Tips for looking after Carbon bike frames
Let’s face it the majority of road bike frames produced now are made of Carbon fibre and Mountain bikes are heading down the same path. Chosen for its excellent strength to weight ratio’s it has very different qualities than steel, aluminium and titanium, and therefore requires some different considerations when looking after your frame.
Your carbon frame is basically made up of a Carbon fibre fabric compressed and held in its shape by a cured epoxy resin. While metal and carbon frames can show similar signs of damage like cracks and gouges, Carbon will not show damage as a dent or bend. An impact to a carbon frame can cause unseen damage to the link between the resin and fibres resulting in a larger failure waiting to happen without warning.
Now that I’ve got you worried…take a deep breath and read on.
I have over 15 years experience repairing and making aerospace parts out of Carbon fibre and repairing bike frames for over 10 years so I’ve seen my fair share of damage and how it occurred.
Here are my tips on how to look after your frame till the next big thing in materials comes along.
1. Clean your bike regularly because as well as cleaning you are generally inspecting at the same time and will notice any irregularities. Note that there are not any different cleaners necessary for Carbon frames. They are painted or clear coated with the same products as metal frames so don’t use solvents. 2. Abide by manufacturers torque settings, found in manuals and sometimes on the components near the fastener itself. Ideally purchase a torque wrench if you expect to be doing a lot of adjustments otherwise be very careful. 3. When removing and refitting parts make sure they are clean with no burrs or sharp spots. 4. Always try and eliminate the chances of any object impacting the frame when transporting, storing and parking. As explained above bumps and bangs can cause unnoticeable damage. Also be aware of handlebars and controls swinging around and impacting the top tube of your frame which can be hard due to your personal ergonomics. Road bikes- its better for the bar end not to be at a height that could rotate around and hit the top tube. Mountain bikes- it’s the shifters and levers position that can rotate around and hit or gouge the top tube. 5. Frequently inspect your carbon frame and components for any gouges, deep scratches, cracks, loose fibres or other surface cracks and if you have any concerns take it into your local bike shop or even contact me for some advice.
Your carbon frame is basically made up of a Carbon fibre fabric compressed and held in its shape by a cured epoxy resin. While metal and carbon frames can show similar signs of damage like cracks and gouges, Carbon will not show damage as a dent or bend. An impact to a carbon frame can cause unseen damage to the link between the resin and fibres resulting in a larger failure waiting to happen without warning.
Now that I’ve got you worried…take a deep breath and read on.
I have over 15 years experience repairing and making aerospace parts out of Carbon fibre and repairing bike frames for over 10 years so I’ve seen my fair share of damage and how it occurred.
Here are my tips on how to look after your frame till the next big thing in materials comes along.
1. Clean your bike regularly because as well as cleaning you are generally inspecting at the same time and will notice any irregularities. Note that there are not any different cleaners necessary for Carbon frames. They are painted or clear coated with the same products as metal frames so don’t use solvents. 2. Abide by manufacturers torque settings, found in manuals and sometimes on the components near the fastener itself. Ideally purchase a torque wrench if you expect to be doing a lot of adjustments otherwise be very careful. 3. When removing and refitting parts make sure they are clean with no burrs or sharp spots. 4. Always try and eliminate the chances of any object impacting the frame when transporting, storing and parking. As explained above bumps and bangs can cause unnoticeable damage. Also be aware of handlebars and controls swinging around and impacting the top tube of your frame which can be hard due to your personal ergonomics. Road bikes- its better for the bar end not to be at a height that could rotate around and hit the top tube. Mountain bikes- it’s the shifters and levers position that can rotate around and hit or gouge the top tube. 5. Frequently inspect your carbon frame and components for any gouges, deep scratches, cracks, loose fibres or other surface cracks and if you have any concerns take it into your local bike shop or even contact me for some advice.
6. If you do suspect an impact but there are no visual signs, here’s an easy test to check your frame. Use a coin to tap the suspect area of the frame listening for a dull sound compared to a nice hard sound. Bit hard to describe the right sound so if you tap the frame all over you will get in tune with it and definitely notice a dull area.
7. Be careful when using work stands. Don’t clamp anywhere on the frame, if it clamps around the seat post and it’s a carbon one the clamping loads necessary to hold the bike can be high and cause damage. I would suggest getting a cheap aluminium seat post to use for clamping purposes.
8. Never drill holes in any carbon frame or part with out seeking professional advice.
9. When sizing handlebars, seat posts or fork tubes ideally wrap the cut area in tape and use a fine tooth hacksaw blade or abrasive type bade. This avoids tearing and splintering of the fibres. If you stuff up measuring and cut too short contact me as there can be a fix.
10. The seat collar that clamps the Seat post should be orientated with collar slot opposite to the seat tube slot.
11. Always check sizes of any components that clamp around any other carbon part for compatibility and roundness.
12. If installing headset cups use an alignment tool or be very careful to press them in square.
13. Chipped paint should be addressed as soon as possible with touch up paint or clear nail polish and don’t forget a paint chip would probably have been caused by an impact so get the coin out and give the area a tap check. ( Tip #6)14. If repainting the whole frame prepare by light sanding only never abrasive blast or use paint striper on Carbon.
15. Look over the frame and components checking for areas that cabling are rubbing, especially around the head tube. Use some plastic scuff tape to protect these areas.
16. Carbon wheels, use specific brake pads and don’t ride on a flat tire. Also be careful using tire levers and stick to plastic ones. Keep an eye on the spoke tensions as well because carbon rims are so stiff they rarely run out of true and loose spokes can go undetected.