New to carbon
10-04-23, 09:25 PM
#1
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New to carbon
Hello, i just bought a new bike with a carbon frame,
Silly questions, as I´m used to aluminum,
Should I go and ride without any protection on the frame? mine is as it came from the store,
Do you guys use any kind of vinil or something? I just wonder if the little rocks hitting in the bottom tube could make some damage,
Thanks in advance.
Silly questions, as I´m used to aluminum,
Should I go and ride without any protection on the frame? mine is as it came from the store,
Do you guys use any kind of vinil or something? I just wonder if the little rocks hitting in the bottom tube could make some damage,
Thanks in advance.
10-05-23, 06:40 PM
#2
Clark W. Griswold
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They make frame protection kits you might see if they make one for your bike. Carbon is a better material and potentially stronger because of the flex in it and the dampening properties it can handle more than an aluminum frame can but in the end does have its weak points in a crash situation.
It never hurts to protect your frame.
It never hurts to protect your frame.
10-05-23, 08:16 PM
#3
Senior Member
I wouldn't worry about it, if it were mine. But if you anticipate maybe selling it after a year, then sure, appearance counts as a factor in the price. Scuff marks from bag attachment straps don't affect the bike's function to any great degree.
10-05-23, 08:30 PM
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Every bike I wrap the chainstay to protect it from chain slap. The newer derailleurs have clutches which largely eliminate this but I've still had it once or twice with my 11sp XT kit, at this point I think I just like the look too. I also toss electrical tape under any place the housing rubs against the frame, started doing it more when the housing on my wife's gravel bike wore a groove in the aluminum. If really worried a cheap one can be strapping an old section of tire under the downtube though I see this very infrequently on XC and Trail bikes, and I've seen more damage under the downtube from pedal rub while on a bike rack than actual dents or cracks from a crash, but for DH and freeride it might not be a bad idea.
10-06-23, 09:35 AM
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I use the lizard skins downtube protector and the lizard skins chainstay protector.
Because I occasionally ride rock gardens, I have a custom made skid plate to protect the bottom bracket and lower part of the downtube.
Because I occasionally ride rock gardens, I have a custom made skid plate to protect the bottom bracket and lower part of the downtube.
10-06-23, 09:46 AM
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Carbon is tough stuff and if you do any aggressive riding it will get dinged and scratched. After the first one it is no big deal.
10-06-23, 03:16 PM
#7
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Congrats!
Got my first CF bike, a mountain bike, this summer and it came with armoring under the downtube and BB shell, and on top of the drive-side chain stay. You might consider adding something to yours--I expect there are bike-specific kits, plus DIY options like helicopter tape. No idea how much of a PITA they might be to cut and apply w/o screwing up.
Got my first CF bike, a mountain bike, this summer and it came with armoring under the downtube and BB shell, and on top of the drive-side chain stay. You might consider adding something to yours--I expect there are bike-specific kits, plus DIY options like helicopter tape. No idea how much of a PITA they might be to cut and apply w/o screwing up.
