DIY carbon frame repair

Wheels of Happiness

One need not worry about repairing carbon frame.  No need to bring to rush this to CNC near Sta Lucia for 4 to 6 figure repair.  You can do this yourself.

Steps:

1.   Do the coin test;   Tap the part you suspect to be broken.  If the sound changes and sound becomes dull, then it is broken.

2.  Remove other parts.   Cover the other parts of the bike, paper, masking tape to prevent epoxy from spoiling other parts of the bike.  Use safety equipment:   face mask, gloves, if needed respirator.   Carbon fiber dusts are bad for the skin and lungs.   

3.  Sand paper the broken part.

4.  Cut the carbon to fit into the broken part.

5.  Mix the epoxy.  Some say 1:1  (hardener to epoxy) some say 1 to 2.

6.  Apply epoxy with a brush (tooth or paint) to the broken part and the carbon fiber.

7.  Paste.  Apply more epoxy.  To be sure, you make this three layers.

8.  Attach compression  tape.    Secure with electrical or duct tape.

9.  Shrink the shrink tape with heat gun or hair dryer.

Carbon fiber repair kit at Shopee. P700+

10.  Leave overnight.

11.  Sandpaper

12. Paint.   

How long does carbon fiber frame last? Urban legend says 5 years

Wheels of Happiness

Most of the bikers I have met say that carbon fiber frames last only for 5 years.  I had a Fuji carbon fiber frame and it was ok for the 5 years I owned it.  I sold it and about 3 years have passed and it seems to be still OK

The video says a good carbon fiber frame lasts for 20 - 25 years.

The advantage of carbon fiber is repairable and its easy even with DIY (carbon fiber kits are cheap and available at many places)

Carbon fiber bikes have been paraded as fragile.   They could have figured in some really bad crash or accidents.   I have had 4 carbon fiber bikes and they are strong and durable.

Other urban legends to be corrected:

1.  The original bikes from Europe are better because they are hand made.    -->> All carbon fibers even those made in China and Taiwan are handmade.  The carbon fiber are cut automatically but they are pasted with epoxy on molds by hand.

2.   China Taiwan OEM carbon fiber unbranded frames are suspect.

Not true.   Taiwan and China have had 20 years ++ of experience in building carbon fibers.  One of my bikes is Taiwan OEM.  It is great.  Carbon copy of the real McCoy.   

Photo album of the completed F10 carbon frame copy

Wheels of Happiness

This is a compilation of the pictures taken during the assembly of Pinarello F10  carbon frame copy. It would have cost me a good over P100K expenditures:   P40 k for frame set, P30K for the GS, and P30K for wheelset, P5K for tires, P3K for the handlebar and P1k for the saddle.

                              The flat side tube meant to cut down on bad air for better aerodynamics

                                       Gawa ni Jeff na personalized nameplate gaya kay Froome

                                                             Jorgeus, member ng Philippine team

                                           

                                                         The Pinarello logo

                                                        Slammed saddle on Sky seat post

                                     RS 8000 crankset, Exustar 88 gm carbon pedal

                                       High strength Toray 1100 CF used.  the box is for DI batter

                                              Ultegra RS 8000 brifters

                                                      May SN how can doubt that this is real?

                                         2/3 Italian bike:   carbon frame and wheelset (Campy Bora)

                                           Sky Team Frame and Bora wheelset with G3 lacing

                                             Bladed handlebar bought from Lazada

                                              Slammed seat with biak for genital comfort

                                                 Continental GP 4000 II 25 mm tires looks massive

                               My room mates:  adversaries sa TDF;   Quick step vs TeamSky

                                                               11 speed cogs.  May 10 na cogs

                                                        G3 lacing 21 spokes

                                                Neon green color at VMP

                                                   May UCI number

                                                     Winglet for better aerodynamics for fork

                                                     SN for the  frame

                                                                      SN for the  fork

                                                 Pinarello BB, no fit problems

                                                BB for Shimano

                                                                   Pinarello logo

                                                 Pinarello Head set cover

                                                   Team sky logo at the F10

                                                    2016 and 2017 F10 colors;  ngayon 2018
                                                                 yellow na color ng Team Sky

                                                             Humiram ng Cosmic Ws sa S Works

                                                   The aero winglets sa fork

                                                    Shod with RS 8000 GS

                                                   Semi compact 52 - 36

                                             FD and the Chainset

                                                         Nakakabit na Token chain catcher

                                                Nice cockpit set up

                                                             RS 8000 long cage rd 10 -30 cogs

                                                      Close up of the brifters  ala Durace design

                                                             Pinarello F10 amongst landscaping plants