Spacer carbon

Types of spacer carbons

Strong, lightweight fiber molecules called carbon spacers are crucial for bike riders looking for ways to make their bike lighter without sacrificing strength and stability. Although the carbon molecules are the same, the designs of the carbon spacers vary according to their performance and use.

• Wide mouth carbon spacer

  The wide mouth carbon spacer has a wider diameter and is usually found at the bottom of the column. It provides more surface area for the stem to contact the steer tube, which is the tube of the fork in the headset. Additionally, it allows for more adjustment of the stem height. It is an ideal option for riders who are still discovering their ideal riding position and those who prefer a more upright riding position.

• Tapered carbon spacer

  Tapered carbon spacers are commonly found in modern bikes. They have a small diameter at the top and a larger diameter at the bottom, following the steerer tube's natural shape. They provide a clean and integrated look on the bike. Furthermore, they are a better option for weight reduction and retain the headset on the frame. These spacers are suitable for competitive riders who know their ideal stem height and prefer a more aerodynamic riding position.

• Stacked carbon spacers

  Stacked carbon spacers are simply multiple spacers stacked together. It is used when the steerer tube is cut very short. Riders can achieve different stem heights by combining various sizes of spacers. When determining the desired stem height, it is always easier to start with stacked carbon spacers. However, when riding, the stacked carbon spacers may not be aesthetically pleasing and could produce a wobbly effect.

• Top cap carbon spacer

  Top cap carbon spacers are small carbon spacers found under the top cap of the headset. It is used to adjust the headset preload. Although it uses almost to no height, it helps get the desired stem height.

Specification and maintenance of carbon spacers

Specifications of carbon spacers:

• Size and thickness: Carbon spacers come in various sizes depending on different types of bicycles. Typically, they measure around 10 to 25 mm in diameter with thickness options of 5 to 25 mm.
• Material: Carbon spacers are usually made of resin-impregnated carbon fiber, which offers light weight and strength. Some may also incorporate aluminum alloys for added durability.
• Weight: Aluminum spacers weigh approximately 5–10 grams, while some lower-density carbon spacers can weigh as little as 1 gram.
• Surface Finish: Carbon fiber spacers should be opted for with a fine or matte finish depending on personal preferences. Fine finishes produce smooth surfaces, while matte finishes create textured surfaces.
• Stackable: Stackable carbon spacers mean that they can be stacked together if more height is needed, thus increasing the number of configurations available to cyclists. However, stability becomes questionable when too many of them are stacked up.

Maintenance of carbon spacers:

• Clean the surface: Using a mild detergent and warm water, gently scrub any residual grease or dirt off your carbon spacer. Avoid using harsh chemicals; otherwise, they could damage your component.
• Check for damage: Inspect your carbon spacers carefully over time to ensure no cracks or deformations are present because such issues might compromise cycling safety.
• Avoid over-tightening: In the process of fixing your bike's stem or fork, refrain from over-tightening carbon spacers since this might cause them to crack or deform.
• Keep away from high temperatures: Do not expose carbon spacers to high temperatures, which will weaken their strength and stability.

Industry Scenarios of Using Carbon Spacers

The carbon spacer has so many applications in industries ranging from automotive, aerospace, oil, gas, to food processing. Those industries commonly need carbon spacers when installing or maintaining machinery and equipment. Below are some additional details about how carbon spacers apply to those industries.

• Aerospace Industry: An aircraft needs wheel spacer to ensure that its wheels are properly spaced. This is very important for the overall safety and performance of the aircraft.
• Food Industry: In the food sector, carbon spacers are used in sanitary filter housings, pumps, and valves. Carbon spacers can withstand aggressive cleaning agents and high-temperature sterilization processes. Therefore, they can help maintain the hygienic integrity of food systems.
• Oil and Gas Industry: Carbon spacers are also popular in the oil and gas industry, especially in high-pressure and high-temperature oil extraction. Carbon spacers support drilling equipment and oil extraction pumps. They can withstand harsh oil and gas extraction environments.
• Automotive Industry: Carbon spacers are widely used in the automotive industry. They are often used in bearings, hubs, and wheel assemblies. The carbon wheel spacers can improve the vehicle's stability and handling. They also allow easy adjustment of the wheel's position.
• Marine Industry: The carbon spacers are used to support the shafts and propellers of marine gearboxes. They help ensure that marine shaft assemblies work smoothly and stably.

How to choose carbon spacers

Carbon spacers are lightweight plastic sleeves made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer that allow wide tires to clear bicycle frames and forks. When purchasing these spacers, buyers must look beyond the materials and consider the design of the item, which can affect its ride quality.

Carbon spacers are designed mainly for head tubes and stems. Such spacers are used to support the steer tube of the fork or head tube. They provide adequate space between the top of the fork and stem to allow for adjustments to the riding position or stack height without cutting the fork steerer tube. This type of carbon spacer is typically light and slim. Many industry manufacturers offer it in various colors to match the bicycle look. Some products come with different diameters, such as 5mm, 10mm, and 15mm.

Matters concerning the steer tube's diameter require special attention. Generally, bicycle frames have different sizes of head tubes. Therefore, there is a need for an accurate brake and stem match for the fork steerers. Usually, there are three sizes: straight (non-tapered) 1-inch, tapered 1.5-1-1/8 inches, and 1-1/8 inches. Carbon fork spacers for straight steerer are roughly like a tube, while the tapered ones are larger on the bottom than on the top.

Bottom bracket spacers are also carbon-based. In these cases, the spacers control the bottom bracket bearings' position within the frame and prevent a creaky situation. These spacers are usually centered between the crank arms and situated within the frame's bottom bracket shell. In some cases, they can be used to adjust the width of the crank set, especially for bicycles intended to ride off-road.

Some bicycles may need hub carbon fiber spacers to reduce the wheel's overall width. This mainly happens in mountain bicycles designed to accommodate wide tires, which translate to wide wheel sets. The spacers are fitted between the wheel hub and frame at the rear. In most cases, this is done to improve frame clearance or adjust the chain.

Hub spacers can be found on disc brake bicycles. The brake rotor is usually machined closer to the frame. Therefore, hub spacers make it easy to move the rotor further away from the frame to allow sufficient clearance during the assembly of a bike wheel. Buyers should note that the material used to manufacture these types of spacers is very durable and can withstand a lot of pressure.

Q & A

Q1: What is the function of cup spacers?

A1: The cup spacer functions to limit the travel of the suspension so that the shock will not bottom out.

Q2: What are carbon fiber tubes used for?

A2: Carbon fiber tubes are commonly used in the aerospace, automotive, sports, and wind energy industries. They can serve as lightning masts, tent poles, bicycle frames, crossbars, and hollow shafts, to name a few applications.

Q3: How thick should a disc spacer be?

A3: A disc spacer's ideal thickness depends on the distance between the hub and caliper. Nevertheless, a thickness of around 5mm should suffice.

Q4: How do carbon fiber spacers compare to aluminum cup spacers?

A4: Carbon fiber spacers are stronger than aluminum, and they do not corrode. Nonetheless, aluminum cup spacers have better machinability and can be more cost-effective.