As upgrades go, carbon wheels are right up there. But what happens if they go wrong?
Answer
You couldn’t have timed the question better. First off, this is not a rant about how bad carbon fibre wheels are. I think they are pretty amazing to look at and reduce weight. I also know companies like BMW offer them as standard on their tricked-out bikes.
However, I have recently won a case involving a carbon fibre wheel we allege failed. I am no expert on the manufacture or construction of carbon fibre, which is why I got an expert to examine this wheel and provide a report. First lesson, save your evidence! This may sound obvious, but if you are unlucky enough to have a crash due to a failed wheel, keep hold of the wheel (and any parts of it which broke off). It is needed in order to examine, especially if the defendant alleges you just crashed and it had nothing to do with the wheel itself.
The expert report findings were interesting! First of all, carbon fibre is made from layer upon layer of built-up carbon sheets. This doesn’t ordinarily lend itself to the circular shape of a wheel. As such, you will find the component parts are bonded together with a resin/glue. This became the failure point on the carbon wheel case I refer to, the expert commenting on the fact this glue has to heat up/cool down over and over and can result in it failing.
Add to that, the carbon doesn’t always do too well in soaking up bumps in the same way alloy metals do. Given the state of our roads, I would strongly suggest constant visual assessment of carbon fibre wheels. I know a lot of these wheels might be used on track, which is a lot better with regards to pothole impacts, but obviously a lot of them on the heat cycles.
When it comes to legal recourse, it depends on who you purchased the wheels/bike from. If it is a business seller and you are an ordinary consumer, then they may have a liability to you. Buying privately is a high risk, as the seller doesn’t owe you the same duty under the law. It is very much a case of “buyer beware” meaning you have to thoroughly do your own checks.
Gavin Grewal
Fast Bikes – May 2026