When can I use carbon?

[Wobblers]

Doesn't carbon dissolve in the rain?

You'll be fine. Take it out and enjoy yourself! Admittedly, it may be a while before I'm out on my carbon bike - but that's only because it doesn't have mudguards and I'm too lazy to clean it!

 

[MacB]

and when you've finished with it simply pop it in the recyling bin

you make it sound oh so easy but which bin? eh? not so smart now are you

 

[snailracer]

If you ride in the rain or dark, you could crash and the carbon will shatter.
If you ride during the day, the UV rays will eat the CF.
So I'm afraid it has to be indoors, on rollers.

 

[Zoiders]

Carbon was suposed to change cycling and the way mass produced bikes were made, instead it became a boutique toy.

When the price points fall I want a carbon winter bike and something steel for the summer, riding a nice steel bike in winter when it can rust and keeping the plastic one for dry days is a bit arse about tit.

It's like keeping that sarong and the flip flops handy for when it snows.

 

[vorsprung]

The carbon frame is pretty much unaffected by the dirt and wet on the roads in winter.
But if it is a nice bike it probably has a nice groupset on it.
The chainrings, cassette, chain etc will get extra wear from riding on horrible roads

As long as you don't mind a bit of extra cleaning it's not much bother though

 

[threebikesmcginty]

...riding a nice steel bike in winter when it can rust and keeping the plastic one for dry days is a bit arse about tit.

It's like keeping that sarong and the flip flops handy for when it snows.

I'd go along with that - I wouldn't want to take my old Wilson steel bike out in filthy weather. I'd be happy to with a plazzy one, not that I've got one or even tried one - when I get a fancy bike it'll be titanium.

 

[itboffin]

Took my carbon ribble out today for it's first ride since Sept last year, what a joy, pure pleasure every minute, made me wonder why I don't ride it all the time, after all bikes are for riding aren't they ...?