My First Carbon Frame: Cinders Okay?
07-27-20, 09:30 AM
#1
Suburban Dad
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My First Carbon Frame: Cinders Okay?
Hello All,
I'm not sure if this question is appropriate for the "Clydes" forum but it is where I am most comfortable posting. Three months ago I purchased a Trek Domane SL5. It is my first ever carbon frame. We have some nice level rail trails near me that are mostly compacted cinders. I could really use a break from hills and the rail trails go through shaded wooded areas.
Will cinders scratch up my carbon frame? It was never an issue with my aluminum bikes but i thought I would ask to be sure.
Greg
I'm not sure if this question is appropriate for the "Clydes" forum but it is where I am most comfortable posting. Three months ago I purchased a Trek Domane SL5. It is my first ever carbon frame. We have some nice level rail trails near me that are mostly compacted cinders. I could really use a break from hills and the rail trails go through shaded wooded areas.
Will cinders scratch up my carbon frame? It was never an issue with my aluminum bikes but i thought I would ask to be sure.
Greg
07-27-20, 05:00 PM
#3
The dropped
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Cinders will scratch up any paint. Use some fenders, or clean the downtube to bottom bracket with some isopropyl and add lizard skins bike armor, or just generic helicopter tape. I think bike armor out of California gets the best prices on helicopter tape.
Last edited by Unca_Sam; 07-28-20 at 04:52 AM.
07-27-20, 10:09 PM
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got the climbing bug
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rocks gonna happen both on and off road. Get some 3M clear bra stuff if you really care about it. Bottom of the downtube near the bottom bracket will get the most abuse. I just use black electrical tape before long dirt/mixed rides
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07-28-20, 07:34 AM
#5
The dropped
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I'm not answering the question you asked 
.
You can ride your frame on gravel without issue. The cinders or even coarse gravel won't have enough energy to compromise your frame. BUT, continued impact from gravel can easily chip paint. I can imagine a carbon frame with no mitigation for kicked up gravel having the paint wear away after years of use exclusively on decomposed granite trails.
Once in a while won't do too much damage, but you'll be able to see small chips and nicks after the first few times.
.You can ride your frame on gravel without issue. The cinders or even coarse gravel won't have enough energy to compromise your frame. BUT, continued impact from gravel can easily chip paint. I can imagine a carbon frame with no mitigation for kicked up gravel having the paint wear away after years of use exclusively on decomposed granite trails.
Once in a while won't do too much damage, but you'll be able to see small chips and nicks after the first few times.
