Do carbon frames have a shelf life?

A carbon bike frame is a matrix of two different materials: the carbon fibres which give the frame its structural strength, and the resin which binds the carbon together.

They each have different properties, both physically and chemically, which determine the frame’s structural integrity.

There are a host of factors which could influence a frame’s lifespan, starting with the simple act of riding it. Carbon frames are well able to withstand the day-to-day flexion required to negotiate bumpy roads.

But a more major shock such as a crash needs specialist examination, while over-tightening bolts can also lead to damage.

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Internal damage to frame tubes may not immediately be evident and carbon repairers will use specialist techniques such as ultrasound and X-rays to identify deeper damage.

The carbon fibres used are very strong, but the resin needed to hold them together is potentially susceptible to degradation over time.

Thomas Leschik, chief technology officer at Lightweight highlights this degradation as a factor which will alter the frame’s properties.

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Resins used in carbon-fibre composites are heat-sensitive and manufacturers recommend that bikes are not kept in hot environments such as inside cars.

But again this is not likely to be an issue except in extreme cases: curing of carbon frames takes place at well over 100°C and it’s unlikely that this temperature would be reached once the frame leaves the factory.

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UV radiation is another potential cause of degradation of the resin. But carbon frames are routinely painted with UV-resistant lacquers and paints and modern resins are designed to have intrinsic UV and temperature resistance too.

Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight might lower the lifetime of your frame. “Somebody riding every day in the desert and having 12 hours’ full sun exposure and extreme heat would have a different effect than an average rider,” says Thomas Trapp, head of engineering at Focus Bikes.

For UK riders such conditions are a pipe dream.

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Salt water a concern

Of more significance to UK riders is the effect of riding on wet roads, particularly in the winter when road spray could contain salt from road gritting. Sweat dripping onto the frame when riding on a turbo can also be a problem.

Although salt is not damaging to carbon composites, where the carbon-fibre meets metal parts, salt water acts as an electrolyte, setting up an electric cell between the carbon and the metal which can, over time, oxidise and erode the metal.

It’s a particular issue with forks with carbon blades and aluminium steerers. Upgrade Bikes has recently recalled a number of its older Racelight forks for this very reason.

Damian Mason, head of Upgrade, says that they have seen forks in very poor condition, where the protective coating of paint over the fork to steerer junction has been damaged and galvanic corrosion has degraded the steerer tube.

Of course, the same problem can occur with any metal components attached to a carbon frame, such as bottom bracket bearings. But since these are not structural, the potential for catastrophic failure is less — it’s more likely to end in a bill to replace an expensive component than a complete failure.

Thomas Trapp says that Focus incorporates a layer of glass-fibre in critical areas of its frames to act as a barrier against such galvanic effects.

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Our take

Treat a modern carbon frame well and there should be limited potential for degradation over a bike’s working life. But any damage, including to the paintwork, needs to be looked at.

No frame exists without metal parts attached to it and many bikes have forks with alloy steerer tubes. Unless metal to carbon-fibre connections are fully sealed and kept scrupulously clean and dry, there’s a risk of galvanic corrosion setting in, particularly on wet, salted winter roads or when using a turbo.

Yes: Damian Mason, Upgrade Bikes

Although a modern carbon frame is a monococoque structure and is therefore very strong, the problem lies in the joints, particularly to metals.

It’s really important to keep your bike clean and have it checked out if there are signs of corrosion or damage such as bubbly finish — and especially cracks.

No: Thomas Trapp, head of engineering, Focus Bikes

Carbon composite based on epoxy resin shows a very long lifetime during fatigue testing, thus there’s no degradation of the composite over the lifetime of a bike.

Only long-term strong UV exposition can harm the epoxy structure, but all our frames have a UV protective agent included in the final paint layer.