Carbon Forks on B'twin Triban 3
Carbon Forks on B'twin Triban 3
Author
Discussion

neilr

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

292 months

Monday 11th February 2013
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Hi all,

I'm looking at my first road bike, the Triban 3 looks to fit the bill within my (limited) budget and gets stellar reviews. However, stories about carbon failing without warning has me slightly concerned. Is this something where its a case of the internet distorting the truth , whether its because anyone who experiences product failure understandably shouts loudest etc or should it be something to bear in mind? I like to try and take care of my bikes but would a knock in the garage to the fork be cause to worry? Or am I just being a big girl about it? Is the hype about carbon failures justified or is it just hype?

I'm moving to a road bike from a MTB (a 2002 Trek 4300) which has served me well and is still going strong but ive done so many more road miles on it in the last 2-3 years that its becoming a bit silly.

I've looked 2nd hand but waiting for a right size bike and of course the uncertainty over it being stolen etc, mean I think the search has narrowed to either a Carrera tdf or the Triban. I'm sure eiher will be a marked improvement on the road over my current ride but the B'twin looks like serious value for money.

Many thanks....




Gizmoish

18,150 posts

238 months

Monday 11th February 2013
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It is true that carbon - and for that matter aluminium - may in some circumstances suffer catastrophic failure. However, normally that's only if they have been weakened by impact/bad handling. The problem with carbon is that the structure can be weakened invisibly under the paint, whereas you'd see a crack on aluminium.

Bear in mind however that the pros ride full carbon bikes on Paris Roubaix...whilst a fork breaking at 30mph may be quite problematic, it's considerably less likely than a puncture or hitting a pothole in similar circumstances.


BadgerBenji

3,534 posts

247 months

Monday 11th February 2013
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Do you think in the time of ambulance chasing solicitors companies are going to happily sell something that fails so regularly. You can always find a horror story on the internet. Ridden carbon forks for years, road/cyclocross and mountain bike, never broken a set yet.

frag68

273 posts

173 months

Monday 11th February 2013
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Neilr,

I too have made the switch from MTB to road bike s last year I did about 2000 miles on it. Like you budget was a big thing, and after research opted for the Triban5. Only done about 20 miles over the past couple of weeks due to weather, but it feels a cracking bike.

It is my first road bike, and it isnt the lightest for having carbon front and rear, but its a marked difference from a MTB. I live in an extremely hilly area and it does have the extra chain ring on the front should I ever need it, although I didnt use it on the MTB on the road, which was another reason I opted for it.

I found it for me, the best value bike on the market, however only time will tell, but just now I am really happy with it.

neilr

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

292 months

Tuesday 12th February 2013
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Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like nothing to worry about!

crisisjez

9,209 posts

234 months

Tuesday 12th February 2013
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I'm using a Btwin over the winter. Its a great bike.