Frame longevity

[jimbut]

What sort of lifespan can a fitness rider expect from a carbon frame ? I am absolutely bricking it over a carbon bike ( C/Dale Supersix ) which I have just purchased. You open up the guarantee / instruction manual to be greeted with the info that you have selected a frame for its performance characteristics rather than its lifespan ! Holy God, what have I done ? Is this thing gonna crumple under me 5 years down the line ?
Yours
Very Concerned All Of A Sudden.

 

[Chris James]

I think this is an unanswerable question.

Steel frames have probably a century of use behind them so you could make a decent prediction about that. Carbon frames are relatively new, their performance depends a lot on the method of lay up, fibres used, thickness etc

However, there is no reason to suppose that it won't last effectively forever assuming you don't damage it. Unless you have a crash, don't worry about it.

 

[jayce]

I just bought a carbon frame just before christmas i hope it lasts for a long time ,i clean it every time i use it with brunox carbon care so im hoping for a good few years out of it

 

[PpPete]

..... their performance depends a lot on the method of lay up, fibres used, thickness etc

Chris - the fibres are CARBON mate, hence the name. But lay up is certainly crucial, as is the resin used to bond the fibres together.

As we both know carbon fibre is now used on components that are critical to the safety of flight of some very very large aircraft - which are designed for 20+ years service.

Question is was the OP's frame designed with a 20 year life span?

I'm sure it can be done but a conventional tubular diamond frame is not really the easiest structure to get the most out of the properties of CF.

 

[jimbut]

I suppose I`m asking here about people`s experience of carbon bikes generally. If you ride a carbon frame, how long have you had that frame with as yet no problems ? Just as a by the by, I`d be reasonably content to think I`d get up to 10 years from my frame ( obviously barring any actual accidents ! ).

 

[fossyant]

Anything can fail - if you look after it, don't go dropping it on sharp edges with force, it will be fine.

The only thing I'd be bothered about is if the frame did not have a replaceable mech hanger - but I think most carbon/alloy frames do.

PS Nice bike !!