[Blade RR]

Been looking at getting some more bling fibre for the bike.

However, if you look at flee bay the prices are crazy. I mean how expensive can it be to produce ? It seems no matter where in the world the parts are all the same price within a few quid.

I have no problem paying for stuff but carbon fibre is way overpriced ?

[jafo]

id say the price is mostly recovering the cost of the tooling! ducati bits seem to be even more expensive but then the volumes are smaller!

....or we're just being ripped off!!

[Blade RR]

I think its just a rip off mike.

If you make the tool you can mass produce these parts in the thou's in no time.

DOnt even get me started ont e price for the termi's & ecu

[pugwash]

Apparently there is a global shortage on carbon fibre, according to a German supplier I use, inevitably pushing up the prices

[scotty]

My son makes carbon fibre parts for racing yachts. He says its not expensive but then he's not paying for it. You would want to see some of the stuff he makes. I really should get some bike bits from him.

[nab301]

Sure it's only money ,you can't take it with you (the money )

This sort of stuff ? http://www.sandbarcomposites.co.uk/

[jimgoose]

Good, well-made stuff is rather labour-intensive and highly-skilled, I understand?

[Blade RR]

Some interesting points above, loooks like i am gonna have to stump up.

[KaosTheory]

pugwash, on 23 November 2011 - 04:21 PM, said:

Apparently there is a global shortage on carbon fibre, according to a German supplier I use, inevitably pushing up the prices

True, more and more things are being built out of composite materials such as carbon fibre, look at the new Airbus A380, the Boeing 787 etc. More and more companies are turning to composite materials in the race for strength vs weight leading to supplies being rationed to the smaller companies at increased prices.

[KTRIC]

I think its to stop all the poor people buying it. Don't want every Tom, Dick (not shins ) or Harry buying it. Keep the price high, production low and create a demand. Simple economics

[jamesobrady]

Ah carbon fibre. Vacuum forms, ovens, health and safety......

There is rumours of a group of injury lawers doing the rounds at a few factories over the pond as carbon fibre is supposedly more dangerous than asbestos wrt lungs and the damage it causes. Recommending people go get chest xrays now, and again in 5 years if they stay working there.

[Larry]

jamesobrady, on 25 November 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:

Ah carbon fibre. Vacuum forms, ovens, health and safety......

There is rumours of a group of injury lawers doing the rounds at a few factories over the pond as carbon fibre is supposedly more dangerous than asbestos wrt lungs and the damage it causes. Recommending people go get chest xrays now, and again in 5 years if they stay working there.

But it looks so pretty, and its so light.................so maybe it kills a few people in the long term, sure what doesn't these days, rationing and health a safety might save a few lives, but think of the damage to the environment caused by the fuel that has to be burnt to propel vehicles that are needlessly heavy..................any why...............because the health and safety crowd put a stop to carbon fibre production..........................its a dam shame.

[LannDubh]

Lots of reasons!
Airbus created a shortage a few years ago with the A380, That's only 1 model of plain and it caused a global shortage!
also more and more products are made from carbon now so demand will keep the price of material up!

Next up its the chemicals used in its production that keep the procedure high cost!

And after you have the materials sorted it is a very labor intensive process!
Carbon is all laid by hand and finished by hand.

so in short you pay for what you get!

[Micko]

Bought some carbon fibre, hugger, plates etc and other bling from here over the years for the Ducati from http://www.carbon-tr....com/carbon.htm . All high quality stuff at good prices.