Cold Weather & Carbon

Triathlon Forum
1

Is there any problem riding carbon wheels (like H3) or frames when it is really cold? Like say 25 degrees F?

Thanks!

2

ice = crash = expensive training ride.

3

I’m not talking about wet/ice road conditions. I’m more interested in the if the carbon will crack due to freezing.

4

metal would have more chance of a low temp failure than reinforced plastic such as carbon
.

5

do not ride anything carbon below 60F…otherwise you’re just playing with fire (or ice I guess)

.

6

I assume any of us ride carbon or aluminum below 60F has anyone ever had a catastrophic problem because of it?

7

lol

no, i suppose it’s pretty safe to ride on carbon stuff even in cold conditions :wink:

if you don’t believe it, think of carbon used in rallye cars, airplanes,…

8

they make so much cold weather gear and so many people ride in the cold, it must be safe right? I’d love to hear from some frame/wheel makes on this subject. They must test the stuff in extreme heat and cold right?

I had the thought about 10 miles into a really cold ride the other day, what if my wheel shatters. It was so cold I had to stop every 10 miles to thaw my feet out. I finished it (a bit worried the whole way) and inspected my wheel (carbon) and my frame (ali) right when i got home and it all looked fine.

9

do not ride anything carbon below 60F…otherwise you’re just playing with fire (or ice I guess)

 All those super cars built of CF, other cars with CF parts, boats, airplanes, they must all be fools. CF is fine at colder temps.
10

do not ride anything carbon below 60F…otherwise you’re just playing with fire (or ice I guess)

All those super cars built of CF, other cars with CF parts, boats, airplanes, they must all be fools. CF is fine at colder temps.

it’s a conspiracy of the carbon fiber industry! Rallye car manufacturers receive millions of euros each year to make us believe they use carbon fiber for their racing cars, while in fact all those snowy, icy nordic rallyes are won by steel body cars :smiley: same thing for airplanes - it’s just an excuse in order to make carbon fiber more expensive.

really, there is absolutely NO need to worry. indoor trainers don’t ruin carbon fiber bikes, and carbon wheels won’t crack at low temps.

11

I mean this in all due respect, but open up a high school chemisty book if you’re still in doubt; I’m sure all the evidence you need to prove it is safe will be there. :slight_smile:

12

My experience with cars is that certain tires don’t perform well under cold conditions. I’d presume the same would be true for bikes.

13

Is there any problem riding carbon wheels (like H3) or frames when it is really cold? Like say 25 degrees F?

Thanks!

You will not have a problem at 25 deg F.

Skis and other winter equipment, as well as aerospace stuff gets much colder than this.

14

do not ride anything carbon below 60F…otherwise you’re just playing with fire (or ice I guess)

wow, I will never use my carbon snowboard again!

15

I think that you would freeze to death before your frame cracked.