Are old carbon frames dangerous? Giant Cadex CFM 3

[cyclinggardener]

Howdy folks!


I've got a Giant Cadex carbon MTB, it's a 1991 Cadex CFM 3. Anyway, some whippersnapper saw it and said "you wouldn't catch me riding that!" claiming that old carbon bikes are prone to frame shattering! Sounds like bowlocks to me but it's given me the fear, any thoughts?

Mine's the same as this:

but it's built up with STXRC groupset

Many thanks!

 

[Elev12k]

Hi,

That frame is safe. Don't know about the welded al forks. Somebody else has to shed a light on that.

 

[Elev12k]

Oh.. I now notice the cromo sticker on the forks. So that is safe too.

 

[cyclinggardener]

ali forks...

Fantastic, many thanks!

However, I've got (year old so basically new) welded ali forks on my Big Sur, are these not safe?

They've got a steel steerer tube bonded on...

 

[Elev12k]

Sorry, I do not know that forks.

 

[TSC.]

The frame is definitely unsafe, even more so if it is a 16" *cough*my size*cough*.

The safest way to dispose of it is to post it to me (postage paid, & well packaged). Obviously I would have to charge some sort of 'environmental disposal fee', say, £50 - you can PayPal this, so no problems there.

Also, what groupset is on it? XTR is a timebomb waiting to go off you know.

 

[cyclinggardener]

hmmm...

I'm thinking "devious dirtbag" rather than "devout dirtbag" may be a more appropriate status TSC.

The groupset is STX RC apart from an Acera front mech

The guy I bought it off stated size measures 17.5" c2c and 18.5" c2t and it is a bit small for me.

Think I'll go take her for a quick spin and see if she explodes

 

[TSC.]

Re: hmmm...

I'm thinking "devious dirtbag" rather than "devout dirtbag" may be a more appropriate status TSC.

Think I'll go take her for a quick spin and see if she explodes

Don't say I didn't warn you LOL.

 

[Xesh]

I've got a Giant Cadex carbon MTB, it's a 1991 Cadex CFM 3. Anyway, some whippersnapper saw it and said "you wouldn't catch me riding that!" claiming that old carbon bikes are prone to frame shattering! Sounds like bowlocks to me but it's given me the fear, any thoughts?

Any carbon frame will shatter if impacted hard enough. It's basically a plastic re-enforced with carbon fibres (think fibre glass with carbon instead of the glass).

As long as it hasn't been abused you should be OK. Personally I'd be more concerned about the lugs coming un-bonded.

BTW I've got an SR Sakae Litage Carbon which is the same type of construction but 3 or 4 years older and that rides OK (apart from the BB joint which needs re-bonding :evil: ).

As far as the lifespan of alu forks goes it depends upon various things not least of which is how hard they've been used. A fork that's been used on a commuter bike is more likely to last longer than one that's thrashed every weekend. There are quite a few Kleins around from the early 90s with alloy frames and forks that are still going. It's debatable whether they've been used as much as a lower priced model but most are still perfectly ridable.

 

[LTS Biker]

The CFM frames from Giant have the lugs with carbon tubes. I have one here.
I don't think the frames have a lasting problem and don't worry about the forks, it's the original Giant forks and original from that type.
Don't worry about that one.

I have a Trek 9900 from 99 OCLV carbon frame and I don't worry about that frame, you shouldn't, because you wouldn't ride it comfortable.

So what I want to say is actually, check the frame for cracks or damages. No damages, no worries.