1. Are they durable?

2. Will a scratch or a nick damage the carbon fiber? 

3. Anything else you can tell me would be appreciated.  I’d like to buy one, but the seem like they may not take much abuse.

I have been wanting one also, but have heard lots of stores. Just last night
on bike forum, a person had pictures of his carbon bike that the two tubes
broke away from the headtube, Seems a spoke broke in the wheel, which
caused the wheel to jam, into the brakepad, he went down, landing on the
bike, which cause the tube breakage. Also a friend Indiana, let his carbon
fiber bike fall over, it hit the curb,damaged the rear stay, enough, the frame
had to be replaced.
But along with that you hear, about bikes that are 6 years old, and never
had, one problem. I guess you just have to be careful, carbon can’t take a
beating, like Alum.
I myself just can’t bring, myself to buy a carbon bike, there are very lite
alum. bikes out there, or there are Litespeed bike that’s made out of titum.
Most maker of carbon bike have a wreck replcement, but you have to buy the
frame at a reduced price, not free.
I know a lot of people will disagree with me, and say carbon is strong, and
they don’t break. But they still scare me.
Please, don’t let my opion, keep you from, buying a carbon, bike, like I said
above there are lots of them out there, that have been on the road 6 or more years.
And I hope I didn’t scare you too much

bill - 12 August 2008 03:15 PM

1. Are they durable?

2. Will a scratch or a nick damage the carbon fiber? 

3. Anything else you can tell me would be appreciated.  I’d like to buy one, but the seem like they may not take much abuse.

I’ve had my carbon fiber Madone for two years and it’s still going strong.  I’ve crashed it a few times, it has some scratches on it and I even tried to run over it one day   It was one of those “senior moments”.  I leaned the bike against the back of the van and left it while I answered the phone.  After I returned I jumped in the van and started backing out the driveway.  I didn’t run over it but it took a pretty good bump.  I had it checked by the LBS and everything is fine. 

I imagine it would take a pretty good blow to damage the carbon fiber.  I’m no more careful with the Madone than I am with my steel Trek 520.  The carbon fiber rides like a dream and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one down the road.  My other road bike was aluminum with carbon forks, etc and the all carbon rides and handles much better.