carbon repair

Ultrasonic, non-destructive frame testing is not a reliable method unless one has a perfect reference sample of the same carbon used in the fabrication of the bike frame.

Lennard Zinn answers reader questions on melting carbon

Tech editor Nick Legan also answers readers' questions about using DOT fluid on carbon and new bike nervousness

Also: needing more rear offset, 52x34 on a double, amateur tool kits

Here’s a little secret: that beautiful carbon frame is easily repaired, provided it is administered to by the right hands

Nick takes questions about spring classics gear, frame inspections after crashes and how to line up handlebars perfectly.

If moderate heat doesn't pose a problem for carbon fiber, how about cold and big temperature fluctuations?

A reader asks whether the heat of a closed car or exposure to direct sunlight can damage a carbon frame.

A cracked or broken carbon frame can be fixed. Lennard Zinn checks in with Craig Calfee's repair shop.

Lennard Zinn takes a close look at four sets of carbon wheels.

How can I keep water out of my aero frame?

Can someone repair my Campy carbon crank?

Dear Readers,
I’m in the Denver airport about to fly to Italy for the Giro d’Italia. I have enjoyed a lot of the feedback from a few recent columns, and I thought you might as well. Next time you hear from me will be from the Giro, so look for some cool bikes for the team time trial soon.
Lennard

Dear Lennard,
In your Earth Day column there was a question about a cracked carbon frame. Since it is a save the earth day of posting I thought I would ask about the possibility of repairing a cracked carbon frame (small crack obviously). Since you can buy epoxy and carbon, would it be possible to repair a carbon frame? It would be ugly but would it be rideable?
Scott Dear Scott,

Should I wax my carbon seatpost?

Polishing scratched aluminum cranks, tubeless road tires and Scotch-brite pads

Questions about inspecting carbon forks for safety, trying Wippermann chains with Campy 10-speed systems and using Shimano MTB derailleurs with 10-speed road systems. What to do? I'm low on funds and that's the main reason I haven't replaced them as yet. I will add there are no stress fractures or noticeable wear.

One more gear?
Dear Lennard,
We have a 27-mile climb just outside of town that I ride up occasionally. My problem is that I tend to spin out on my way back down and find it difficult to keep up with some of my riding partners. A friend of mine told me that I could swap my 10-speed Shimano cassette (12-25) for a SRAM (11-26), which would give me both a better climbing and descending gear. Although I understand 45MPH is plenty fast, is the swap compatible?
Brian Dear Brian,

Questions about torque wrenches, torque and threadloc

TorqueDear Lennard,I recently purchased my first full carbon bike, absolutely love it. Yet, I'm scared of over-torquing the seatpost clamp. Is there a torque wrench you could recommend that works on Allen wrenches? What's the worst that happens, the seatpost clamp needs replacing or I have this fear of the actual seat tube deforming, I'm not doing the Samsonite luggage monkey torque on it, but "hand tighten" is just too open to quantify.ThomasDear Thomas,First of all, carbon frames generally have a separate band clamp to tighten the seatpost, and, yes, the worst that can happen,