Your Carbon Fibre Bike Won’t Last Forever

Carbon isn’t infallible - it fatigues just like any other material. It could be many things, from the forces and stresses of being ridden to UV damage from sunlight. Pro cyclists even talk about their fully intact, uncrashed frames ‘dying’ after extensive use. Carbon Fibre wear is a complex process and Ollie has enlisted the help of Formula 1 Composites Engineer and an Oxford University Professor to find out more…

00:00 - Introduction
00:30 - What actually is Carbon Fibre?
01:29 - Tom Batho (McLaren Senior Specialist, Materials Engineer)
01:38 - Does carbon fibre fatigue over time? (Tom)
02:15 - What causes damage to carbon fibre? (Tom)
03:18 - How does mechanical stress affect carbon fibre? (Tom)
05:10 - How does the use of carbon fibre in Formula 1 differ from Cycling? (Tom)
07:00 - Is the carbon fibre used in F1 or aerospace different to that used in Cycling? (Tom)
09:05 - Has the resin used in carbon fibre seen any technological developments? (Tom)
10:18 - Does UV light affect the lifespan of a composite? (Tom)
12:04 - What are pros talking about when they say a frame is ‘dead’? (Tom)
15:00 - Conclusion: Does a carbon fibre bike have a lifespan? (Tom)
17:50 - James Marrow (Professor of Nuclear Materials Science, Oxford University)
18:11 - Does carbon fibre fatigue over time? (James)
19:05 - Do ‘compliant’ or flexible zones on carbon fibre frames wear quicker? (James)
21:25 - If a bike doesn't get used at all, would it avoid degradation? (James)
23:11 - Does transparent lacquer protect your frame? (James)
25:07 - How do metal frames fatigue differently to carbon fibre? (James)
28:13 - Do carbon fibre frames get softer or muted with use? Could riders feel that change? (James)
29:09 - Would you feel decreasing stiffness in a metal frame? (James)
31:05 - What other factors should you consider when thinking about the lifespan of carbon fibre? (James)
32:23 - Conclusion: Does a carbon fibre bike have a lifespan? (James)
34:31 - Wrap up

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Did this video change the way you think about carbon fibre at all? Are you going to do anything differently with your carbon fibre bikes to maximise their lifespan? Also, did you enjoy this video and would you like to see more like it? Let us know in the comments down below 👇

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Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/

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