Operation Manual

Chapter 1: Guide to Safe On-and-Off Road Operation5
WARNING: A carbon fiber part that
has damage can break suddenly,
causing serious injury or death.
Carbon fiber can conceal damage from
an impact or crash. If you suspect your
bicycle has had an impact or crash,
immediately stop the bicycle. Replace
the part before riding, or take the
bicycle to your dealer for service.
Carbon Fiber Composite
Pound for pound, carbon fiber is stronger that
steel or aluminum. But it behaves differently
when it is overloaded in an accident or impact.
An overloaded metal part will bend or deform
before it breaks, showing evidence of the load
(Figure 3). An overloaded carbon fiber part will
not bend or deform, so a damaged carbon part
(with reduced strength due to the damage)
may look normal—even after the same load
that bent the metal part. But when the sum of
the forces finally exceeds the strength limit of
the carbon fiber, the carbon fiber part breaks, it
does not bend (Figure 3).
In an accident or impact that does not break
the carbon fiber, the carbon fiber could have
internal or hidden damage but appear normal.
If that occurs, please carefully read these
instructions and examine the carbon fiber.
These tests are not conclusive: If you are not
sure a part is safe, replace it.
We offer a generous crash replacement program.
If you crash your carbon bicycle or part, visit your
dealer to learn more about this program.
To examine for surface problems
1. Clean the part fully with a moist cloth.
2. Look carefully for problems:
• Scratches or gouges • Discoloration
• Cracks • Loose fibers
• Other surface imperfections
To examine for a change of rigidity (flex test)
Do not ride, but use the part in the usual
manner while someone carefully examines
the part for movement or unusual noise. As an
example, sit on the saddle while someone looks
for unusual flex that would indicate a problem.
To examine for delamination (tap test)
1. Clean the part fully with a moist cloth.
2. With a coin, tap near the possible damage.
3. Listen carefully for variations in sound. Tap on
the part where it is in good condition (or use
a part that is almost the same). Compare the
sound. Anything unusual, especially a hollow
sound, indicates a problem.
Carbon Fiber Test
This section tells you how to examine carbon
fiber parts. A movie on the owner’s manual CD
(also on our web site) shows the tap test.
FIGURE 3:
Overloaded forks:
• The metal fork on
the left bent when
overloaded
• The carbon fiber fork
on the right failed at
much higher load, but
separated