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Special Characteristics of Carbon
Special characteristics of carbon components made of carbon-reinforced plastics
also referred to as carbon or CRP for short need to be taken into account:
Carbon (a) is an extremely strong material which combines high resistance with
low weight. Please note that carbon, unlike metals, shows no visible deformation
after overstress even though some of its fibres may be damaged.
This makes it very dangerous to continue using the part after an impact or undue
stress, as it may fail without previous warning thereby causing an accident with
unforeseeable consequences. Have your carbon bicycle part, or to be certain, the
entire FELT bike checked by your FELT dealer for any visible or palpable damage
after every crash, collision with an obstacle or accident. They may contact our
service department in order to make sure you can have absolute confidence in
your bike.
For safety reasons, damaged parts made of carbon must never be repaired. They
must be replaced at once! Prevent further use by taking appropriate measures, i.e.
saw the component into pieces.
Parts made of carbon should under no circumstances be exposed to excessive
heat. Therefore, never have a carbon part enameled or powder-coated. The tem-
peratures required for doing so could destroy it. Do not leave carbon fibre parts
near a source of heat e.g. a radiator or in your car during hot or sunny weather.
Components made of carbon have, like all lightweight bicycle parts, a
limited service life. For this reason, change stem and handlebars at regu-
lar intervals (e.g. every 3 years), even if they have not experienced any
crashes or similar.
If carbon parts on your FELT bike should make any creaking or cracking
noises or show any external signs of damage such as notches, cracks,
dents, discolourations etc., you must not use the bicycle any longer.
Please contact your FELT dealer immediately; he will check the part care-
fully.
Make sure all carbon clamping areas are absolutely free of grease and
other lubricants. Grease would penetrate the surface of the carbon mate-
rial, reducing the coefficient of friction and hence impairing the stabil-
ity of the clamping joint. Greased carbon may never again afford a safe
clamping joint. Please use a special carbon assembly paste in clamping
areas (b).
a a b c
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