Here, I listed what I know about carbon fiber in cycling industry. I’d like to enjoy it with the carbon bicycle enthusiast. Also, I am glad to discuss anything about the carbon bike.
Indraughted superior performance material: carbon fiber
In the 19th century, bicycle frames are mainly being constructed of steel or aluminum materials. However due to the demands set by newer forms of cycling such as off road cycling and downhill racing the frames are being pushed to the limit. For the bicycle manufacturers, improve and redesign a high strength to weight ratio, lightweight, have “good” ride characteristics bicycle is the main item. Therefore, they found that the carbon fibers have the superior performances, high specific tensile strength and specific modulus modulus, and the bicycle made from carbon fiber can resolve the limit. And now Carbon Fibers are an indispensable basic material of bicycle.
Composite usage in the cycling industry
As early as the 1970's various companies began to experiment with the used of composite materials to produce bicycle frames. These frames using a lugged construction method (composite tube bonded to various materials lugs). But the frame could not be as strong or durable as metal ones.
In 1986, the first production non lugged frame appeared. This monocoque design would set motion the "composite bicycle revolution". Various companies over the past 10 years have produced this kind of composite frames.
Today, composites are being used to produce numerous cycling items other than frames. Components such as seatpost, handlebars and wheels are now being produced. Recently there has been a move to introduce another form of composites, thermoplastics, which is deemed to be a more cost effective way of using composites.
Carbon bicycle forming method
1. Bag pressure molding: Bladder molding and vacuum molding
Bag pressure is propitious to a batch production. Now, bag pressure molding is the mature molding method in carbon bicycle, and it become the mainly forming material for the global famous brand bike company.
2. Laminating: core and vacuum bag
The benefits of using an external mold compared to wrapping wet cloth over an internal foam core are:
· smoother exterior surface (less hand finishing)
· more even wall thickness (due to less sanding)
· ability to make more than one frame by using the mold over again
However, wrapping wet cloth over a foam core is easier for a beginner. Here are the benefits:
· less time, money and work required (don't have to make a plug and mold before you can make the frame)
· less waste if you don't like the design (no bad mold hanging around
3. Compression molding : Bopp film