Are old carbon frames dangerous? Giant Cadex CFM 3

[montare]

forks & frame

Hi I know i'm awfully late for this post, although I have some first hand experience with a CFM 2 .That particular stock oem fork was recalled (by giant) in 1992 due to a tendency of developing stress fractures on the fork blades. (Noticeable horizontal cracks on the backside of the forks about half way down on both blades that can result in total failure.)
The frame also was known to fail at the head tube lugs due to salt (sweat) penetration. (Paraffin wax or a good paste wax rubbed into the the lug joints was found to be a very helpful sealant.)
CFM 3 - all tubes are aluminum wrapped in carbon fibre.
CFM 2 - top, down & seat tubes full carbon fibre. Seat & chain stays are carbon fibre wrapped aluminum.
CFM 1 - all tubes are full carbon fibre.
I've owned a CFM 2 since new and other than replacing the forks and all the suntour components it came with I can honestly say I loved riding it. Rough rooty log strewn trails were awesome on this bike! Large air volume tyres (2.35 ritchey) fit well & were a great addition before the days of suspension.

 

[montare]

oops double post

edit sorry

 

[ishaw]

I have a cfm3 and its as solid as anything I have, as someone has already said, possibly more so than old aluminium. Ride it and enjoy.

 

[sylus]

Much of the carbon horror stories were from back in the early days of the carbon movement

much of it was people experimenting for the thinnest and lightest and some was people trying to make a big profit from putting out substandard cheap crap

The big companies largely played safe due to the volume and potential court cases they had too

usual rules apply, de lamination is the most obvious failure, then impact damage

I had a few cadex's and yet have had a fault with the frame at all

 

[legrandefromage]

I rode the tits off mine - no issues so far.

 

[Rio]

I did see a CFM (don't remember what one...) with lugs that came loose. It was a couple of years ago so might have been a well used frame, and it was during a cross country race with a big stairway in it.