Your Carbon Fibre Bike Won’t Last Forever

Carbon isn’t infallible - it fatigues just like any other material. It could be many things, from the forces and stresses of being ridden to UV damage from sunlight. Pro cyclists even talk about their fully intact, uncrashed frames ‘dying’ after extensive use. Carbon Fibre wear is a complex process and Ollie has enlisted the help of Formula 1 Composites Engineer and an Oxford University Professor to find out more… 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - What actually is Carbon Fibre? 01:29 - Tom Batho (McLaren Senior Specialist, Materials Engineer) 01:38 - Does carbon fibre fatigue over time? (Tom) 02:15 - What causes damage to carbon fibre? (Tom) 03:18 - How does mechanical stress affect carbon fibre? (Tom) 05:10 - How does the use of carbon fibre in Formula 1 differ from Cycling? (Tom) 07:00 - Is the carbon fibre used in F1 or aerospace different to that used in Cycling? (Tom) 09:05 - Has the resin used in carbon fibre seen any technological developments? (Tom) 10:18 - Does UV light affect the lifespan of a composite? (Tom) 12:04 - What are pros talking about when they say a frame is ‘dead’? (Tom) 15:00 - Conclusion: Does a carbon fibre bike have a lifespan? (Tom) 17:50 - James Marrow (Professor of Nuclear Materials Science, Oxford University) 18:11 - Does carbon fibre fatigue over time? (James) 19:05 - Do ‘compliant’ or flexible zones on carbon fibre frames wear quicker? (James) 21:25 - If a bike doesn't get used at all, would it avoid degradation? (James) 23:11 - Does transparent lacquer protect your frame? (James) 25:07 - How do metal frames fatigue differently to carbon fibre? (James) 28:13 - Do carbon fibre frames get softer or muted with use? Could riders feel that change? (James) 29:09 - Would you feel decreasing stiffness in a metal frame? (James) 31:05 - What other factors should you consider when thinking about the lifespan of carbon fibre? (James) 32:23 - Conclusion: Does a carbon fibre bike have a lifespan? (James) 34:31 - Wrap up Useful Links Adventure Documentaries, Exclusive Shows & Live Racing on GCN+: https://gcn.eu/plus Download the GCN App for free: https://gcn.eu/app Visit the GCN Shop: https://gcn.eu/gcnshop Join the GCN Club: https://www.gcnclub.com/ Did this video change the way you think about carbon fibre at all? Are you going to do anything differently with your carbon fibre bikes to maximise their lifespan? Also, did you enjoy this video and would you like to see more like it? Let us know in the comments down below 👇 Watch more on GCN Tech... 📹 How is Carbon Fibre Made? 👉 https://gcntech.co/ui 📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 https://gcntech.co/EditorsChoice 📹 Watch the latest GCN Tech Show 👉 https://gcntech.co/GCNTechShow 🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound / Artlist 🎵 when i hop - baegel Montage - Scoobadive Solid Centre - Dusty Decks #GCNTech #GCN #Cycling #RoadBike #CarbonFibre #Science #Engineering Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech is the only channel you need for all things bike tech – past, present and future. Simply put, we’re obsessed with tech: we seek out and showcase the best in bikes, components, tech, accessories, upgrades and more from races and events, tech shows and product launches across the globe to bring you the best in road bike technology. We’ve also got great maintenance videos to help you get the most from your bike; pro-bike tours from all the biggest races; special features and the weekly GCN Tech Show. We also take a deeper look into the future of cycling, apps, smart tech and virtual riding. Join us on the channel and the GCN App to submit your content, vote on the latest tech and keep abreast of exciting new trends. Thanks to our sponsors: Castelli Clothing: https://gcn.eu/Castelli Giro Helmets: https://gcn.eu/Giro Pinarello Bikes: https://gcn.eu/Pinarello Zipp Wheels: https://gcn.eu/Zipp Enervit Nutrition: https://gcn.eu/Enervit Topeak Tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak Canyon Bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon Pirelli Tyres: https://gcn.eu/Pirelli Orbea Bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea Vision Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool Elite Bottles: https://gcn.eu/EliteBottles Whoop Fitness: https://gcn.eu/Whoop Komoot: https://gcn.eu/komoot Selle Italia: https://gcn.eu/SelleItalia Zwift: https://gcn.eu/Zwift Shimano Wheels: https://gcn.eu/Shimano Shadow Stand: https://gcn.eu/ShadowStand DMT Shoes: https://gcn.eu/DMT Muc-Off: https://gcn.eu/MucOff