Ok, this is not intended to start a carbon vs other materials war. I have an OLD Look frame that a friend sold me last year (well he nearly gave it to me). I was planning on using it this season and if I meet my goals, buy race wheels, then after next season get a tri bike. Problem is, he seems to think I need to replace the frame as soon as possible. The frame and fork are Look KG56 Generation 4. Not sure exactly how old the bike is as he bought it used as well, but it originally came with a seven speed rear and downtube shifters. I’m not lightweight at 210 lbs and the fork is old school curved so I can flex it pretty well on bumps. I topped 43mph on it this weekend with no wobble and have no trouble when I’m climbing, but he has me paranoid now. Do I need to worry, or just keep riding and continue my original plan?
I would continue on for years and years. The same is said about aluminum and the earliest of canondales are still at it. I still have a Bianchi Cromo up in the attic, ride it twice a year. I was told the steel would end up like wet spaghetti, lots of rust and it still is fine. I would keep an eye on the carbon and as long as no spots start to come apart, I would enjoy it for years.
Is anyone really going to be able to convince you not to be paranoid about it now?
I don’t know anything about the frame itself, but my thought generally is that most frames will last just about forever. The question now, though, isn’t how structurally sound your frame is, but whether or not you have complete confidence in it. If your going to have a nagging worry about your frame disintegrating on every descent, save yourself the stress and get rid of it.
You make an excellent point. Problem is, he generally knows more about bikes than me, so I value his opinion. Didn’t really think about the frame on my descent this weekend so I guess I still have confidence in the frame. My concern was more that I may have false confidence. Forunately for me, this forum has a great mix of people, some with a lot of carbon experience and knowledge so I figured I’d ask. So far, sounds like I am just paranoid, which is pretty much standard for me. Untill I hear otherwise, I’ll keep riding it, I really like the frame and I’d love to eventually add a new Look to the stable, but I think a tri specific bike has to be first, maybe next decade…
I think the carbon would be OK, it is just how it is held together. If it is carbon tubes bonded into lugs, then I would not be so comfortable. I know of a few of those that have come apart. The monoque (sp?) are much more relable, but I am not sure look were doing them that long ago…