Are old carbon frames dangerous? Giant Cadex CFM 3

[Neil G]

As above, be more concerened about the lugsparting company with the carbon tubes.

I'm not a fan of modern carbon bikes so am probably a bit biased though!

 

[Marsupilami]

That frame is AWESOME! I have one size S
I rode it in pure MTB untill last year when I bought a Trance X3.
I was the RetroRider of the group

Never stopped me from doing everything as anyone in the group. Never let me down. It is now a proud commuter bike. I could not pull over such a machine . One of the best buys of my life.

I must add that if mine didn't broke, none will, if not for a serious crash.

 

[sancho]

I can't imagine old carbon frames are any more dangerous than old aluminum ones, maybe even less so.

 

[bwhsh8r]

nah my dad (230+lbs) still rides the same look kg76 bonded carbon fiber frame. but in all fairness he wasnt always that heavy and its a road bike not mtb. but id assume same deal with the mtb. only safety issues would be cracks and holes and damage. thats the case with all carbon fiber frames, and frames in general too.

enjoy


p.s. cool bike, i cant wait to see the build photos

 

[Scrat]

I work on the theory that if its surrvived this long its unlikely to crack/unbond/fail

 

[adeyb]

I'd keep away from the thermo-plastic carbon stuff (old GTs)

I broke 3 STS-DHs when they were new! (under warranty though )

I think you're right though; if it's made it this far, it should be OK

 

[terryhfs]

There were some pro-roadies killed back in the 80's when their carbon frames shattered - that's why they fell out of favour for a long time and only recently have become popular again.

There's something different about how they're made now - I think designed to fail gracefully or a different technique or something. Didn't early frames use graphite? I had a graphite squash racquet that turned to powder when I slammed it against a wall in a clumsy move once.

 

[adeyb]

A mate of mine on the Olympic Talent team for Velodrome had a BIG off and smashed up his carbon frame. It didn't split in two like frames of yore used to, it sort of went all squashy and weak. I supose this is what Terry is referring to.

Still A)- Scary. B)- Expensive.

He's back on top-end Aluminium now(!)

Cheers
Adey

 

[ragnar1984]

There is an interesting discussion about different frame materials at the Bikeforums

 

[cyfa2809]

apparently the frame will absorb impacts and such until it breaks under the stress. i have only ever heard of this once so i guess it really wont be a problem. yes carbon fibre has advanced slightly but no so much as to make your frame unstable on a gravel path! you will be fine unless your doing heavy downhill with large impacts!
ride it hard!