4 ms·
Steel has a better failure story than carbon fiber. Many impacts that would shatter a carbon fiber frame, dangerous to the rider, will only bend a steel one. Ca
by schwartzworld 3y ago
Steel has a better failure story than carbon fiber. Many impacts that would shatter a carbon fiber frame, dangerous to the rider, will only bend a steel one. Carbon fiber makes sense for a racing bike, but for street riding I'll stick with steel.
- cameronh90 3y agoA friend of mine was nearly killed on a carbon fibre frame that just tore itself apart while going up a hill and threw him into the road, unconscious. I would never touch one for street riding.
- NegativeK 3y agoThis is incredibly uncommon. While horrifying for your friend, it's very low on the list of the risks that come with bikes.
- schwartzworld 3y agoIt might be less uncommon than you think. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/bikes-and-biking/carbon-fiber-bike-accidents-lawsuits/ https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/bikes-and-biking/...
- cameronh90 3y agoI don’t know how common it is, but why would you take that risk on the road for a couple kg of weight savings? If you’re racing competitively that’s one thing, but is it worth it on the commute?
- Aaronstotle 3y agoWas the frame damaged before? I have ridden 4k miles on my carbon road bike and I've never felt like it was going to fall apart. I ride road/street almost exclusively, and the Bay Area roads don't do my bike any favors
- vel0city 3y agoCarbon fiber frames can be challenging to see the cracks and damages to it before it spectacularly fails. There's a good chance you won't know it is about to break until it shatters.
- cameronh90 3y agoNope. As far as he knew it was in complete working order with no suggestion it was about to fail catastrophically until he woke up on the floor.
- int_19h 3y agoAny material under stress gets fatigued. The problem with carbon fiber specifically is that there are practically no visible signs of it reaching the threshold.
- bumby 3y agoSome materials (steel and titanium being the most common) have infinite fatigue limits. They can be designed to not get fatigued.