Caring for a carbon frame

Carbon frames last for years when you treat them right. The material is very strong in the directions it was designed for, and less forgiving of clamping force and sharp impacts. A few habits cover almost everything.

Six habits

1. Use a torque wrench. Every bolt on a carbon part has a maximum torque, usually printed next to it: often 5 Nm on stems and 5–6 Nm on seatpost clamps. Over-tightening is the most common way to damage carbon.
2. Use carbon assembly paste on the seatpost, bar and stem clamps, not grease. The grit in the paste holds the part at a lower torque.
3. Wash, don't blast. A gentle hose, warm soapy water and a soft brush. Never point a pressure washer at bearings, seals or the bottom bracket.
4. Check after a crash. Look for cracks, chips in the paint and soft spots, and listen for new creaks. When in doubt, have it inspected before you ride it hard again.
5. Mind the clamp. In a work stand, clamp the seatpost, never the top tube or another frame tube.
6. Protect the rub points. Clear protective film where cables and bags touch the frame stops wear before it starts.

A creak is a message. Find it before it becomes a crack.

Transport and storage

• On a car rack, choose one that holds the wheels or the fork, not a clamp on the down tube.
• On a plane, use a bike box or a well-padded bag, and take the rear derailleur off or protect it.
• Store it indoors, away from heaters and strong sun.

Buying a used carbon bike

Carbon does not wear out with age the way some people fear, but its history matters. Before you buy, ask:

• Has it been crashed or repaired? A professional carbon repair is not a problem; an unknown one is.
• Do the clamp areas (seatpost, stem, bars) show crush marks or cracks in the paint?
• Does it creak under load?

Every used bike we sell is inspected and adjusted by our mechanics before it ships, and its page lists its condition and specification. Ask us for more photos of any area before you buy, and see our warranty and FAQ for what is covered.

Looking for carbon? Our road bikes and gravel bikes can be filtered by frame material, and models such as the Bianchi Specialissima or the Specialized Aethos are built around carbon frames.