame for 170,000 miles over a decade.
-Tim-
07-22-18, 03:25 PM
#9
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I think they should be ok since many CF frames were meant for high end use. Even vintage CF frames weigh less than many modern steel frames.
07-22-18, 06:14 PM
#12
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Only 17 years old...
I think you need to let it age for a couple more years before taking it out for a ride. It is far too new.
I think you need to let it age for a couple more years before taking it out for a ride. It is far too new.
07-23-18, 08:01 AM
#13
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Wow. Have we really already arrived at the point where CF bikes can be considered “vintage”?
Dan
Dan
07-23-18, 08:26 AM
#14
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I had a friend who rode one of the lugged style carbon frames that were initially built. I can't remember the brand. Probably giant or raleigh. They have straight carbon tubes bonded inside aluminum lugs.
The bike is not going to break. It's just a flexy piece of mush.
Sometimes we retire stuff due to ride quality, not safety. It's not an age thing but a design thing. I don't think that bike was ever good.
At 17 years though, your carbon bike is a lot newer than the style I'm talking about and hopefully a much better ride.
The bike is not going to break. It's just a flexy piece of mush.
Sometimes we retire stuff due to ride quality, not safety. It's not an age thing but a design thing. I don't think that bike was ever good.
At 17 years though, your carbon bike is a lot newer than the style I'm talking about and hopefully a much better ride.
07-23-18, 11:22 AM
#15
Senior Member
Mine is 30 years old. I rude it once a week. I think it's vintage Carbon. Yep, aluminum lugs, carbon tubes.
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07-23-18, 04:42 PM
#17
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07-23-18, 04:47 PM
#18
~>~
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07-23-18, 07:05 PM
#19
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My '07 carbon Roubaix is still going strong. Riding better than ever with a wheel upgrade. The aluminum Mavic rim cracked after 10 years around the spoke nipples, so I picked up a set of Reynolds Stratus Elite - great wheels. Transformed the bike. Frame hasn't exploded yet.
07-25-18, 12:05 PM
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Keep in mind what CF bikes are. They are CF reinforced plastic, and plastic gets brittle in its old age. Unlike metal it fails instantly. As usual Im sure I will get push back on this, but I am a realist.
07-25-18, 03:19 PM
#21
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07-25-18, 04:14 PM
#22
~>~
Actually if one reads the threads you start over and over again on why Diamond Frame Bikes Are Health Hazards, Rim Brakes Are Unsafe, Cycling Kit Is a Waste of $$$, Too Many Gears, Riding Fast is Stupid, Roadies are Snobs and now CF Bikes are Plastic "realist" is not the term that springs to mind.
-Bandera
-Bandera
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07-25-18, 07:29 PM
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Actually if one reads the threads you start over and over again on why Diamond Frame Bikes Are Health Hazards, Rim Brakes Are Unsafe, Cycling Kit Is a Waste of $$$, Too Many Gears, Riding Fast is Stupid, Roadies are Snobs and now CF Bikes are Plastic "realist" is not the term that springs to mind.
-Bandera
-Bandera
07-26-18, 09:00 AM
#24
Senior Member
A close friend of mine recently brought me a carbon fiber bike that he found at a suburban New Jersey garbage dump. It's a near complete 2008 Fuji Team 10 speed. Only missing the wheels, seat, & crank arms. I stripped it down to the bare frame in my shop. Clean and polished frame. Carefully examined & tested frame for possible damage & could not find any faults. It's all back together now. Just need to put the tires on. Do you think it's safe to ride?
09-06-20, 07:18 PM
#25
Senior Member
Carbon as a classic 1986 production and still riding like new
1
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