07/09/2025
“How strong is a carbon fibre repair?” “Is it safe?” Two questions I am asked on a regular basis.
The easy reply is “A repair is as strong or stronger if needed than the original & yes it will be safe! Easy to say but how to prove it.
Testing to destruction will give an answer, not practical though. You could test a repaired frame for deflection, twist etc and compare to original. You would have to obtain a like for like and run laboratory tests.
Or you could cut a frame in half ‘repair it’ then jump it off a transit van for example, smash it into concrete blocks and huge earthmover tyres, generally try and break it on a daily basis because that’s just what you like todo. In short give it more abuse than any road bike is ever likely to encounter and probably more than most MTB’s.
I was approached by Rich Pearson of RPM Displays with an unusual request.
“Can you cut my frame in half, shorten it by 25mm and stick it back together?”
The reasoning is that in the World of Trial bikes a shorter frame transforms feedback and manoeuvrability with the sweet spot being a wheelbase of 1070mm.
Using a frame jig to maintain geometry 25mm was removed behind the head tube, wheel base adjusted to 1070mm. Each half then re-laminated with carbon fibre to produce a shorter frame.
Finally a colour change Paintwork and graphics.
In essence this modification is probably the best example of how strong a carbon repair will be when completed. The rigour this frame encounters far exceeds regular ‘normal’ usage, what better example to prove the strength of a Carbon Fibre Solutions frame repair.
To book or see the RPM Displays calendar visit them on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/rpmdisplays?igsh=aHJldWZrMnNwN3dm
Or to see the Youtube channel
https://youtu.be/nVAd-93_jzI?si=ix-Gayx8INLFhMbX
