Fangowolf

Would you be scared of non-descript carbon at 300lbs?
I'm in line for Jamis renegade s3 but this is pretty much the same bike in carbon.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...oadbike-xx.htm

zjrog

I'm generally leary of carbon fiber from the standpoint of, in a crash, I don't want the fibers in my skin. I guess it's a hold over from my time in the Navy and working around aircraft crashes. Carbon fiber and kevlar in the skin are realllly bad... Not to mention the dust is bad for the lungs and air tract.

Having said that, this year I went out on a limb and my newer bike has a carbon fork and seatpost...

Fangowolf

Yea I think I would be less concerned if it wasn't a gravel bike for my first carbon. I ventured into aluminum and regretted that.

BIGDCYCLES

I'm under 300 and carbon still makes me nervous. I would be more confident in it under 250. Riding gravel on carbon would be a big no for me although I'm sure someone heavier has tried it.

jsigone

I got hit nearly head on from a car making left turn in front of me. I was doing 32mph + car speed. And my Cannondale Super six frame had fine cracks in the PAINT on the head tube. I think carbon is pretty dang strong. Allot stronger than the 10 bones I broke.

I've done this ride 5 times on carbon bike and haven't cracked it yet!! 140mile rides, 45 on dirt and 12k ft of climbing/decending

https://cyclingtips.com/2018/04/phot...n-waffle-ride/

Fangowolf

Hey JS would Bike directs carbon be as good?

I'm not going to do technical stuff, just dirt roads and grass on Bayou Shoulders.

shelbyfv

I don't think most would consider a BD bike "pretty much the same" as a Jamis. Which Renegade have you agreed to purchase?

cyclist2000

I have a carbon bike and was riding it when I weighed around 240ish. never had any problems and I don't have problems with buying another carbon bike. I was very leary after I purchased the frame on Ebay because it was a carbon Giant frame but had been painted to look like a Colnago, I had some initial regrets because it was painted and I couldn't see if there were any problems with the frame. It turned out fine.

cyclist2000

I agree, OP why do you think that it is "pretty much the same"? because it has the same level of equipment? The frame angles are the same?

jsigone

at that price point you are right in there with big name brands that offer lifetime warranty to 1st owner for a few hundred dollars more and have better resale value in a few yrs after you upgrade. BD bike will not have resale value at all.. Upgrade wheels if you start popping spokes often. Generally you will find 2019 bikes for 15-30% off MSRP cuz shops are getting in the new models now and need space off the books.

https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.co...5-345718-1.htm

https://bicyclewarehouse.com/collect...road-bike-2019

https://www.eriksbikeshop.com/Specia...hoC8VwQAvD_BwE

Fangowolf

I haven't agreed to purchase but the bike shop is going to call me when they get the 54 S3 in shop. The equipment nd geometry are pretty much the same on the bikes, but I don't think its the time to try carbon yet. I'll stick with steel for now. Thanks for the suggestions JS

Jon T

You won't catch me on ANY cf---EVER!!
Jon

DrIsotope

Carbon is no more or less safe than any other appropriate frame material. I know a guy who races downhill MTB, and always on alloy frames. I asked why, and he said, "Because they're cheaper to replace when they break. And they break all the time."

TheDudeIsHere

I've actually had better luck with carbon than aluminum.

Alum frame #1 , snap 13,000 miles.
Alum frame #2 , snap 13,000 miles.

Carbon frame #1 15,000 miles.......NO PROBLEM!!!!

Never ever had a problem with a carbon fork after 60,000+ miles on various carbon forks since 1998.

I will do my best to avoid alum from now on.

Toadmeister

I'm 6'4"260# and LOVE my Jamis Renegade. For what I use it for (gravel, trail, road, bike packing, commute), it's solid. I trust Steel as I have a history of being hard on things. It's a quality bike from the frame to wheelset.

I also have a Aluminum Motobocane Fat Tire from Bikes Direct. Nice bike at a good value, but I know that frame and wheelset won't have the life of my Jamis Renegade. This is OK as I won't put on as many miles on this bike.

So in summary; how long do you expect to own this bike and how many miles, how many hard miles are you going to put on it? You will get what you pay for.