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"Carbon Fiber Wrapped"

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"Carbon Fiber Wrapped"

Old 06-13-07, 07:43 AM
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kill.cactus
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"Carbon Fiber Wrapped"

https://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5585799

If you look at the description on that bike (which is an X-mart bike... ewww)
you'll see that its frame is aluminum "wrapped in carbon fiber".
What does this mean? Is this a common construction method or is this
just some way to add on a tiny amount of CF to make the bike look novel
and good?
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Old 06-13-07, 07:45 AM
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Yup... CF wrapped around Al for a little added bling.

It might not work any better, but at least it's more expensive.
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Old 06-13-07, 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by kill.cactus
https://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5585799

If you look at the description on that bike (which is an X-mart bike... ewww)
you'll see that its frame is aluminum "wrapped in carbon fiber".
What does this mean? Is this a common construction method or is this
just some way to add on a tiny amount of CF to make the bike look novel
and good?
you got it
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Old 06-13-07, 07:46 AM
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Old 06-13-07, 07:48 AM
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A common construction technique but not used on frames as much as seatposts and handlebars, stems etc.

There are many who will trash this as a poor mans way of getting a CF look. But, I have a Felt branded(made by ITM) carbon wrap handlebar and it is the best I have ever used. LIght and stiff with the added bling of the cf wrap. Mfgs. claim the cf dampens vibrations.

The wally mart bike has been covered in several posts.
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Old 06-13-07, 08:41 AM
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several seatposts do this.
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Old 06-13-07, 08:51 AM
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The concept, as oilman gave an example of, is to utilize the best properties of both materials. The stiffness of Al and the dampening of the CF. Supposedly, if this is done correctly, the Al is much thinner than traditional all Al components, and the CF reinforces it.

I don't know how well it works in the real world but it typically results in a slightly heavier component than either traditional method (assuming higher-end stuff).
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Old 06-13-07, 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by oilman_15106
A common construction technique but not used on frames as much as seatposts and handlebars, stems etc.

There are many who will trash this as a poor mans way of getting a CF look. But, I have a Felt branded(made by ITM) carbon wrap handlebar and it is the best I have ever used. LIght and stiff with the added bling of the cf wrap. Mfgs. claim the cf dampens vibrations.

The wally mart bike has been covered in several posts.
I think it's safe to say that the CF on this frame has nothing to do with careful engineering or optimizing ride quality. I agree that some reputable manufacturers mix the materials, but I don't think this is one of those cases.
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Old 06-13-07, 08:56 AM
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Oh BS...CF wrapped parts are heavier than aluminum parts, and no stronger.
They are just a way to sell aluminum parts with the CF "look". Purely cosmetic. Same deal as buying Cf stickers at Pep boys and plastering your '89 Honda.
 
Old 06-13-07, 09:34 AM
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Sadly even some Ritchey carbon parts are this way.
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Old 06-13-07, 10:48 AM
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They're trying to sell this 700c Schwinn Varsity Carbon Fiber Road Bike and hope no one notices it's still just aluminum.
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Old 06-13-07, 01:11 PM
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"Shipping weight: 30 lbs"...
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Old 06-13-07, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Zouf
"Shipping weight: 30 lbs"...
I'm sure it's not light but the 30 lbs. likely includes the box and foam.
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Old 06-13-07, 01:25 PM
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haven't we gone over this before?
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Old 06-13-07, 01:27 PM
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Old 06-13-07, 01:57 PM
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Funny ****.
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Old 06-13-07, 03:20 PM
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At my local P-Mart they have an R660 frame (AL w/ carbon fork/stays) - the sign on it says "Carbon Frame".
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Old 06-13-07, 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by DocRay
Oh BS...CF wrapped parts are heavier than aluminum parts, and no stronger.
They are just a way to sell aluminum parts with the CF "look". Purely cosmetic. Same deal as buying Cf stickers at Pep boys and plastering your '89 Honda.

Dr. Ray needs to spend less time at pep boys sucking vapors out of the upholstery.

ITM has been making CF wrapped components for quite a few years, you can't get them at walmart but my ITM CF wrapped seatpost comes in under 250g and I never have to worry about crushing it at the seat post clamp with a mere 9nm of torque (like my last FSA CF seatpost).
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Old 06-13-07, 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Ernesto Schwein
Dr. Ray needs to spend less time at pep boys sucking vapors out of the upholstery.

ITM has been making CF wrapped components for quite a few years, you can't get them at walmart but my ITM CF wrapped seatpost comes in under 250g and I never have to worry about crushing it at the seat post clamp with a mere 9nm of torque (like my last FSA CF seatpost).
Exactly. There are times were blending aluminum and carbon can be better than either of the two materials alone. but in the case of this bike its just looks.
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Old 06-13-07, 05:36 PM
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If you think carbon-wrapped Alu is bad, how about that Special Edition 'white carbon' Pinarello Paris? Yeah, pay a premium for it, and find out the cosmetic top layer of carbon fiber is actually fiberglass! There is no such thing as white carbon fiber.

Watch out for Selcof products too. Their carbon fiber stem and posts are just wrapped Alu. On the posts its easy to tell as you can just look at the bottom (check for silver on the inner diameter).
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Old 06-13-07, 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Yup... CF wrapped around Al for a little added bling.

It might not work any better, but at least it's more expensive.
Not to mention heavier than straight alloy!
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Old 06-14-07, 01:08 AM
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I asked about one of these carbon-wrapped Wiliers a while ago (not the one pictured, but the exact same model). I didn't end up buying it. https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/272957-please-tell-me-about-carbon-wrapped-easton-scandium.html

Rad said:

Originally Posted by Rad
I think the lack of response is indicative of the real answer - it's probably great but may have been a little ahead of it's time. And Wilier, though a very well respected builder of frames, certainly wasn't in a position to put big dollars into marketing it.

On a bigger scale, the same thing has kind of happened with the Lemond Spine Series frames. Everybody who rode them seemed to love them and even with a much larger marketing effort, they never really caught on to the level where it was worth it for Trek to continue building them.

I have a scandium frame with a carbon fork and carbon seatstays and I love it. Light and lively are the 2 words I use most often to describe it. Given my experience with the materials and Wilier's reputation, I'd probably take a good look at this frame if it's priced right.

Good luck.
and skinny said:


Originally Posted by Skinny
Merckx did this for stiffness on the chainstays of a model a few years ago. I like the idea. Theoretically allows a frame to be built lighter and stiffer, theoretically. I don't think anyone is marketing it much for what it could really do though, which is dampen road shock.
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Old 06-14-07, 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by kill.cactus
https://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5585799

If you look at the description on that bike (which is an X-mart bike... ewww)
you'll see that its frame is aluminum "wrapped in carbon fiber".
What does this mean? Is this a common construction method or is this
just some way to add on a tiny amount of CF to make the bike look novel
and good?
What's funnier is when they just apply a carbon fiber 'look-alike' decal or finish to parts. I have a cheap seat on my like this.
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