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Factors that shorten product life:
•
Hard, harsh riding style
•
“Hits”, crashes, jumps, other “shots” to the bike
•
High mileage
•
Higher body weight
•
Stronger, more fit, more aggressive rider
•
Corrosive environment (wet, salt air, winter road salt, accumulated sweat)
•
Presence of abrasive mud, dirt, sand, soil in riding environment
Factors that lengthen product life:
•
Smooth, fluid riding style
•
No “hits”, crashes, jumps, other “shots” to the bike
•
Low mileage
•
Lower body weight
•
Less aggressive rider
•
Non-corrosive environment (dry, salt-free air)
•
Clean riding environment
WARNING: Do not ride a bicycle or component with any crack, bulge or dent, even
a small one. Riding a cracked frame, fork or component could lead to complete failure, with
risk of serious injury or death.
B. Understanding composites
All riders must understand a fundamental reality of composites. Composite materials
constructed of carbon fibers are strong and light, but when crashed or overloaded, carbon
fibers do not bend, they break.
What Are Composites?
The term “composites” refers to the fact that a part or parts are made up of different
components or materials. You’ve heard the term “carbon fiber bike.” This really means
“composite bike.” Carbon fiber composites are typically a strong, light fiber in a matrix of
plastic, molded to form a shape. Carbon composites are light relative to metals. Steel weighs 7.8
grams/cm3 (grams per cubic centimeter), titanium 4.5 grams/cm3, aluminum 2.75 grams/cm3.
Contrast these numbers with carbon fiber composite at 1.45 grams/cm3. The composites with
the best strength-to-weight ratios are made of carbon fiber in a matrix of epoxy plastic. The
epoxy matrix bonds the carbon fibers together, transfers load to other fibers, and provides a
smooth outer surface. The carbon fibers are the “skeleton” that carries the load.
Why Are Composites Used?
Unlike metals, which have uniform properties in all directions (engineers call this isotropic),
carbon fibers can be placed in specific orientations to optimize the structure for particular
loads. The choice of where to place the carbon fibers gives engineers a powerful tool to create
strong, light bicycles. Engineers may also orient fibers to suit other goals such as
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