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If You Hit Something Or Have A Crash, What Can You Expect From Your
Carbon Fiber Bike?
Let’s say you hit a curb, ditch, rock, car, other cyclist or other object. At
any speed above a fast walk, your body will continue to move forward, the
momentum carrying you over the front of the bike. You cannot and will not
stay on the bike and what happens to the frame, fork and other components is
irrelevant to what happens to your body.
What should you expect from your carbon frame? It depends on many
complex factors. But we can tell you that if the
impact is hard enough, the fork
or frame may be completely broken. Note the significant difference in behavior
between carbon and metal.
See Section 2. A, Understanding metals
in this
Appendix. Even if the carbon frame was twice as strong as a metal frame, once
the carbon frame is overloaded it will not bend, it will break completely.
Inspection of Composite Frame, Fork, and Components
Cracks:
Inspect for cracks, broken, or splintered areas. Any crack is serious. Do not
ride any bicycle or component that has a crack of any size.
Delamination:
Delamination is serious damage. Composites are made from layers of
fabric. Delamination means that the layers of fabric are no longer bonded
together. Do not ride any bicycle or component that has any delamination.
These are some delamination clues:
1. • A cloudy or white area. This kind of area looks different from the ordinary
undamaged areas. Undamaged areas will look glassy, shiny, or “deep,” as if one
was looking into a clear liquid. Delaminated areas will look opaque and cloudy.
2. • Bulging or deformed shape. If delamination occurs, the surface shape may
change. The surface may have a bump, a bulge, soft spot, or not be smooth and
fair.
3. • A difference in sound when tapping the surface. If you gently tap the surface
of an undamaged composite you will hear a consistent sound, usually a hard,
sharp sound. If you then tap a delaminated area, you will hear a different sound,
usually duller, less sharp.
Unusual Noises:
Either a crack or delamination can cause creaking noises while riding. Think
about such a noise as a serious warning signal. A well maintained bicycle will
be very quiet and free of creaks and squeaks. Investigate and find the source
of any noise. It may not be a crack or delamination, but whatever is causing the
noise must be fixed before riding.
WARNING: Do not ride a bicycle or component with any
delamination or crack. Riding a delaminated or cracked frame, fork
or other component could lead to complete failure, with risk of
serious injury or death.
C. Understanding components
It is often necessary to remove and disassemble components in order to
properly and carefully inspect them. This is a job for a professional bicycle
mechanic with the special tools, skills and experience to inspect and service
today’s high-tech high-performance bicycles and their components.
Aftermarket “Super Light” components
Think carefully about your rider profile as outlined above. The more you fit
the “shorten product life” profile, the more you must question the use of super
light components. The more you fit the “lengthen product life” profile, the more
likely it is that lighter components may be suitable for you. Discuss your needs
and your profile very honestly with your dealer.
Take these choices seriously and understand that you are responsible for the
changes.
A useful slogan to discuss with your dealer if you contemplate
changing components is “Strong, Light, Cheap –pick two.”
Original Equipment components
Bicycle and component manufacturers tests the fatigue life of the
components that are original equipment on your bike. This means that they
have met test criteria and have reasonable fatigue life. It does not mean that the
original components will last forever. They won’t.
FELT CARBON ROAD FRAME CARE GUIDE
THIS GUIDE CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. PLEASE READ CARE-
FULLY AND STORE IN A SAFE PLACE.
Congratulations! The Felt Carbon Fiber frame you have chosen is among the
finest products available in cycling. Carbon fiber is a very special material that
requires particular care during assembly, storage and riding.
WARNING: Failure to follow these instructions may result in a
catastrophic failure of the frame and/or its components while riding,
which may result in serious personal injury or death.
This short reference guide contains instructions and warnings, plus torque speci-
fications specific to Felt Carbon frames. Reference should be made to the Felt
Bicycles Owners Manual. Reference should also be made to Barnett’s, Suther-
lands, or other comprehensive bicycle manual. To ensure the best assembly pos-
sible and to prevent any damage to the components or frame, follow all torque
specifications. Please refer to the specific owner’s manuals for correct torque
specifications as well as the recommended loads that the contact points of the
frame are capable of accepting.
WARNING: Assembling a bicycle is a complicated task requiring
training and experience. Do not attempt installation of any compo-
nent if you do not have experience and training as a bicycle
mechanic. Failure to follow this warning may result in serious personal
injury or death.