Adrianinkc

So I'm on the verge of taking a plunge into a carbon bike and I'm pretty nervous about it. First off im a big guy I am 6ft 240, am I too heavy ? 2. I was reading something about rock chips need to be repaired immediately if the carbon is exposed is this a common problem ? 3. Car rack do I need to do anything different to it or get another one ? (I have a saris trunk rack.) 4. Being that the bike I'm looking at has a matte finish would that help it against scratches or rock chips ?

BetweenRides

You will be fine. Your weight is not an issue, Durable frame, will work in any normal bike rack. Scratches or chips will be the same as the paint on any other bike, so get a color you like.

2ndGen

1) Buy a "good" carbon bike from a reputable manufacturer and you'll be alright.

2) Chips won't make your bike fall apart.

3) You should baby any bike you mount on a car rack, carbon or not.
Use something to wrap around the tubes if you clamp directly on them.

4) Only a clear coat on any finish "might" help out with a chip.

If you want a piece of art to hang on wall, buy a picture.
If you want to ride something, don't stress out it getting the patina of the road.
Just ride it, keep it clean and enjoy the heck out of it.

To me, a pristine bike is the sign of someone who either rides their bike on a trainer or track or who just doesn't ride it enough.

kh6idf

I just started riding my first carbon bike a few months ago. I don't think 240 is too heavy for the frame (check if the mfr has any weight limits on the bike) but you would want to be sure you have an adequate set of wheels. As far as repairing paint chips, I found this on a blog called "The Cycle Way":

On another note, Carbon Fiber is also Hygroscopic (absorbs water), therefore if you get a chip in your paint/gel coat get it fixed ASAP, as this also can have detrimental affects to the strength of your frame. Water absorption can cause a corrosion cell to form on those bikes that are glued together to aluminum lugs, or have aluminum lugs as strengthening members under the carbon fiber. I’ve had 3 TREK OLCV 5500 frames replaced for this reason alone.

I notice I can see the bare carbon of my steerer tube through a cutout where the stem clamps on to it (stem is made by 3T) but since it came this way from the manufacturer (Cervelo) I am assuming it is OK.

And of course if there is any damage that visibly damages the carbon fiber weave itself that would require a thorough inspection at the dealer to determine if a repair is needed. Basically the carbon frames are quite strong and will last as long as any other frame material if they are properly cared for and not crashed / damaged. But you do have to take extra care to not let anything damage the frame as they are more susceptible to impacts and forces other than those normally encountered while riding the bike. The higher price of the bike usually ensures you will be more careful with it!

But so far I am happy with my carbon bike. In addition to the light weight, it has a very nice ride, smoothing out some of the road vibration.

And you do need to use a rack designed for carbon bikes, you can not use one that clamps onto the top tube, or at least you need some additional protection when doing that. I put my bike inside my hatchback car.

roadiejorge 

or someone who takes very good care of their bike.

jdon

Correct.

kimconyc

Don't hate. I will wager 10:1 that most Ferrari owners do not regularly (as in at least once a month) take their car--or at least one of them--out to the track and there is completely nothing wrong with that.

jdon

No, you are not too heavy.
Look after rock chips. I have always used automotive clearcoat.
I am not a fan of any rack that clamps the frame regardless of frame material.

CF bikes are a lot tougher than some would have you believe. As stated above, buy a good frame from a reputable builder. You won't have problems. Well, as long as it is made in the USA. Kidding on that last part.

kimconyc

There is nothing wrong with owning a race bike and not racing it--after all, this is the 41, so if you are here, you are screwed anyway.

OP, you will be fine, although I would think a glossy finish is easier to touch-up with nail polish.

Adrianinkc

Thanks guys.

Here is the bike rack I have.
https://www.saris.com/index.php?page=...hk=1&Itemid=57

The bike is a Trek 4.5 madone. Here is a pic of the bike.

curbtender

I've been riding carbon bikes for five years at + or -#260 with no frame problems. I bought a bike that was run over by a car in the garage for parts. I took a hammer to different parts of the frame to see how well they held up. You really have to nail it to even get a crack.

jdon

Not frame related, but make sure you get some weight appropriate wheels. If you are buying from an LBS, now is the time to negotiate an upgrade if needed.

Adrianinkc

Haven't had much problem with wheels just spokes. Broke two in 5 months on the 1.5

roccobike

Yup, Saris Bones. I have that rack as well. I have two CF bikes and both get hauled around on the Bones for the last three years. The only time my Giant received a significant scratch was one of the times I did NOT use the Bones and put the bike inside the back of the car. I've never had a single problem using the Saris rack. I did take some old socks, cut them and wrapped them around the base of the straps where the bike rests when strapped in. That's a little OT as no one else I know takes this precaution.
I have many freinds using other racks and they have had some horror stories like the straps coming loose and the bike falling off on the interstate, forgetting the bike was on the roof rack and driving into the garage, but I have never heard of a problem with the Saris Bones.

Adrianinkc

Thanks. Great idea on the socks.

StanSeven

Yep. People critical of CF keep ignoring the fact that cars, boats and airplanes are made of the material.

ciocc_cat

Yes, bikes tend to last a lot longer if you take good care of them. I'm still riding my Ciocc San Cristobal that I originally built-up in 1986.

2ndGen

I can't imagine a bike that is ridden in other than controlled conditions that "doesn't" have any sign of wear.

Flip your bike, take a pic and post it!

2ndGen

Y I gotta be hatin'?
Is a "track" bike a "road" bike?
I'm sure a road bike can be ridden on a track, but take either (track or road) bike on the road and what happens?
Road debris will get to your paint. Unless (again) you only ride in controlled conditions.



Is your bike perfect (without a scratch/chip/scar/blemish)?

2ndGen

Why are all you prooftexters completely ignoring this part of my post?

"Just ride it, keep it clean and enjoy the heck out of it."

Inertianinja

carbon fiber is not plastic.
it will not shatter.
it is insanely strong.
it is understandable to be nervous about it because most of your life experience with materials involved strength being correlated with weight.
CF = technology. enjoy it!

Grumpy McTrumpy

depends on how you define plastic.

the stuff they usually make bikes from is epoxy, reinforced with carbon fiber. That does not mean it's weak.

ciocc_cat

Photo below taken early this past summer. I built up my Ciocc in April 1986 and it easily has over 10,000 miles on it. Granted it wasn't ridden for about 17 years (1992 to 2009), but bikes can suffer as much from dings and scratches when they're leaning against a wall in a back room as on the road. My Ciocc isn't "pristine", but it looks "almost new" and I get a lot of compliments on it.

Shimagnolo

"Carbon fiber has many different weave patterns and can be combined with a plastic resin and wound or molded to form composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (also referenced as carbon fiber) to provide a high strength-to-weight ratio material."

Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_fiber

2ndGen

I'll assume that the overwhelming majority of those 10K were "not" on a trainer or on a track?