Cracked frame(?)

[ny biker]

I think if carbon frames were really fragile, there would be plenty of us posting about cracked frames here. So I think they are generally reliable. Of course I might feel differently about them by the time this little adventure is over.

The issue of frequent travel is an interesting one. I wonder what the pros do to protect carbon bikes and components when they travel.

[westtexas]

The issue of frequent travel is an interesting one. I wonder what the pros do to protect carbon bikes and components when they travel.

Obviously, I am not a pro. But I got the Helium Biknd case and so far have been very satisfied with its ability to protect my bike despite airline luggage handlers' best efforts. It's a softshell, lightweight case (bike + case is less than 50 pounds) that utilizes air bladders to protect the frame from the wheels and from injury. The frame itself is bolted to the bottom of the case on a quick release skewer and it has nice wheels to move it along with. I pack my bike according to the case's instructions and put foam PVC pipe protectors around the top tube/down tube/seat stays/etc. etc. (also the derailleur). It got lost in Dallas on my last trip but arrived a day later without a scratch. Seems to be working so far. Supposedly this is the case that a lot of pros use, too. After my first flight with it, and now having it been lost in the airport at a plane change, I feel pretty secure using it and don't have any anxiety concerning it's condition while travelling. But then there's always that moment when you unzip the case and see the frame...

[Kiwi Stoker]

Pros have multiple bikes and just contact their bike sponsor when something happens.

One triathlete broke her carbon seatpost while on the bike leg and RODE the entire way standing up. WOW.

New carbon seatpost was urgently DHLed to her the next day.

[goldfinch]

I worry about this a little with my Madone 4.7 because I am clumsy and I am afraid I will do something to hurt the frame, and if I had to make a claim Trek can't replace it because they don't make that frame size anymore. So, I am not sure what would happen.

The very few people I have heard talk about making claims to Trek on their frame warranty have reported a good experience.

[Biciclista]

lucky for us, frame fractures are rare!
My husband had the same thing happen to a Raleigh he bought (he had had it a few years by then), and although they didn't entirely replace it, they put a good amount of money towards the next bike he bought.
SAVE your receipts!

[Grog]

Some bikes seem to be more susceptible. My husband's R3 Cervelo (2009 or 2010 model, can't remember) developed a crack near the bottom bracket, and another of his teammates had the exact same thing happen on the exact same bike. They were both replaced by the company by the "new and improved" R3 model. Apparently it was an issue with the bike's design.....

[bluebug32]

I tend to freak out even when I find a chip in my carbon fiber frame's paint. It still doesn't keep me from riding dirt roads though

[ny biker]

Some bikes seem to be more susceptible. My husband's R3 Cervelo (2009 or 2010 model, can't remember) developed a crack near the bottom bracket, and another of his teammates had the exact same thing happen on the exact same bike. They were both replaced by the company by the "new and improved" R3 model. Apparently it was an issue with the bike's design.....

The LBS manager said something about another customer having a similar problem recently, so maybe there is a design flaw.

Meanwhile I'm about to leave for my first mountain bike ride in years. I'm riding the canal towpath, not single track, but it will still be fun. It took lots of prep -- getting out the right shoes, finding spare tubes for the tires, making sure the frame pump was set to schrader valves, etc etc. I found 2 packs of gu in my camelback with "best by" dates in 2007 -- has it really been that long?!?