carbon fiber for handling shock loads

[Darin Nederhoff]

Orin Eman wrote:

> > 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.

Bicycle part manufacturer Campagnolo has really gotten into a carbon kick the last
few years.  The Campy Record group on my bike has carbon in numerous places.  For
2002 they have carbon wheels and hubs (see
http://www.campagnolo.com/pics/HYmozzocarb.jpg ) and a carbon crank that I'm sure
I'll have to update to before too long (see
http://www.campagnolo.com/pics/REcarbcrnk.jpg )

I guess the carbon wheel for a car doesn't worry me too much provided that you live
in an area with decent roads.  I certainly wouldn't want to hit a Minnesota 'sink
hole' with them though!  ;-)

Darin