Bike is only a few months old. This looks like heat warping but I can’t imagine car exhaust getting hot enough to melt carbon fiber. Any ideas?
by BreadNinja08
Bike is only a few months old. This looks like heat warping but I can’t imagine car exhaust getting hot enough to melt carbon fiber. Any ideas?
by BreadNinja08
13 Comments
I can certainly imagine car exhaust getting hot enough to melt that if you left it there long enough. Most car exhaust’s are over 400F on the low end. That’s way beyond what’ll nuke most types of resin.
Car exhaust can absolutely be hot enough to melt carbon fiber.
The shittiness of carbon tends to cause this.
Yea take a picture of your how your bike sits on the back of your car. It’s 100% exhaust heat that ruined that. Wouldn’t ride that wheel or you will risk it blowing off the rim, ask me how I know.
Did you store it in your garage by the exhaust pipe of your car? Or how did it get in that much contact with exhaust?
You’re right: carbon fiber doesn’t melt. Unfortunately, “carbon fiber” components are made with carbon fiber AND epoxy (between the fibers), which does melt. Fiberglass airplanes are generally painted white to keep from softening the plastic matrix in sunlight.
Not putting enough lemon juice on it
Zipp has an incredible warranty. It’s worth asking before junking the rim. They’ll do road damage from regular riding that compromises the integrity (but not cosmetic damage). Not sure what their stance would be on car exhaust.
I’ve seen that a few times over the years on other people’s bikes. Each & every one of the owners is always surprised to find out that car exhaust is hot.
Riding too fast, my friend. That’s the only cause.
Some might say ‘car exhaust” but I’ll stick to my fantasy…you went fast enough to melt carbon.
I guess not many cyclists are car enthusiasts. It’s a weird dichotomy.
These nuts