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Impact loads that occur if using the bike for other than the designated purpose, or in the case of falls,
accidents and flying stones, can lead to invisible damage in the carbon fabric and/or to delaminations
(= separation of the bonded carbon layers).
Such prior damage together with the forces occurring during operation can cause carbon parts to
suddenly break and hence result in dangerous riding situations, falls, accidents and material damage.
• Be sure to observe all of the following instructions on the use of carbon parts.
• After accidents or other major mechanical loads not caused by normal bike operation, carbon
frames and parts may no longer be used.
• After a fall you should immediately contact a dealer authorised by the manufacturer and have the
parts concerned sent in to the manufacturer for inspection.
• If you have any questions concerning how to handle carbon parts, please contact your specialist
dealer. He or she will be pleased to advise you.
Carbon is a colloquial expression for carbon fibre-reinforced plastics. This designates a fibre-plastic compos-
ite material in which the carbon fibres are embedded in several layers in a plastic matrix.
This matrix consists of thermosetting plastics (epoxy resin). The primary functions of the matrix material are
to transmit and distribute the occurring forces and to fix the fibres.
As with all fibre composite materials, the tensile strength is significantly higher than the strength transverse to
the fibre direction. The carbon fibres are therefore arranged in multiple directions in order to be able to meet
all the occurring forces.
4.6.2.1 Information on the frame construction
Exact analyses and realistic simulations of the forces occurring in the frame have enabled the fibre orienta-
tions in the different areas, such as in the pedal bearings or at the control tube, to be designed more
efficiently.
These high-end products are produced manually. Differences can therefore occur in the finish, but these are
not grounds for complaint.
4.6.2.2 Proper handling of carbon parts
1. Under no circumstances should you install clips, screw connections, clampings or other elements which
exert mechanical forces on the carbon tube. Excluded from this are the areas of components e.g. han-
dlebars and saddle posts which are explicitly designated as such. Nevertheless, it is important here to
comply exactly with the tightening torques!
2. Clamping to mounting stands or other forms of clamping:
• Never clamp your bike at a carbon tube or carbon saddle post in the jaws of an assembly stand.
• For clamping in an assembly stand you should temporarily use a saddle post with the same diameter.
For instructions on dismantling and installation please see
section 13.2, Dismantling and installing
saddle post with saddle.
3. Take care when using shackle locks! Under certain circumstances these can damage your frame.
• Ensure when using shackle locks that these only touch the corresponding carbon tube and do not
exert any clamping force or weight.
4. Saddle clamping bracket / saddle post
• The prescribed tightening torque of the saddle clamping bracket bolt is 5 – 6 Nm.
