Why are high-level bikes made of carbon fiber?

For a few years now the carbon fibre is the most widely used material in the production of forks and frames. CubeIn fact, they are made in this material.

Why the carbon fiber is so widespread in the world of two wheels?

Material and production

When we talk about carbon fiber, we actually talk about a carbon fiber. composite material: a matrix in resin which keeps them together carbon fibres The latter are a polymer, made either by the processing of fibres or by residues from the distillation of petroleum or tar.

Carbon fiber has a index (K), which indicates how many thousands of filaments there are in a single fiber.

Lightness

The widespread use of carbon fiber for professional bikes, where some tens of grams more or less can make the difference, is due first of all to lightness of this material.

A carbon racing bike weighs from 6kg to 8 kg, while the weight of a medium of the same size in aluminium exceeds 12-13 kg: almost double! This is due to density carbon fiber, which is about 1800kg per cubic metre, while aluminium fiber is 2300kg per cubic metre.

Rigidity

For a vehicle such as a bicycle, continuously subjected to stresses and shocks, the stiffness is one of the fundamental features. Carbon fiber is one of those materials that guarantees.

Attention, however: too rigid a frame tends to be very fragile, and therefore potentially dangerous because it is easily exposed to breakage. Cube ensure the right compromise between rigidity and robustness.

Tensile and corrosion resistance

Along with rigidity, the tensile strength is another fundamental peculiarity for a bike frame, because a two-wheel drive must be able to resisting to the best of a force that pulls it, at the same time harmonising wheel rotation and handlebar movements.

A quick comparison between carbon fiber and steel makes us understand the order of magnitude of this resistance. If that of steel is 540 Megapascal, the carbon fiber stands at 5400 Megapascal: ten times more resistant (weighing about a fifth)!

In the same way, carbon fiber resists better Of metal Corrosion Weather conditions.

Vibration absorption

Last but not least, vibration absorption: due to their composition carbon fibers cushion shocks generated by the contact between the front wheel and the asphalt, favoring a decrease in the work of the arms. A very important advantage, especially for the long pedals.

All this quality certainly has a cost: it is known that carbon costs more than aluminium. But if the (main) advantages are these, it is definitely worth it.

Discover our entire bicycle collection in nostro shop online And if you have any doubts about the chassis that suits you best, contact us!