General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How can I tell if carbon fiber is still good to ride? Rss Feed  
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2015-11-29 1:18 PM

Regular
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Fort Rucker, Alabama
Subject: How can I tell if carbon fiber is still good to ride?
I just got done moving across country. The movers stacked a garden fountain on top of my bike and it rubbed the carbon chainstay through the epoxy coating. From what I can tell, it looks like just surface abrasion, but I'm also no expert when it comes to carbon fiber. I have a claim in with the movers but in the mean time, I want to figure out if it is safe to ride. Is it something I can do visually or does a shop need to do a little more in-depth inspection of it?

Thanks for the help



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2015-12-01 6:29 AM
in reply to: red66stang

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Veteran
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Southampton, Ontario
Subject: RE: How can I tell if carbon fiber is still good to ride?
I would call that sketchy and get it checked out at a bike shop for sure. I would even get a letter stating that it is not safe to ride if that was the case - it will help with your case against the moving company.
2015-12-01 6:35 AM
in reply to: red66stang

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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: How can I tell if carbon fiber is still good to ride?

To my eye, that looks like cosmetic damage. But it's still damage. The only real way to tell, unless the weave is obviously damaged/fraying/visibly moving, is to do some expensive testing that virtually no bike shop would be able to do. But in a pinch, we can do a "quarter test". Basically it's just tapping a quarter against the tube along its length and noting any change in tone. It should give a solid rapping sound. But if you get rattles or a pithy dead sound, that's indication that it's not solid any more and needs repair or replacement (or further testing). Given the Dedacciai name on the seatstay, I'm guessing this isn't a Chinarello knock-off frame. You could contact the manufacturer and see what they suggest, as an alternative.

2015-12-07 9:28 PM
in reply to: red66stang

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Veteran
572
5002525
Hudson Valley
Subject: RE: How can I tell if carbon fiber is still good to ride?
Since the fountain was placed on top of the bike, and the carbon tubes were not designed to handle those side loads, there is a risk of mechanical failure. I wouldn't ride it. Next time put the kids in the moving truck and the bike in the back seat of the car ;o)
2015-12-08 3:44 PM
in reply to: Six000MileYear

Regular
130
10025
Fort Rucker, Alabama
Subject: RE: How can I tell if carbon fiber is still good to ride?
It was an army move so I didn't have much control of it once it left the house. The first truck packed everything nicely but then everything got transferred to a second truck somewhere between Washington state and Alabama.

I'm waiting for the claim to get paid and I am planning on replacing the frame with a planet X frame or similar. The bike was an aluminum framed (carbon fork and stays) 2004 Guru Trilite.
2015-12-09 9:38 PM
in reply to: red66stang

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Veteran
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5002525
Hudson Valley
Subject: RE: How can I tell if carbon fiber is still good to ride?
You might be able to use it as a dedicated indoor wind training bike.


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