All about bicycles, electric-assisted bikes, technology and safety in the press

In our daily work as we deal with bicycle safety, technology and user manuals we come across lots of safety risks. The most frequent ones are published in articles of the leading German special-interest magazines TOUR – Europas Rennrad-Magazin Nr. 1, BIKE – Das Mountainbike Magazin Europas Nr. 1 and E-Bike – Das Pedelec-Magazin to make this information important for the sector accessible to a wider public.

For many years now the Eurobike Show Daily accompanying the annual international Eurobike Show has given us the opportunity to publish our perspective on major developments in the cycle industry in full-page articles.

We also speak regularly in independent lectures about all topics relating to bicycle technology and bicycle market. In addition, we are regularly cited by further special-interest magazines or trade journals as well as more and more by radio and television and in their media reports, which shows us that we are completely right with our information. The section NEWS informs you about the latest news from our specialist fields. The reports and publications of this section are listed chronologically or according to topics of interest.

BIKE 02/2013
Reading time 0:45 minutes

Carbon damage

You’ve got 20 years of experience with carbon damage. What happens to fail in most of the cases?

Reply by Dirk Zedler, bicycle expert

Frames are concerned very often, but it’s the cause that is decisive. On the one hand there are defects as a result of poor construction or defective processing. On the other hand there is damage due to overload, e.g. as a result of a fall or pre-damage due to inappropriate handling.

How is carbon compared to aluminium and steel?

According to my experience, steel and aluminium frames are clearly more prone to so-called fatigue breaks. As regards the service life under normal conditions, I'm completely relaxed with high-quality carbon. A critical point is reached, when the bicycle topples over. Incidents resulting in indented aluminium or steel tubes, lead to cracks on a carbon tube.

What are the classic handling errors?

Much too often carbon fails due to overtightening. The assembly requires care and accurateness. Another classic: clamping carbon frames on car roof racks. The wrong combination of the parts also leads to damage. Those days when a bicycle could be assembled with a multi-tool are over now with carbon parts. In particular clampings require professional handling and special tools.

Go back