Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer

I'm not so in love with carbon fibre, but it certainly has it's place. I started seeing it first on factory racing Mountain bikes, where every gram counts. It quickly became very popular and soon regular riders could buy things like CF seatposts, stems etc.
Then things started breaking and injuries occurred( just think about that seat post breakage injury!) :shock:
Most racers and regular riders don't use carbon fibre for seatposts anymore nor do many use cf for stems. It doesn't seem to quite work as a full on replacement for metal, though the companies that make the stuff would have us believe that it does.

It's a light weight, high strength plastic with limitations.



Glen

http://www.bustedcarbon.com/
 
worntorn said:
It doesn't seem to quite work as a full on replacement for metal, though the companies that make the stuff would have us believe that it does.

It's a light weight, high strength plastic with limitations.
Click to expand...

Then what do you make of the latest trend? Bikes like BMW’s new HP4 Race and Norton's new 1200 are going all out.
 
I may be wrong, but I've always understood that UV rays are one of the top enemies. And if you get a scratch on your carbon you need to cover it asap with a uv protect clear coat. Can any experts confirm this?
 
contours said:
worntorn said:
It doesn't seem to quite work as a full on replacement for metal, though the companies that make the stuff would have us believe that it does.

It's a light weight, high strength plastic with limitations.
Click to expand...

Then what do you make of the latest trend? Bikes like BMW’s new HP4 Race and Norton's new 1200 are going all out.
Click to expand...

I think it's the allure of new technology and low weight that has them so enamored with this stuff.

Some time ago(2011) Carbon Fibre wheels were banned from GP racing but I haven't been able to find out why or if the ban is still in place. Some have suggested the ban was a cost based decision and others claim it was safety based.

Glen
 
richard-7 said:
I may be wrong, but I've always understood that UV rays are one of the top enemies. And if you get a scratch on your carbon you need to cover it asap with a uv protect clear coat. Can any experts confirm this?
Click to expand...
On the carbon itself no problem.
Breaks down the epoxy resin a little unless UV stabilised.(or painted etc)

On something like handlebars no problem as the resin is not there to do much on a boat say big problem as the resin is the main event there as well.

- From my materials engineer cousin.
 
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