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Carbon fiber bicycles have become favorites of bicycle enthusiasts and racers, including those in the famed Tour de France. However, some carbon fiber bicycles have had catastrophic failure. There have been numerous CPSC recalls of the popular carbon fiber bicycles, sought after by bike riding enthusiasts because they are less than one quarter the weight of steel and some other substances.  Taiwan and China manufacture carbon fiber components for many of the major bicycle brands.

• January 25, 2013 -- About 12,200 -- 2012 and 2013 model road bicycles and framesets with the brand name "Specialized" on the frame. The steerer tube in the front fork can break, posing a fall hazard.
• June 2, 2009 -- About 260 -- 2005 Novara Trionfo Bicycles distributed by Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), Kent, Washington. The fork can separate from the steerer tube which can cause the rider to lose control, posing a fall hazard.
•  May 19, 2009 -- About 3,600 -- 2007 through 2009 Norco bicycle frames manufactured by Norco Performance Bikes, British Columbia, Canada. The bicycle frame can crack and separate, causing a rider to fall from the bicycle and suffer injuries.

Carbon is a synthetic composite material comprised of fibers soaked in epoxy resin and then compressed, heated and cured. While metal shows signs of damage, typically bends, dents or bulges, carbon may appear normal.  If compromised enough, even though you can't see the defect, the component could fail without warning. Another issue is notch sensitivity, which means that deep cuts, gouges or scratches can cause carbon to break. 

Even if you never crash your carbon fiber bicycle, you should frequently inspect all components for any gouges, deep scratches, cracks, loose fibers or other surface cracks and stop riding it until the problem is fixed.

On May 30, 2013, Komo 4 News  in Seattle, Washington, reported on the legal battles waged by three outdoor enthusiasts who were seriously injured when the carbon fiber REI brand bikes they were riding failed, breaking into pieces. These bicyclists suffered fractures, nerve damage, facial injuries, traumatic brain, and spine injuries.

"If there is any doubt at all about the integrity of your carbon fiber bicycle, please don't ride it. Have it immediately inspected by a professional," says Florida Defective Products Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Defective Product Attorney,  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,600 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.