I have done some searching and not found anything on the weight capacity of carbon fiber frames. What is the maximum weight a carbon frame can handle before stress fractures become noticeable. I know 180lbs is ideal and I am working on it, but where can I find the weight capacity of the frames out there today.

wilric

You cannot make a generalization. Its up to each manufactures design and testing. There are plenty of guys 200+ out there riding carbon bikes every day. You need to ride what you are interested in to see how the bike reacts and handles at your weight. I just would not look at the uberlight designs.

Thanks, I was just wondering if the manufacturers listed any such info.

Giant and Specialized (when I was shopping) both said don't worry about it. There was some talk about not using carbon seatposts or bars over 250lbs tho.

I don't have any answers really, but here is what I do know:

My Giant TCR1 carbon was purchased back when I was doing heavy weightlifting and I weighed 235 or so. I lost a little weight, but then was hospitalized and had some hormone problems that caused me to gain a lot of weight (265ish). I have ridden the frame about 7,000 miles all the while weighing 215-265 and have never had a single problem.

In fact the only problem I have ever had was a broken wheel, but that was courtesy of a ford taurus that turned into me. I think carbon is plenty strong.

I'm 205 and ride a scott plasma, a scary thinwalled carbon frame.
I have more faith in that bike than any of my previous aluminium framed rides,.

my .02 in favour of carbon for heavy guys.

Assuming no short cuts or errors in production stress fractures are probably not going to happen until something over 1000 ft-pounds in shear force on the joints. I think you will probably be ok on almost any frame. The biggest issue with the thinner walls is impact damage from the front brake swinging around, bike falling on something sharp etc. becomes more and more likely. Though when you chop up a tube and look at how thin they are they are still amazingly strong.

I am 280 and called Felt before I bought my carbon frame bike. They told me that I was less likely to damage the carbon frame than thier aluminum frame. Bottom line was to bring the bike if it broke because they had complete faith that there was nothing going to happen. They only recommended using an aluminum seat post instead of the carbon because of the sheer force pushing back on the seat post. So I have a carbon fiber bike with aluminum seat post and have had no issues. Great ride.

I'm 260 and beat the tar out of my carbon mountain bike frame. It's fine.

You'll be fine.

Thanks for the info, I will take the advice. I have a Cannondale Synapse 2 carbon and it feels comfortable but I was worried if I would damage it over time.

I guess the real factor are the capacity of the rims and the seat post.