Carbon Bike fell to the ground. Could it have damanged the frame?
10-04-15, 07:35 PM
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Carbon Bike fell to the ground. Could it have damanged the frame?
I bought this bike yesterday. (Norco Valence Carbon 105 - Bateman's Bicycle Company Toronto ON)
While trying to tie my shoe with the bike leaning against my hip, the bike was tipped over and fell hard to the ground. I've never had single crash or accident while cycling before, and this had to happen a day after I bought my new bike.
Now I'm so worried that the accident might have damaged frame or drivetrain. Seat stays and chain stays in my bike's frame seem rather thin and the bike is very light. The frame is made of Valence Endurance 24T Mid-Modulus Carbon. (so it is not high end 40T carbon whether that means better or worse solidity.)
Is it true carbon never bends? Could it have damaged/bent the bike in any way, especially with frame or drivetrain? I'm so sad at the moment.
While trying to tie my shoe with the bike leaning against my hip, the bike was tipped over and fell hard to the ground. I've never had single crash or accident while cycling before, and this had to happen a day after I bought my new bike.
Now I'm so worried that the accident might have damaged frame or drivetrain. Seat stays and chain stays in my bike's frame seem rather thin and the bike is very light. The frame is made of Valence Endurance 24T Mid-Modulus Carbon. (so it is not high end 40T carbon whether that means better or worse solidity.)
Is it true carbon never bends? Could it have damaged/bent the bike in any way, especially with frame or drivetrain? I'm so sad at the moment.
Last edited by highsis; 10-04-15 at 08:08 PM.
10-04-15, 07:42 PM
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The carbon is fine. I crashed and fractured 5 bones and the carbon frame was fine.
Depending on which side it fell, the derailleur could have bent. Check that it shifts into the big cog in back without the derailleur hitting the spokes.
Depending on which side it fell, the derailleur could have bent. Check that it shifts into the big cog in back without the derailleur hitting the spokes.
10-04-15, 07:48 PM
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I crashed my carbon frame at 25mph, it slid nearly 10ft before stopping. Sad thing was I had it for less than 200 miles when this happened.
Other than a scratched skewer, and a tear in the bar tap, there was no damage to anything carbon. Carbon bars were just fine, with a slight scratch in the paint underneath the tape (very slight scratch). A slight mark on the saddle, but no actual damage.
My frame/anything carbon didn't even scratch the ground, but it did take impact from falling. I have ridden over 750 miles since the accident with no problems. No damage to the frame or drive-train, luckily at that speed.
You can get it inspected by a professional, or have it looked over by even a bike shop mechanic. I would bet that it is perfectly fine though. Unless the bike is a custom made 8 pound mash of carbon, you shouldn't worry too much.
Other than a scratched skewer, and a tear in the bar tap, there was no damage to anything carbon. Carbon bars were just fine, with a slight scratch in the paint underneath the tape (very slight scratch). A slight mark on the saddle, but no actual damage.
My frame/anything carbon didn't even scratch the ground, but it did take impact from falling. I have ridden over 750 miles since the accident with no problems. No damage to the frame or drive-train, luckily at that speed.
You can get it inspected by a professional, or have it looked over by even a bike shop mechanic. I would bet that it is perfectly fine though. Unless the bike is a custom made 8 pound mash of carbon, you shouldn't worry too much.
10-04-15, 07:56 PM
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More likely the derailleur hanger would get bent if it fell on the drive side. As suggested, double check, carefully by hand, that shifting onto the largest cog is ok.
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10-04-15, 08:09 PM
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I have crashed my carbon bike more than any of the others. Something about riding fast at night I guess.
10-04-15, 08:10 PM
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Falling with only it's own weight would most likely not damage anything. Man, I was doing rollers on my TT bike and for some reason just could not get the hang of full aero position before I would go sailing off. My carbon bike whacked the floor so many times and once with a crack so loud that I was sure the frame snapped. Never a problem. Like most here, your bike falling over will not cause any structural damage in most cases.
10-04-15, 08:33 PM
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