Carbon fiber has become a few years in the
Star material in bicycle box manufacturing. A light, rigid and very resistant material that, however, requires certain attention and care to protect it and prevent it from damaging. We list 10 tips to protect and maintain as new the carbon picture of your bicycle and thus prolong your life.
If you have a bicycle with carbon fiber picture you are a lucky cyclist. You can benefit from all its advantages: light weight, rigidity, better transmission of pedaling energy, vibrations absorption at fatigue points ... There are many and varied benefits of having a
Carbon bicycle.
But enjoying all these advantages for a long time also requires specific care of the material. Although
Carbon is much more resistant to blows or deformations than aluminum, a fissure or breakage of the painting can be very expensive to repair (from € 200 to € 500 in many cases). To avoid problems and that the picture looks like the first day, we invite you to do these 10 maintenance tasks or tricks, simple but very effective.
1. Cleaning: Water, soap and a soft cloth
No secrets or miraculous products with
Cleaning carbon fiber frames. They usually have the same paint finishes as aluminum. Therefore they are cleaned the same: water (avoiding pressure hoses), neutral soap and cleaning supplies (cloths or cloths), usually microfiber so as not to scratch the surface.
There are, on the other hand, specific products in the market for cleaning and protection of carbon tables. Products that, however, do not exempt general cleaning with soap and water. Brands like
Morgan Blue They have them in their catalog: they clean, polish and protect the tubes of the action of external agents, such as mud or dust.
2. Keep the bicycle away from radiators and stoves
When leaving the bike parked or saved in the garage, do not leave it next to metal or pointed objects. On a wall, for example, apóy it on two points: fists and tires (turning the bike) to prevent it from falling. It also avoids putting it next to a radiator or stove to protect the finish.
3. Avoid exposure to sun or rain
If you are not going to bike in a time you can cover it with a specific protective case, a blanket or a large plastic, to prevent dust entry and protect it from moisture. If you are going to save a carbon bike for a season, always do it indoors. Never leave the sun for a long time or in places exposed to moisture. In addition to deteriorating the components, the finish of the painting could lose its properties (color, brightness ...).
4. Rust with cable friction
It is quite frequent that the bicycle does not guide the cables properly on the outside and rub with its covers in the box. This can eventually erode the paint and surface layers of the painting, exposing the structure. Avoid it by placing a protective adhesive (they sell them in any bicycle store at a very good price) in the rubbing area, in order to separate both elements.
5. Use carbon paste for assembly
Friction or rubbing between carbon and aluminum components and the painting itself may end up degrading carbon over time, increasing the risk of cracks or fissures. Or that starts in case of fall or strong blow.
Using a specific carbon paste, whose composition and texture is non -slip, prevents both parts from friction. Use only this paste for the assembly of fixed parts of the bike: scam-tile or handlebar-power. And remember to clean the surface well before applying it.
6. Respect the recommended tightening torque
It is very important to apply fair force to the screws when it comes to mounting a shell, a handlebar or any other component or accessory. The recommended tightening torque usually appears recorded in each component. It must be respected for all components and materials, but especially for carbon, since it needs a lower torque. Otherwise, excessive pressure could damage or smile as soon as it receives a strong impact. In case of having a different value for each component, always applies the minor.
7. Use appropriate tools
In the case of the tightening torque, and to ensure that we apply the correct without spending, it is convenient to get a dynamometric that marks or limits that pair. There are many of them in the market recommended for bicycles or components, although from 10 euros you can get a laptop with the NM (the measure used for torque) recommended for component assembly.
On the other hand, we have already mentioned that for cleaning it is advisable to use mild rags and brushes. If you do not want to risk, in both physical and online stores of cycling, cleaning products designed to respect and protect the painting of the paintings and materials such as carbon.
8. Use specific protectors
In addition to adhesives and tapes to prevent cables with the carbon box, you can also protect other sensitive parts of greater surface with hard protectors, such as pods or diagonal tube. Both areas are the most exposed to the clay, dust or fat of the chain.
The foam classic pod protectors who rolled the tube with Velcro have already passed to a better life. Now the bicycle or component brands offer hard and almost personalized gum protectors, less weight, better finish and that more effectively protect these parts of the bicycle. If you are very suspicious with the dirt and the condition of the picture, plant yourself install one of these protectors.
9. Avoid friction between pieces during transportation
If you are going to wear the bike inside the car or in a portabicis, pay special attention to the protection of the painting or carbon pieces. If you think they can touch with some other element, put in a clean rag or some plastic element to avoid rubbing. Nor do you exceed the tightening of the flanges or clamps to fix the wheels to the carrier if the tires are carbon.
10. Do not make homemade repairs
Finally, if you see any type of crack in the finish or some small fissure or blow in the picture it is advisable to go to the mechanic to value the damage. Generally, carbon paintings require specific products and a complex and expensive process, so they are not problems that can be easily solved at home.
On the other hand
After suffering a strong fall, even if you do not perceive any damage of the painting with the naked eye, it is always convenient to take it to your trusted mechanic to make a general review of the bike and the painting. A verification by a professional will be much more complete and reliable and will avoid the appearance of major damage in the future.
