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.   

Legal Bike Cheats to help you bike faster!

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 17, 2016

Here are some cheat guides which are legal to help you bike faster:

1.  Aerodynamics-  clothing, bike, posture:   bend your elbows, make your body parallel to the top tube

2  Caffeine.  Caffeine can increase your speed and endurance by as much as 30%.  I hope it would not be declared as PED.  How about Viagra that increases diameter of blood vessels in lungs to cause a rider to have more RBC carry more oxygen.?

3.  Beetroot

4   Tactics  (as drafting) or lead outs

5   Equipment -  lighter is better;  light power train:  chain, crank, shoes, cleats cogs.  Light frame, Light wheels set, tires and interior.   But when you upgrade, upgrade:   your skills, lose weight and practice using the equipment to the hilt.

How to ride faster and safer

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 11, 2016

Here are some tips for your improvement of speed from GCN:

1.  Look where you are going
2.  Practice your skills
3.  Ride/practice drafting
4.  Relax
5.  Dont wear underwear
Watch the video for more tips:









How to ride faster with less effort:

Light bike or lighter biker affect climbing?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 24, 2015

Merry Christmas tomorrow.














The video that you are about to watch explains why we need to:   1.  lighten our bike (buy a bike whose parts:  wheel sets, frame, tires, BB, fork, headset must be light.  2. why we should exercise some more, diet etc. to lose weight.  We spend about $2/gram that we say (about $2,000 for every kg.  That is lot.  It should be easier and cheaper to lose weight of the engine (the biker)

VM Jun Vic mentions this findings very often.  This justifies why he opts for lighter bikes and wheel sets/tires always

There was an experiment conducted.  One bike was used and rode up 8% gradient, for a minute and the power was measured.  Two rides were made:  the basic bike (about 16 lbs) and for the second ride, 2.6 kg water bottle was added.  Two rides were made:  one at 8 kph, and second at 16 kph  The second rider who was bulkier repeated the ride.

What were the findings?

1. For the first rider, riding at 8 kph and 16 kph, doubling the speed added  output of about 40 watts.   The heavier bike (or the water bottles) increased the power output by 9 watts. That is huge

2. For the second rider who was heavier results were the same for the heavier and lighter bike. However, his heavier mass caused an increase of 40 watts. Hence, if you are overweight, or not lean, you tend to tire out faster because you have to have higher output.

3. We should rid our bikes of unnecessary weight and excess baggage. You now know why TDF riders dispose of most of their water bottles prior to a climb.  For TT riders, the advice is not to bring tools or spares or even a water bottle.  That is to conserve energy

Advice

1.  Work on the engine, reduce body weight by eating healthy foods, going to the gym, cross exercise, push ups, crunches  or doing cross exercises:  swimming, jogging etc

2.  Lighten your bike.  But lighter interior, wheelsets, chain, pedals, shoes.  On a slow staggered basis.  Unti unti.   EVERYDAY WE MUST IMPROVE

How to dress like a pro when biking

Real Cyclists


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