carbon fiber for handling shock loads

[Orin Eman]

> In a message dated 12/13/01 3:28:25 PM EST, brett at cloud9.net writes:
>
> > I was always told
> >  carbon-fiber was good for holding loads, very bad at handling shock(ie, it
> >  is brittle.)
>
> Brett and all,
> Some bicycle frames and forks are constructed of carbon fiber.  You can even
> get a CF fork with a CF steerer tube.  These frames are routinely used in
> competition.

And Spinergy make those 8-spoke carbon fiber wheels too... which
some say are subject to catastrophic failure.

Those carbon fiber forks which weigh less than 1 lb will support a
200 lb rider...  There is no doubt that a cf car wheel would work.
Just expect it to break if you hit something hard.  As with the bicycle
case, you would be counting on the tire to cushion the shock.

Orin.