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Cycling Gear: 2004 carbon bike's structural wear and tear

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Membernfeht
    • CommentTimeSep 6th 2009
     
    nfeht

    I've been looking into buying a 2004 trek 5000.  I know from rowing that overtime the strength of carbon fiber can weaken.  Many boats after 4 years are not nearly as strong or stiff as when they were new.  I'm wondering how true this is for bikes.  They dont take the levels of force exerted in rowing however they do take a beating over the years.  I want to make sure that the frame will have years of rideing left in it, (for rideing not racing). 

     To get an idea of the usage I give a bike. I often ride 30-60miles solo at speeds of 15-20mph on a 33lb 30yr old raleigh.

    • CommentAuthorFree Membernolllies
    • CommentTimeSep 8th 2009
     
    nolllies
    I used to work at a bicycle shop and although my shop never sold Trek bikes, I can tell you that you should find out how it was produced. Carbon technologies have improved recently. If you were to buy a 2009 carbon bike it would almost certainly be a monocoque frame, meaning that the materials were put into a single mold and a full frame came out. This is contrasted against a lugged or bonded construction which would use several molds to construct individual pieces which would later be attached to complete a frame. If a carbon frame is treated well and still ends up with problems it is usually because of problems at these seams. The other problem that a well-treated but heavily used carbon frame might encounter is degradation to the clear coat on the exterior of the frame resulting from an excess of exposure to UV rays. This is usually nothing more than a cosmetic issue, but it does look pretty hideous. On occasion somebody will claim that the sunlight is making his bike delaminate, but that is more likely the result of manufacturer error. Once again, newer frames will be better at dealing with this issue
  3.  
    michaelwright12
    I ride a 2004 Trek 5000. I bought it brand new in '04 and have ridden it since. It probably has total 3000 miles on it, and it still looks and acts new. To answer the question about monocoque frame, the '04 Trek 5000 is just that. It is one piece, no molding and no seams, and very smooth. I have been riding it much more this past summer than I ever have, and it still rides like new. My suggestion would be to take the bike for a test ride first, if that is possible, and feel it out. Personally, I love the bike and am very happy with my purchase.
    • CommentAuthorFree Membermbeels
    • CommentTimeSep 12th 2009
     
    mbeels

    Sounds like you already got some good responses. Carbon fiber manufacturing techniques have improved significantly over the years, with monocoque being the latest and greatest.

    Wow, going from a 33 lb, 30 year old steel Raleigh, the difference will be unbelievable. When I switched from an aluminum Trek 1000 to carbon Scott CR1, the improvement was significant, but I think the biggest difference came from the better components, Shimano 105, 10sp, double crank instead of Sora triple, and better lighter wheels (Ksyrium Elite compared to Alex rims).

    The carbon is definitely nice, but I "interact" with the frame through the components. I think I'd rather have an aluminum frame with better components and wheels, then a carbon frame with older or lower quality parts.

    Anyway, just my opinion.

    Enjoy! Marten

  5.  
    drobertson133
    UV rays do cause degradation of the resin materials used to mend the carbon strands (just ask Boeing about unprotected engine lip skins) however a proper manufacturing process would address this by coating the exposed material with a UV resistant coating such as paint or a UV resistant clear coat.  As for the durability of a carbon fiber assembly. Bonded joints can and should be stronger than unbonded open surfaces. If done properly, following an acceptable manufacturing process a carbon fiber assembly should last for years. We will probably be flying on Boeing 787s for decades to come; a plane built using carbon fiber. Bonded epoxy, preinpregnated materials have been around for some time. I can personally trace the use of these materials in the aerospace industry to the mid 50s. This is proven technology with the best weight to strength ratio of any manufacturable material to date.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberkityatyi
    • CommentTimeSep 15th 2009
     
    kityatyi
    <p>
    A friend of mine purchased his brand new Madone 5500 frame in July and after assembling his custom bike, took it for a ride. After this very first ride, a 55 km circle he noticed a narrow breakage running on the upper part of the frame, around 3 cm long... Trek, of course immediately replced the frame but it is still strange...
    </p>
    <p>
    I personally would never buy a CF frame for long term use. Carbon Fibre is lottery, in my opinion. No one can determine its life span. I had been riding a 2002 Author aluminium road bike bike, okay, it was nearly 10.7 kg, but I took more than 10 000 km and had NO PROBLEMS at all, else than I replaced the saddle twice to ride more comfortable and a few times I changed the tyres, the pedals and I also replaced (just for more comfort, not because of any problems) the bars. That's it. In February, 2008 I sold the bike and bought a brand new Author A4400, 9.1 kg including pedals, also aluminium frame (with monococque carbon fork). This bike is amazing.
    </p>
    <p>
     In short, I see no reason to get a CF bike.
    </p>
    <p>
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    </p>
  7.  
    flamin trek
    but you have a carbon fork?
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberkityatyi
    • CommentTimeSep 15th 2009
     
    kityatyi
    I do, and I am not sure how long it will live... I heard horror stories of broken carbons.

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