Worried about CF
 

So, I remember reading on these very same forums about how carbon fiber will melt or spontaneously combust if left out in the sun for too long. Now I'm worried as my PF is in the back of the car and, as I was walking away from it, I noticed the sun was beating down on the rear triangle. Should I go move my car? Open the windows perhaps?

What is the mechanism I need to protect from? Is it the UV light (A or B) or the heat?

I should mention that it is somewhat cool out, about 34 deg., but it's expected to be about 43 deg. later!

Of course, my frame is the most susceptible to this as it was made in China! Someone please tell me what to do!

Signed fretting in Detroit.:D

If its still safe just get it out of the car, you have already lost the bike, you don't want it exploding in the car and needing to redo the entire interior. Sorry for your loss.

Just lather it with some SPF 30. No neeed for 45 it's just overkill and that would just be plain silly...

Sorry to tell you that your car has been contaminated as well.

What does your guitar have to do with this? :rolleyes:

A good question. Detroit as you know is one of the hottest cities in the world because of its lattitude...even hotter then Arizona in the middle of summer. Since I too am from there, I put sunscreen on my bike, SPF 30 works pretty well. I would suggest you crack a window but in that town, a good chance the window will be broken anyway and the bike stolen...so suggest you just ride it like ya stole it.
Good Luck,
George

Hmm. Good thoughts. There is a Target across the street. Should I get one of the "sport" sunscreens or will any be sufficient?

Of course this is also what I'm worried about...bvfrompc

You left your bike in your car in Detroit....

No worries about the carbon exploding...

Because someone took it out of your car for you...

I should probably say "Detroit area," I'm actually in suburbia.:)

Although, while I was at school in Detroit proper, I used to leave the doors to the Fiero GT unlocked and parked on the street, but, unfortunately, I still have it...:D

While you're at the department store, don't bother with the sunscreen, just get a backup.

I once saw CF spontaneously turn into ball lightning.

UV light degrades several polymers, and the ones that your bike matrix is made out of could be one of them. I don't know how much UV light your glass blocks (if memory serves, it should be most of it), but if you're worried, throw a towel over it.

Chances are that your bike polymers were cured at a temperature well over 100F. If it was summer, I might suggest you crack a window, but I wouldn't worry about it AT ALL today.

Except for the car thieves who will throw your bike in a dumpster.

I would think you can safely paint your bike with a can a spray paint to protect the carbon fiber.
This will protect it from the suns harmful rays.
As for the heat I believe you will alway need to keep you bike indoors with AC of course.

Of course you are and so am I...why we have computers and road bikes.
As to your Fiero GT...only a quick side bar. Being a Detroit suburb kid growing up in the hey day of the auto industry, street racing was pretty popular as you know. Ever been to the woodward Dream cruise? Anyway...a few years ago, I pulled up next to a Fiero GT in my M3 and as you know Fiero's even with the V6 weren't the fastest. But....I could tell this wasn't a run of the mill Fiero GT. As it turned out, it had a warmed up LS-1 motor in it. I chatted briefly with the owner at the light and we agreed to have some fun so we took off and my M3 is pretty quick..maybe a high 13 second car but that Fiero just ran from me....likely a low 12 second car.
Anyway, some Detroit musings. Too windy to ride here today. May do Stoney this weekend.
Cheers,
George

hilarious. CF is cured at ~280F, but withstands temps much higher after curing.

you guys know this is just a troll? right?

Ya think?
;)

If you toss it and as it is skipping down the pavement, you see sparks, it has lost its tensile strength and could be toxic to small animals...

carbon fiber irritates lesbians.

Frame is likely worthless at this point. At least you have a nice set of components.

You might want to take the opportunity to try out a new frame material. For frame durability, pound for pound, nothing really beats iron. It'll last forever, as long as you keep it free from moisture, and it makes for fun hilly descents.

You can't baby those fibers too much. Maybe add a LOX cooling system to the frame for those really warm days. . . .

i know who this person is & they're definately not a troll.

Bike Lover: don't worry about your frame.

Rust is always the enemy. I advocate concrete-clad rebar as the frame material of the future.

I'm more worried that you live in Detroit. ;)

Ahhhh....Detroit...a city so bad it was the perfect setting for a movie about a robotic supercop.

http://www.mikeantonucci.com/uploade...cop-792844.bmp

Okay. What the H*ll is the point of a "carbon fiber wrapped aluminum road frame"?

I suggest you wait till you get back and then try the frame out.
If you ride in it (getting in and out of the saddle) and the frame snaps, let us know a few things:
a) your weight
b) temperature the bike was at in the car and for how long
c) force with which your behind hit the saddle when the bike fell apart
d) was it an american or european swallow?

If it doesn't break, then leave it in the car and record a higher temperature. When it does break, share your results with us!

(I'd totally buy this from Wally World)