Raigoki

Hi guys, just want to get your opinion on this...

When would you think is the best time to upgrade from aluminum frame to carbon frame?
Is it recommendable for a weekend rider/recreational cyclist to own one?
What are your reasons on upgrading from aluminum to carbon?

hayden52

When your aluminum frame breaks and you need a new bike.

FBinNY 

Speaking as one who hasn't, but does ride Ti, the answer is when you're ready. If you have the desire, and the dough to finance it, why not. But whether you're a recreational, or a serious road warrior, don't expect miracles. Everyone will probably see an improvement, but nobody will see a sea change.

rydabent

Is a carbon frame really an "upgrade" from a high quality aluminium frame?

AlmostTrick

When you become a professional racer.

Or... when you want to blow a wad of money and gain the ability to start posting "Has this tiny scratch/scrape/chip compromised the integrity of my fancy, high $$$ CF bike?" threads.

redtires

My opinion?? Whenever you want. I've been riding aluminum for a while and went full carbon a couple of months ago for my new bike. One, I got a SCREAMING deal on a new frame/fork and I can do the complete build myself, plus the only thing I "had" to buy extra was a seatpost. And that was a new carbon post found in a bin at the community bike shop for $20. I bought a ton of other stuff....but I didn't "need" too. Honestly, if you want a carbon bike, get one. You'll most likely love the way it rides, make sure you get the one that fits, and get a torque wrench...ride and be happy. I don't put a ton of weight on what people recommend as far as what they think I "should" ride. I go by what I want, what I can afford and the best ride and fit for that money. I've had steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon. Each category has had horrible riding frames and beautifully magical ride qualities.

knobster

What's wrong with your aluminum frame? The best riding bike I've ever had was an aluminum bike. The worst riding bike I had was also an aluminum bike. If the ride is fine, save your money. You won't see much of a difference. My first bike I had was an aluminum Trek and it was horrible. I upgraded to a carbon Trek and it was a night and day difference.

Stucky

CF isn't necessarily an upgrade over aluminum. A bike's geometry and construction methods and overall quality determine ride characteristics and quality more so than what material was used to make the frame. My Venge [High-end brand name CF) has NOTHING on my old aluminum Klein [probably the best aluminum bikes ever made]- there are a lot of entry-level/mid-level CF bikes out there which weigh significantly more than my aluminum Klein...and which don't ride half as nice. .Just because a bike is made of CF, doesn't mean a thing.

TejanoTrackie 

I bought my first full carbon framed road bike a little over a year ago to replace a ten year old aluminum framed bike, and I noticed a significant reduction in ride harshness on rough roads such as the chip seal pavement we have on country roads where I live. Both bikes have full carbon forks, have nearly identical geometry and the same tires, so the difference is strictly in the frame itself. The carbon bike is slightly lighter, but this was not the main consideration. So, in my case the carbon framed bike was definitely an improvement over the aluminum one.

hueyhoolihan

ride whatever you want, you'll never know just from listening to other people's opinions.

but i would warn you that you may be shocked that you are not shocked at the difference.

Little Darwin

Without knowing what your requirements are beyond frame material, I can only guess.

My best guess is June 17, 2016 at about 12:43 PM local time...

obed7

CF is not the cure all...I went from aluminum to cf because I felt the difference in the ride (same geometry)
I can not say that there was any huge improvement in my performance as a result of the change (immediately)....
for me the cf improved my performance because I was able to ride longer in comfort, thereby improving my condition, which improved my performance... so indirectly and over time the cf did improve my performance.

Jarrett2

ASAP!

I went from AL to CF due to the rough arse roads where I ride.

BobbyG

Don't forget to try out some steel frames. You may find one whose comfort, flexibility and stength outweigh its weight.

WonderMonkey

I don't think I would. However I do enjoy my carbon forks.

If you just WANT one then have at it. Only a few are able to detect the performance increase over a bike of similar geometry.

2702

True, for me. I am a complete steel convert, rather be more comfortable than going faster with a stiff carbon bike. AL bikes just don't feel all that great to me, pogo stick at times. If I do buy AL again it would be a softer frame like Trek's FX line.

D1andonlyDman

Personally, I don't think it's a performance upgrade, per se. I think it's a comfort upgrade at a given level of performance. Relative to steel, IMHO, it's neither, other than a weight reduction at a given level of performance and comfort.

bikejrff

I think this is correct....

I went aluminum, carbon, aluminum, carbon, aluminum, carbon, carbon, carbon, aluminum, carbon, steel, titanium, aluminum, aluminum, steel, carbon, carbon, titanium.

I'd agree aluminum to carbon in itself is not an upgrade.

Stucky

What weight? I'd bet you'd find a lot of people on this very forum who are riding steel bikes which weigh less than the CF bikes which some are riding.

bowlofsalad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF4MIEkIBZs Worth a watch.

D1andonlyDman

Well, it's not a LOT of weight. I'd say it's a couple of pounds, typically, as most steel frame + fork combos tend to come in around 5.5-6.5 pounds, and most carbon fiber frame + fork combos tend to come in at maybe 3.5 to 4.5 pounds.

One related issue is, a lot of folks who ride classic older steel also ride Brooks or similar leather saddles, which (except for the ones with Titanium rails, which shave about 120 grams compared to steel) generally come in at over 500-540 grams, or roughly a half pound more than most newer racing saddles that are largely made from plastic.

bikemig 

The material the bike is made from is, well, immaterial to your decision. The reason to change is because you want a new bike. Go for it if it will make you happy.

Looigi

IMO, there is no question that CF is by far the best material for bike frames where weight, performance and quality of ride and handling are concerned. However, how well any frame works depends on the design and fabrication as well as the materials. It's certainly possible to build a poorly performing frame out of CF. However, quality CF design and fabrication methods have become more established and widespread so it's much less likely for there to be clunkers on the market. In the end, the proof is in the pudding. Research the models you might be interested in, read the reviews and anecdotal reports, and try to get a meaningful test ride in, which IMO would be taking it on typical solo or group ride that you do, not just a spin around the parking lot of a shop.

FWIW: I own and ride CF, Ti and Al bikes and love them all. I just love CF a bit more and any new bike I buy will almost certainly be CF.

Drew Eckhardt 

When

1. There's a hill climb time trial in your future.
2. You don't have body fat left to loose, as in ribs/sternum/veins sticking out and concerned about falling below your minimum safe weight not just thin by American standards.
3. Each pound less is 20 seconds.

it might be time to build a 12 pound carbon fiber bike.

fietsbob

Never?

I just stopped caring about keeping up with the latest stuff the marketing machines want me to Buy..

In my 30s, I had a pro quality Aluminum Bonded aluminum frame.fork bike, when it showed cracks, I got a Steel frame for those Road components .



This one is Welded , hand finished Aluminum , 7005 Alloy & heat treated after finishing,

they have been proven in use by more adventurous world Touring Cyclists than I..

WB Bicycle Gallery: Robert Clark's Koga Miyata WTR