Focus Bikes bicycle - Page 31

60 Focus Bicycles - Bicycle Owner’s Manual
Appendix B - Bicycle Lifespan 61
If You Hit Something Or Have A Crash, What Can You Expect From Your
Carbon Fiber Bike?
Let’s say you hit a curb, ditch, rock, car, other cyclist or other object. At
any speed above a fast walk, your body will continue to move forward, the
momentum carrying you over the front of the bike. You cannot and will not
stay on the bike and what happens to the frame, fork and other components is
irrelevant to what happens to your body.
What should you expect from your carbon frame? It depends on many complex
factors. But we can tell you that if the impact is hard enough, the fork or frame
may be completely broken. Note the signicant difference in behavior between
carbon and metal. See Section 2. A, Understanding metals in this Appendix.
Even if the carbon frame was twice as strong as a metal frame, once the carbon
frame is overloaded it will not bend, it will break completely.
Inspection of Composite Frame, Fork, and Components
Cracks:
Inspect for cracks, broken, or splintered areas. Any crack is serious. Do not ride
any bicycle or component that has a crack of any size. Delamination:
Delamination is serious damage. Composites are made from layers of fabric.
Delamination means that the layers of fabric are no longer bonded together. Do
not ride any bicycle or component that has any delamination. These are some
delamination clues:
1.•Acloudyorwhitearea.Thiskindofarealooksdifferentfromtheordinary
undamaged areas. Undamaged areas will look glassy, shiny, or “deep,” as if
one was looking into a clear liquid. Delaminated areas will look opaque and
cloudy.
2.•Bulgingordeformedshape.Ifdelaminationoccurs,thesurfaceshapemay
change. The surface may have a bump, a bulge, soft spot, or not be smooth
and fair.
3.•Adifferenceinsoundwhentappingthesurface.Ifyougentlytapthesurface
of an undamaged composite you will hear a consistent sound, usually
a hard, sharp sound. If you then tap a delaminated area, you will hear a
different sound, usually duller, less sharp.
Unusual Noises:
Either a crack or delamination can cause creaking noises while riding. Think
about such a noise as a serious warning signal. A well maintained bicycle will be
very quiet and free of creaks and squeaks. Investigate and nd the source of any
noise. It may not be a crack or delamination, but whatever is causing the noise
must be xed before riding.
WARNING: Do not ride a bicycle or component with any
delamination or crack. Riding a delaminated or cracked frame, fork
or other component could lead to complete failure, with risk of
serious injury or death.
C. Understanding components
It is often necessary to remove and disassemble components in order to
properly and carefully inspect them. This is a job for a professional bicycle
mechanic with the special tools, skills and experience to inspect and service
today’s high-tech high-performance bicycles and their components.
Aftermarket “Super Light” components
Think carefully about your rider prole as outlined above. The more you t the
“shorten product life” prole, the more you must question the use of super light
components. The more you t the “lengthen product life” prole, the more likely
it is that lighter components may be suitable for you. Discuss your needs and
your prole very honestly with your dealer.
Take these choices seriously and understand that you are responsible for the
changes.
A useful slogan to discuss with your dealer if you contemplate changing
components is “Strong, Light, Cheap – pick two.”
Original Equipment components
Bicycle and component manufacturers tests the fatigue life of the components
that are original equipment on your bike. This means that they have met test
criteria and have reasonable fatigue life. It does not mean that the original
components will last forever. They won’t.