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how are peoples carbon frames holding up?

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craftworks750

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Had a curious conversation with someone about carbon frame longevity and was told that the carbon frames from ibis started to become flexy with age?

Do any santa cruz carbon riders out there have any issues?
 
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#2 ·
I have a five year old Mk 2 Nomad that still rides as good as when I got it second hand more than three years ago. It has had a far from easy life with regular shuttle days and trips to bike parks in both Canada and New Zealand.
 
#3 ·
2012 tallboy ltc that is going strong. It's taken a lot of abuse and is still great. I haven't detected flex but I'll take it to a small park soon to see how it fares on some flow DH runs


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#4 ·
I have a 2010 Blur LTC. I have had it since new and it still rides the same as new. I am about 240 pounds geared up and usually ride 2-3 times a week 9 months out of the year. I have kept the bearings maintained and have never had to replace them. Two months ago I passed it to my 20 year old son and bought myself a new Hightower.
 
#5 ·
Aluminum alloy frames have a "shelf life". They have a finite amount of times they flex before the metal starts to fatigue and microscopic cracks begin to propagate. Carbon on the other hand, can flex infinitely.
This is just what I saw in a YouTube video from an expert in carbon fiber bike repair.
 
#6 ·
Hollis Prince said:
Aluminum alloy frames have a "shelf life". They have a finite amount of times they flex before the metal starts to fatigue and microscopic cracks begin to propagate. Carbon on the other hand, can flex infinitely.
This is just what I saw in a YouTube video from an expert in carbon fiber bike repair.
Click to expand...
I bet he stayed @ a Holiday Inn express as well.
 
#7 ·
craftworks750 said:
Had a curious conversation with someone about carbon frame longevity and was told that the carbon frames from ibis started to become flexy with age?

Do any santa cruz carbon riders out there have any issues?
Click to expand...
Lifetime warranty on Santa Cruz frames......nothing to worry about!

If you're still skeptical they just brought back three aluminum models if you don't see the benefits of carbon.
 
#8 ·
The new aluminum double butted tubes on bikes are so thin and dent very easy. My last aluminum trek remedy had so many quarters size dents every where. It looked like a golf ball :lol: my freind just sent me a picture of his craked marin, in the seat tide/down tube/CS area. I know that could have happed with carbon but I've seen lots of brakes there in those areas on bikes I was told because of heat stress from welds? I trust good carbon like from SC over good aluminum from SC or even intense
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Yeah I reckon sc is the go for carbon with a lifetime warranty as my goal is a cc but it's expensive down in the land of oz but I wouldn't wanna short change what I think will be my ultimate mtb.


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#11 ·
you can break everything if you want or try hard enough, but lifetime warranty, good geometry and a THREADED BB got me into santa cruz.
you can still get a C frame option which is less expensive if you go for a complete bike. for myself i would have bought a C frame if they would sell them seperately. but frame only options are unfortunately CC frames only. i could have lived with the small weight penalty honestly.
 
#12 ·
I had a tallboy LTc front triangle fail at the lower pivot hole itself. No questions from the guys at Santa Cruz they just sent another out. No problems since the replacement.
I have seen them replace a few over the years and it's always the same no problem replacement. You just can't beat their customer service in my opinion!
They also will give you bearings for life on the pivots!! I have replaced them a couple of times. What else could you ask for? Yes they are expensive but they are good, tough and they stand behind them 100%.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
That's awesome to hear that customer service is great to deal with and no hoops to jump through. [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

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Discussion starter · #16 ·
Well I pulled the trigger on 5010 c so I'm pretty happy about the life time replacement and pivot bearings cos I'm gunna ride it to hell and back.


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Discussion starter · #18 ·
Things have to run quiet for me so it doesn't detract from the zen of riding. And I also enjoy doing maintenance it's a zen thing too.

Thinking frame skin might be the go for added protection too.


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