Busted Carbon

Bontrager Seatpost

2011-07-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

From Steve:

Anyway, my contribution is nothing overly dramatic as some of the entries are by any means but it’s still busted carbon. This shot is of a friend’s seat post sometime after he adjusted the saddle height. My guess is the possible over-torque of the clamp at the old height. Just a guess; either way, it failed.

Still, a broken post can be unpleasant.

S-Works SL

2011-07-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

From Jeff:

after incident with a car at 35mph my bike is in pieces an I have multiple broken bones as result

Ouch.

Spinergy Rev-X

2011-07-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

From Juho:

Vodka bottle got jammed somehow between the blades or something while I was driving fast as I could from liquer store to home here in Finland. Carrying the bottle in some sag while driving from lower position. Note to self: Don't ever do that again. Somewho I survived with only 4 stitches on chin.

Vodka in the spokes? Don't know if I can blame the wheel.

Giro de San Fran

2011-07-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

From Ted:

Child Abuse

2011-07-04T06:54:00.000-07:00

From Daniel:

Yet another victim of the roof carrier system and garage combination and an absent-minded father.

The conversation went as follows:

Father: How was your day?
Son: Pretty rubbish actually.
Father: It’s about to get worse...
Son: Where is my bike??

JRA: Trek Asploded

2011-07-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

Forwarded to me by Aaron:

I was not there when this happened but this is the story as it was related to me. She spent a few days in the hospital over this. On a normal ride with friends and frame let go. She obviously went down and was injured but not severely. She says it just plain let go in the middle of riding, There as no impact or crash involved. From the look of the front end of the bike I have to say I believe it.

Just Riding Along: BOOM!

Too much power

2011-06-30T06:51:00.001-07:00

From Jon:

Just 'popped' when I stood up to do a fast sprint around a slow rider on the local W&OD bike trail.

I'm back, again.

2011-06-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

Hopefully it goes a little better this time. From Max:

Went racing yesterday in the “Ride for Life” at Centennial Park in Sydney. Had had a good week of training with about 350kms under my belt from riding to Terrigal on Tuesday and so felt good for the ride. Coming into the second last lap was in the front third of the group when some guys in front touched wheels and created a domino effect that took out about 20 guys with 5 ending up in hospital and one with a punctured lung. I managed to mostly avoid it but got pushed into a barricade and when I looked down my bike was in two pieces.

Zertz Again

2011-04-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

Specialized has figured out how to make carbon parts even weaker. Put a big hole in the middle.

I was sprinting through busy downtown San Jose traffic with a guy a
fixed gear when my seatpost went "ka-RACK." Fixie kid laughed. I might
have said some naughty words.

Thank you for voting

2011-04-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

Because you did vote for Glenowyn, didn't you? In thanks, here is a fresh bunch of busted carbon.

Faithful readers, I need you help

2011-04-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

Faithful readers, I need you help. A friend of mine, Glenowyn Carlson is trying to win an entry into BC Bike Race, but she needs more votes. Please go vote for her. If she wins an entry, she promises to break some carbon during the race.

What?

2011-04-12T17:45:00.001-07:00

I have no words.

I'm back: Svein Tuft breaks aerobars during TT

2011-04-08T12:45:00.001-07:00

I'm back, and I'm going to revive this blog. Sorry, life got in the way for the past many months.

In the news today:

He hit a bump in the road and cracked off one of his carbon aero bar extensions, and unfortunately it was the one with the controller for his rear derailleur attached.

With the bar dangling from the electric wire used to shift his Shimano Di2, and more tight turns, speed bumps and descents in the coming three kilometres, Tuft continued to plow ahead, much to the amazement of his directeur sportif, Steve Bauer.

Svein Tuft is my hero.

Specialized Parody Ad

2010-07-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

TTTEParody posted a Specialized Parody Ad on YouTube with a reference to BustedCarbon.com at the end. I'm famous.

Barry Wicks' Carbon Bars

2010-07-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

On Stage 4 of the BC Bike Race, Barry Wicks managed to crash hard 2km from the end of the stage, breaking his carbon bars, but still managed to win the stage and the race. Thanks to Normon fot the photo.

Cannondale Moto

2010-07-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

From Sam:

I have a cannondale moto carbon bike, and I found suspected ‘CRACK’ or could be simple painting problems on both side of main pivot links.

Plz check photos…..

Hard to tell from the photos, but it definitely doesn't look right.

More Broken Bars

2010-07-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

From Luke:

I was puttering -- 8 KM/H if that -- down a 1 1/2 meter gravel embankment when my front wheel washed out and down I went. Basically I just toppled over. Having hopped clear before the bike became acquainted with gravel (visible inside the bar on some photos), there was no weight on the carbon bar other than the bike's at the time of the impact. Astonishing that such an innocuous spill could result in such a failure. Or perhaps not. I'm grateful that the bar's demise didn't come under more painful circumstances.

I've since reconsidered the merits of carbon components where recreational and utilitarian cycling is concerned. No wonder.

Carbon and downtube shifters is a pairing you don't see too often.

Another car bike rack casualty

2010-06-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

From David:

My Specialized S-Works Tarmac didn't fair so well against Grandma's carport.

Cavendished Wheel

2010-06-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

From Joe:

Attached is my effort at recreating the recent Mark Cavendish crash in our club crit last night (Ormeau park, Belfast, Northern Ireland). Actually, I didn't even get the chance at a of reckless sprint. Rather a case of some loose gravel on a tight corner and me sliding into a kerb. First lap too, ragin!

Look 585

2010-06-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

From Humphr via Twitter:

@bustedcarbon here's some from last nights racing http://twitpic.com/1lbwxv Look 585 I think

HiFi 29er

2010-06-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

Rafal sent me a photo of what I think is a Gary Fisher HiFi 29er.

I heard a pop in back of the bike but proceed to ride it for about another 10 seconds. Until Jeremy yelled at me to stop and check the wheel. I though it I have broken several spokes but no this was the end result.

Read the full story on his blog. My wife has the same bike, and she broke the rear triangle as well, but in a different location. Gary Fisher did warranty hers, and she even got him to sign it.

Before & After

2010-06-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

From John of fastacraft.com:

I have a small business that specializes in carbon fibre processing. Lately we have begun doing repairs to bikes when possible. This one belongs to a friend Karl who for forgot it was on the roof of his car when he drove into an underground car park. Before and after repair.

Steerer Tube Failures: Trek Responds

2010-06-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

After a rash of steerer tube failures, Trek has responded blaming incompatible stems and incorrect installation. Trek advises:

1) Always use a torque wrench, and never over-tighten stem clamp bolts.
2) Always use spacers above and below the stem. Although less obvious than correct torque, a minimum of 5mm and a maximum of 40mm spacers under the steerer, plus a 5mm spacer above the stem are required. Riders should factor in these spacers when sizing their bike.
3) Use only the stem brand and model that came with the bike, because not all stems will work with carbon steerers. Often the lighter the stem, the less chance it will be compatible with a carbon steerer. Weight-relieving cutouts on the stem clamp and steerer interface can create stress risers.

You can read the full article on VeloNews. I'd rather just have a slightly heavier bike and be able to change my stem without fear of crashing.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

2010-06-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

This video has just started making the rounds. Impressive trials riding on a carbon road bike. While I'm impressed the bike survives all the abuse, I don't recommend it unless somebody else is paying for your bikes.

Huge Crash @ Tour of Switzerland

2010-06-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

Big crash at the tour of Switzerland yesterday. Heinrich Haussler rides over Mark Cavendish's wheel and it folds, causing them and others to crash. Video and story.