Carbon Frames/Durability

[Veronica]

Only when I ride with men on Ti frames.

[annie]

What will you do when other bikers call you, "The old woman on the iron bike."?

Me - I just try to pass them when that happens.

V.

You go, V! Pass those upstarts!

On a more serious note, I have a Trek 2100 from way back....... way back the second year of production of that model, when the main frame was CF and the stays and forks were AL. I've had two bikes since then, both full CF. Always hung onto the 2100 'cause it was my first "good " bike and the memories............... ah, I could never give it up. Anyway, I've ridden it as my winter bike, as a trainer bike, and the past season, as my BOB bike and commuter bike. Thousands and thousands of miles on that carbon frame and nary a problem. Not sure of the age of the bike, never was good at keeping track of the years -- but definitely way over 10 years, more like 15 -- and still going strong. So, yes, a CF frame can last a LONG time. I LOVE CF, have ridden AL and steel, but not TI, and would always choose the CF. Just my own personal opinion, tho'! They all have their strong points. I think its great that there are so many wonderful choices out there because we are all different and are able to choose what will suit us the best.

Get a bike, ride, and all will be well.
I know, too simplistic!

annie

[Donna E Mobile]

The paint is bubbling off the aluminum lugs but the tubes are holding up fine. Carbon fiber bikes haven't been around all that long so the durability question is kind of like asking a teenager if she's stopped growing.

[SadieKate]

Only when I ride with men on Ti frames.

1) The MAN on the Ti frame did not call you old.
2) He was saying it with a great deal of respect.

[Veronica]

1) The MAN on the Ti frame did not call you old.
2) He was saying it with a great deal of respect.

That's true - weren't you the one who called me old?


V.

[SadieKate]

Back to the carbon frame. Bubba has a 1997 Trek OCLV 5500 in perfect condition with thousands of miles on it. He is selling it only because it has never fit right (not the fault of the carbon) and he doesn't care for the ride of the bike (a personal preference issue).

Yes, repairs are a whole nother story compared to other frame materials. Sometimes it can be repaired, sometimes not. Pure breaks and cracks tend to be catastrophic compared to showing up over time as it does with Ti and Steel. However, look at all the thousands of bikes with carbon forks, stays, bars, seatposts, etc. It obviously has benefits.

Hmm, plutonium, huh?

[aka_kim]

That's true - wren't you the one who called me old?

Must have been that disrepectful old battleaxe on a Ti bike (who previously put many miles on a Trek 2120 carbon bike).

[SadieKate]

Yeah, I was on a steel bike that day. I only questioned the lady part.

[Mindyhubby]

Ladies,

I apologize first off for being male, but when you read my question you may find it in your heart to forgive my interuption of your forum discussion. I get pleasure in researching for biking equipment for my wife. My wife, Mindy is 5' 4" and is similar proportionally between her upper and lower torso lengths. Mindy currently rides a Lemond Buenos Aires, but has considered riding the Specialized Ruby Pro carbon fiber. Mindy's best friend, Eileen rides the Giant TCR Composite 0. Eilenn, 5' 7" who seems to never use her small chain ring, hasn't had one problem with the bike and loves it. Mindy wants a carbon fiber bike like Eileen has, but from a different manufacturer. I've spent a lot of time researching different bikes, but I can't be more impressed with the all female design team Specialized has put together to create a women's specific bike that has the ability to compete at the highest level. I'm responding to MICHCHICK's initial question about the Ruby, because it's the same bike I find myself looking at for Mindy.

Mindy's and my plan is to purchase a carbon bike. Are there alternative carbon bikes you ladies would suggest I research to make an educated comparison against the Specialized Ruby? Please take into consideration that I really appreciate the compact geometry such as top tube length and handlebar shaping. Mindy struggles to reach her brakes while on the drops, which lessens her comfort levels.

Respectfully submitted,

Mindy's hubby

[SadieKate]

It's perfectly OK to be male! We like them! Especially when they thoughtfully help research for their wives' health and happiness.

Look for a short reach brake lever - Shimano Ultegra and 105 levers have a shim to adjust the reach. It is also the specific bar/lever combo and where the lever is set on the curve of the bar.

Are you also asking our opinion on the crankset? It highly depends on the terrain and the rider. Is Eileen riding a double crankset and doesn't use the small chainring? If so, you must live on completely flat land and Eileen is either an incredibly strong rider or cross-gearing. Most normal folks need a small chain ring for any kind of climbing or strong headwinds. Age, weight, fitness, knees, a bunch of stuff go into deciding chainring and cassette choices.

Volumes can be written on all of this but we're not sure what your level of knowledge about bicycles is. You can search all through this forum for lots of info. www.sheldonbrown.com has lots more. We can also answer specific questions.

[SadieKate]

Mindyhubby, doesn't the Buenos Aires have 105 brake levers? Your LBS should be able to order shims from Shimano or Specialized that can be inserted into the lever to improve the reach.

[Mindyhubby]

SadieKate,

Thanks for the response. I appreciate your delving deeper into the subject however, the bike has full Ultegra 10. The bike will go to our son who's almost the same size as Mindy, so I don't want to modify it too much considering he'll grow out of it in time.

[BikeMomma]

I'm holding out for plutonium myself.

We expect a "glowing" report when and if that happens.

[SadieKate]

The bike will go to our son who's almost the same size as Mindy, so I don't want to modify it too much considering he'll grow out of it in time.

The shims are very inexpensive and may make your growing boy very happy at this time of his life and removed later. It would also give your wife an opportunity to test this fix. If she has problems reaching the brake levers now, a women's specific geometry isn't going to change that. I don't believe the shims can be used with Dura Ace so it would be an easy and cheap test to help out your wife while making a very expensive decision.

What is it she likes about the other carbon bike and why do you like the Ruby better? At 5'4", the WSD frame design can be nice but may not be critical as long as the bike fits. It is the components (levers, bar width, crank length, etc.) which are really critical. Has she had an opportunity to try both bikes?

[Mindyhubby]

SadieKate,

Thank you for your responses and questions. I've not considered two aspects you've brought up. The shims are a great idea. I don't have the reach problem, so I didn't think of it. I'll have those installed immediately, and as you've said, they're inexpensive. As you've suggested, Mindy is borderline whether she needs a WSD or not. This spring we'll go into our LBS and have her professionally fitted to determine the needed top tube length. As it is now, she's a bit stretched out, but the shorter top tube might not be the right idea as well. Of the two manufacturers, Giant and Specialized, to my knowledge (limited as it is) only Specialized has the life time warranty on their carbon fiber bikes. Mindy hasn't ridden the Specialized Ruby, but has ridden the Giant. She's noticed the response difference in the two bikes and likes the Giant a lot, but believes her Lemond is a bit more comfortable to ride. The Specialized Ruby has Zert inserts to dampen road vibration......

I sense a determination from you to stear me away from either purchasing a very expensive bike prefering maybe to just change certain components on her current bike, or from deciding exclusively on a WSD bike. As it is now, Mindy's Lemond is only 1 pound heavier than Eileen's Giant fully built.

Any additional questions or comments from you or anyone are greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!