Carbon Wheels

[Lee M. Levitt]

Darin Nederhoff <quattro at s-cars.org> writes:

> Orin Eman wrote:
> > > 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 competitive cyclists crash often, for many reasons :)

Course, I run a CF fork on my Colnago, and I *love* the extra damping it
provides.

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

I had a set briefly...until I saw a picture of what happens when 1 spoke of
a 4 spoke wheel breaks. Instant faceplant. Switched to Zipps, but kept
breaking spokes (and I weigh 145!), so I went to conventional wheels. This
set weighed only 2 oz more than the Zipp 303s they replaced. Then I went to
clinchers, but that's another story :)

>
> 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 )
>

Yes, there's a few of us that share common illnesses. Fast cars, light
bikes, high end audio. Where will it all end?

<grin>

Lee