I hate carbon !!
#26
Senior Member
Niner makes a carbon "adventure" / CX bike with front rack mounts, and the price isn't egregious: RLT 9 RDO 2-STAR APEX 1
you need to mosey over to the "i luvs me some crabon" thread, where discussion of price
is not permitted.
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I consider $3k excellent for a full carbon bicycle with a good wheelset and good component choices. You're also talking to the wrong person when you mention the available gears.....
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If you're buying from a shop, most places will drop that price by a lot once you get closer to the end of the year and the newer models have been out for a bit. MSRP on my last CX bike was something like 4k, got it for 1500.
Last edited by manapua_man; 05-13-17 at 02:05 PM.
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I will tell you, there is one fatal flaw of carbon bikes, and it really puts me off.
They don't come in my size.
They don't come in my size.
#30
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hot off the presses full retail real steel price?
msrp on my last steel frame was something like $500, but i got the closeout for about $85.
#31
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Niner makes a carbon "adventure" / CX bike with front rack mounts, and the price isn't egregious:
RLT 9 RDO 2-STAR APEX 1
RLT 9 RDO 2-STAR APEX 1
I own a Niner RLT 9 RDO which y'all are discussing and would be happy to answer any questions not answered in the build thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/recreation...rdo-build.html
Side loader cages were installed since the photo was taken.
This isn't a CX bike. It has an endurance road geometry, not a tight CX geometry. The RLT 9 RDO is Niner's gravel racing bike. RDO stands for "Race Day Optimized". The carbon layup (schedule) is very similar to that used on their mountain bikes and Niner tests them to mountain bike specs. Niner forks are revered in the gravel/MTB world.
This one is Ultegra Di2 50/34 front, 11/36 rear, 16° flared carbon bar, 29er wheels with larger rotors than the factory builds, Schawlbe G-One 35's (38 actual). It will fit 45's, maybe a little less in the rear. 19.8 lb with pedals, cages and GPS mount. Cost was a few dollars north of $6k.
Over the next year I plan on adding Apidura seat and bar bags and might get a Warbonnet hammock and/or start doing some light credit card touring. I'd like to tour Andalucia, Spain in 2019 or 2020 and would not hesitate to do it on this bike.
I couldn't care less if someone hates it.
PEACE
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 05-13-17 at 10:00 PM.
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No, I'm saying you shouldn't get hung up on MSRP regardless of the bike. There's plenty of overpriced steel and aluminum around too.
Besides, most bike shops I've dropped in to seem to sell below the listed price on the manufacturers site anyway.
Last edited by manapua_man; 05-13-17 at 11:50 PM.
#33
Full Member
I don't hate carbon, and actually have no direct experience with carbon bikes, outside of a carbon fork and seatpost about 10 years ago, with which I experienced no problems. A good friend of mine swears by it. The only reservation I would have about carbon is air transportation, those plane loading guys don't fill me with confidence. If touring in your own country, there may be no downside.
#34
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So here is the real issue. If I go touring on my Trek Bicycle how can I talk about Crabons on BF?
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After poo poo'ing carbon, because I'm kind of rough on my bikes, I started pondering the RLT 9 RDO and now the Haanjo EXP, the price is just too hard to beat. My concern with both is comfort. I realize this is a somewhat subjective opinion but how comfortable is the RDO compared to your most comfortable bike and what is your most comfortable bike?
#36
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I drove my carbon bike (Specialized Sirrus) into a roof, while it was fastened on a roofrack. Tore the whole roofrack off the roof with the bike still on. Got out of my car, walked to where the roofrack lay with the bike, separated the two, took the bike to the bike shop. Shop checked it out. Broke, two spokes and a brake handle. Other than that the bike was ok. That was two years ago and I'm still riding that sucker. :-)
Having said that, I do enjoy riding my Surly Disc Trucker more. I'm about same speed on both bikes. Go figure - probably the drop bars vs flat bar on the specialized Sirrus give me better aerodynamics. No idea.
Besides the pedals (one day I might put titanium eggbeaters on it), I have optimized everything else to save weight. Added carbon handlebars, carbon stem, carbon seat post, titanium rail bicycle seat, carbon rims, riding tubeless... I don't think I've gotten much faster than the original bike configuration ;-) I don't think adding the titanium eggbeaters will change that ;-) but when it comes to strength of the material I have no fear of carbon.
Having said that, I do enjoy riding my Surly Disc Trucker more. I'm about same speed on both bikes. Go figure - probably the drop bars vs flat bar on the specialized Sirrus give me better aerodynamics. No idea.
Besides the pedals (one day I might put titanium eggbeaters on it), I have optimized everything else to save weight. Added carbon handlebars, carbon stem, carbon seat post, titanium rail bicycle seat, carbon rims, riding tubeless... I don't think I've gotten much faster than the original bike configuration ;-) I don't think adding the titanium eggbeaters will change that ;-) but when it comes to strength of the material I have no fear of carbon.
#37
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I drove my carbon bike (Specialized Sirrus) into a roof, while it was fastened on a roofrack. Tore the whole roofrack off the roof with the bike still on. Got out of my car, walked to where the roofrack lay with the bike, separated the two, took the bike to the bike shop. Shop checked it out. Broke, two spokes and a brake handle. Other than that the bike was ok. That was two years ago and I'm still riding that sucker. :-)
Having said that, I do enjoy riding my Surly Disc Trucker more. I'm about same speed on both bikes. Go figure - probably the drop bars vs flat bar on the specialized Sirrus give me better aerodynamics. No idea.
Besides the pedals (one day I might put titanium eggbeaters on it), I have optimized everything else to save weight. Added carbon handlebars, carbon stem, carbon seat post, titanium rail bicycle seat, carbon rims, riding tubeless... I don't think I've gotten much faster than the original bike configuration ;-) I don't think adding the titanium eggbeaters will change that ;-) but when it comes to strength of the material I have no fear of carbon.
Having said that, I do enjoy riding my Surly Disc Trucker more. I'm about same speed on both bikes. Go figure - probably the drop bars vs flat bar on the specialized Sirrus give me better aerodynamics. No idea.
Besides the pedals (one day I might put titanium eggbeaters on it), I have optimized everything else to save weight. Added carbon handlebars, carbon stem, carbon seat post, titanium rail bicycle seat, carbon rims, riding tubeless... I don't think I've gotten much faster than the original bike configuration ;-) I don't think adding the titanium eggbeaters will change that ;-) but when it comes to strength of the material I have no fear of carbon.
#38
Junior Member
I don't know why anyone would hate carbon or any other modern bike frame material. They all have advantages and disadvantages. It's clearly demonstrated in this thread that certain carbon bikes are well suited for touring. Very light bikes can be made from steel tubes or heavy weights can be carbon. Weight, strength, geometry, fit, ride quality, and accessories are a consideration no matter the material. Do we all have a preferred frame material? Probably. Are some more suitable for certain applications? Maybe. Is one clearly superior to the others? No. It's an age old discussion that will never end.
#42
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#44
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#45
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Sorry for resurrecting this thread but I'm adding a pointless update: someone was selling new Eggbeaters 3 for $50 so I gave them a try. Saved 200 grams! ;-) And this morning I was 1 minute faster on a 14 mile commute! ;-) ... ok I'm going to chuckle to myself ...
I drove my carbon bike (Specialized Sirrus) into a roof, while it was fastened on a roofrack. Tore the whole roofrack off the roof with the bike still on. Got out of my car, walked to where the roofrack lay with the bike, separated the two, took the bike to the bike shop. Shop checked it out. Broke, two spokes and a brake handle. Other than that the bike was ok. That was two years ago and I'm still riding that sucker. :-)
Having said that, I do enjoy riding my Surly Disc Trucker more. I'm about same speed on both bikes. Go figure - probably the drop bars vs flat bar on the specialized Sirrus give me better aerodynamics. No idea.
Besides the pedals (one day I might put titanium eggbeaters on it), I have optimized everything else to save weight. Added carbon handlebars, carbon stem, carbon seat post, titanium rail bicycle seat, carbon rims, riding tubeless... I don't think I've gotten much faster than the original bike configuration ;-) I don't think adding the titanium eggbeaters will change that ;-) but when it comes to strength of the material I have no fear of carbon.
Having said that, I do enjoy riding my Surly Disc Trucker more. I'm about same speed on both bikes. Go figure - probably the drop bars vs flat bar on the specialized Sirrus give me better aerodynamics. No idea.
Besides the pedals (one day I might put titanium eggbeaters on it), I have optimized everything else to save weight. Added carbon handlebars, carbon stem, carbon seat post, titanium rail bicycle seat, carbon rims, riding tubeless... I don't think I've gotten much faster than the original bike configuration ;-) I don't think adding the titanium eggbeaters will change that ;-) but when it comes to strength of the material I have no fear of carbon.
#46
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That's what I'm working on🤣
Cheers!
Have you optimized the weight of the motor
#47
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Do not tell me I need to put out more effort!
... And yeah, the motor size could be a minor factor 😁
... And yeah, the motor size could be a minor factor 😁
#48
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After poo poo'ing carbon, because I'm kind of rough on my bikes, I started pondering the RLT 9 RDO and now the Haanjo EXP, the price is just too hard to beat. My concern with both is comfort. I realize this is a somewhat subjective opinion but how comfortable is the RDO compared to your most comfortable bike and what is your most comfortable bike?
I can't speak to it's durability but the Jamis Renegade Elite is another you may want to look at. It has an amazing parts mix and I would likely own it if it came with Di2.
The Niner is easily the most comfortable bike I own. My others are a highly modified steel fixed gear bike which rides like butter and an older Aluminum Fuji endurance bike which is actually rather harsh. The Niner just fits me better than the others but fit aside, I really enjoy riding the carbon. Keep in mind that this is the only carbon bike I've ever owned so my experience is limited but it does seem to absorb any harshness where the steel bike flexes and the aluminum bike transmits. I beat the crap out of the Niner too. I built it to ride, not to worship and am not afraid to use it.
Don't hesitate to send a PM if you have specific questions and please let me know what you decide.
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 06-07-17 at 09:49 PM.
#49
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Friend of a friend hit a tree last week. The Whisky carbon fork was completely (visually) undamaged while the Surly ICT frame folded in half. Now, that fork is likely compromised too, but it's a demonstration of the impact resistance and relative strength of modern carbon. The entire bike folded before the steering tube (also carbon) failed.
I say modern carbon very specifically because there has been a long maturation period to the material, and improving technologies in ultrasound and manufacturing in the last decade or so has really brought things to a new level. Today's carbon is many orders of magnitude more reliable than the carbon bikes of the onset.
I have no reservations about carbon. I used to, but I don't anymore. I usually gravitate towards steel for aesthetics, but my list of other reasons (durability, vibration damping, ride feel) is getting shorter since Carbon bikes often out-perform Steel in all categories, even flex. Even budget-wise, it's getting more accessible, and the entry level frames today compare well to pro frames from two or three years ago.
Carbon today? Totally different animal. I have zero reservations.
I have no reservations about carbon. I used to, but I don't anymore. I usually gravitate towards steel for aesthetics, but my list of other reasons (durability, vibration damping, ride feel) is getting shorter since Carbon bikes often out-perform Steel in all categories, even flex. Even budget-wise, it's getting more accessible, and the entry level frames today compare well to pro frames from two or three years ago.
Carbon today? Totally different animal. I have zero reservations.
#50
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