Anyone else breaking carbon MTB frames?

jchek779
Profile picture for user jchek779
Posts
484
Joined
3/19/2009
Location
San Juan Capistrano, CA US
jchek779
Edited Date/Time 6/29/2021 7:32am
Hey fellas,

I just broke my second name brand full carbon 29er HT frame in 3 years. I was wondering if any of you other guys had similar problems and I simply need to either go aluminum HT or a FS bike?

The first was a Focus Raven full carbon frame. The second a BH Ultimate. Both are XC frames. I primarily ride XC around the Charlotte NC area with occasional trips to the mountains.

On the gnar/shred spectrum, I'm definitely not the gnarliest, but being a guy that rode moto for 20+ years I think I ride these bikes harder than average. Pretty disappointed to be breaking these frames like this.








1
|
Flatliner
Profile picture for user Flatliner
Posts
2858
Joined
11/3/2009
Location
CA
Flatliner 6/26/2021 7:57pm
6/26/2021 7:57pm
I've heard the carbon frames cant take jumping. I have a cannondale scalpel and stay away from any bigger jumps out of caution.
AJ565
Profile picture for user AJ565
Posts
2079
Joined
3/12/2012
Location
San Antonio, TX US
AJ565 6/26/2021 11:07pm
6/26/2021 11:07pm
I’m sure ridged carbon frames and jumping aren’t the best mix.
2
Timo
Profile picture for user Timo
Posts
782
Joined
1/9/2021
Location
Wichita, KS US
Timo 6/27/2021 7:42am
6/27/2021 7:42am
Carbon is lighter bro, gotta be light to shred! When I worked at a specialized/trek dealer there were road bikers that broke the forks and chain/seat stays on the carbon frames. It happens a lot more than you would think, that's why I ride aluminum. If I bought a new bike every year I would go carbon, but I keep my bikes for multiple years.
3
GeorgiePorgie 6/27/2021 9:02am
6/27/2021 9:02am
Shipping carbon scares me the most. I always fear/dread to open the box and see a hole punched in the frame or something stupid.

The Shop

See All »
Homey55
Profile picture for user Homey55
Posts
974
Joined
2/18/2010
Location
Brandon, MS US
Homey55 6/28/2021 6:19am
6/28/2021 6:19am
That's a strange place to break a frame. It looks like the seat post extended past the break, too. If you can afford carbon, then maybe switch to Ti. I think Kona has a Scandiun frame if you're into the exotics. Of course you can't go wrong with Aluminum these days.
jchek779
Profile picture for user jchek779
Posts
484
Joined
3/19/2009
Location
San Juan Capistrano, CA US
jchek779 6/28/2021 6:36am
6/28/2021 6:36am
I don't jump, so it wasn't that. My riding is 95% XC. I was cruising through the woods when I heard it break. If you've ever heard someone break a tib/fib...that's exactly what it sounds like.

I agree - it's a weird place for the frame to break, considering that the seat post extended beyond the point of failure.

It is what is is at this point. Time to build another bike
seth505
Profile picture for user seth505
Posts
9368
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
SD, CA US
Fantasy
1092nd
seth505 6/28/2021 9:55am
6/28/2021 9:55am
It really depends on the frame design. I have a Marin cx bike (carbon frame and fork) that has been going good since 2017 and I jump it a lot for a road bike haha. Also have a carbon Evil Insurgent (fs mtb) that has had a few gnarly wrecks and keeps on going.

My advice would be go with a full suspension. There are a lot of options that still do xc stuff fun and climb well but take that abrasive edge off that a hardtail has in certain terrain. Maybe look at some frames in the 120mm travel range or so.
AJ565
Profile picture for user AJ565
Posts
2079
Joined
3/12/2012
Location
San Antonio, TX US
AJ565 6/28/2021 11:31am
6/28/2021 11:31am
I have a full carbon niner that’s a 2014 model that’s taken a lot of abuse. It’s full suspension tho.
early
Profile picture for user early
Posts
8264
Joined
2/13/2013
Location
University Heights, OH US
Fantasy
2212th
early 6/28/2021 11:37am
6/28/2021 11:37am
Are you the original owner? Looks like BH has a lifetime frame warranty.
jchek779
Profile picture for user jchek779
Posts
484
Joined
3/19/2009
Location
San Juan Capistrano, CA US
jchek779 6/28/2021 7:37pm
6/28/2021 7:37pm
early wrote:
Are you the original owner? Looks like BH has a lifetime frame warranty.
It was a new frame that I bought from a private seller.
GrapeApe
Profile picture for user GrapeApe
Posts
6988
Joined
6/7/2010
Location
Mc Kinney, TX US
Fantasy
760th
GrapeApe 6/29/2021 7:32am
6/29/2021 7:32am
I have broken 1 Reynolds 853 steel frame and 3 aluminum frames, but knock on wood haven't broken a carbon frame yet. I've always had great luck with quick and easy warranty replacements.

Do you have a pretty good relationship with the seller that holds the warranty? Just saying . . .

Post a reply to: Anyone else breaking carbon MTB frames?