The Carbon Fiber Bike Tradeoff – Light Weight But Easily Damaged
July 30, 2009 by Robert
In any competitive sport, equipment frequently becomes crucial, and that's very true of cycling sports. Carbon Fiber Bikes provide that lighter weight sought after, but there are tradeoffs. Here's a discussion that sheds light on the topic.
Exactly How Unbreakable Is A Carbon Fiber Bike?
There is a common misconception that Carbon Fiber Bikes are made and built for toughness and strength as well as for reduced weight. Wrong!. The truth about products made from carbon fiber is that they are extremely lightweight and are manufactured in various shapes and designs, the actual toughness of the carbon fiber material can be broken quite easily.
If you are serious regarding using carbon fiber parts for your bike, or are a serious road racing cyclist you will know that limiting the equipment weight means everything when it comes to competitive sports. By buying a carbon fiber part it will make a definite difference to the overall speed also also the effectiveness of your cycle and hopefully give you with an edge against the other racers.
If your carbon fiber frame on your new Carbon Fiber Bike gets even a deep scratch or gouge due to a fall, it can render the bike damaged beyond repair. A break or crack will mean that the cycle is probably best disposed of. Carbon fiber can be repaired, but due to the way and method that the material is shaped and made uniquely to the shape and design of the frame, it will never be as rigid as before.
If the tubing gets a crack or split, this will become the weakest point in the bike frame and will then produce additional stress which can then make the frame to crack open. You will definitely not be able to ride the bike on a down hill trail or over any bumpy terrain again.
Those who are not a serious cyclist, you might think about buying a cheaper "combination frame" such as a carbon fiber and aluminum mix which will give you the benefits of the bike being lighter, but will also give you a bike frame with a greater strength overall. If you bought a product such as a carbon fiber pump, you will find that it is not made from carbon fiber and that it is actually a hybrid produced to make it lighter but also stronger.




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