Carbon Fiber vs. other materials for commuter?
#76
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It's called a dutch bike mate. They are heavy. They are also built to last, so rust is not going to be a problem. As for racing, who cares? You don't go out and buy a car with the plan of racing it, and neither should you with a commuter bike. Buy a specific racer if that's what you want to do.
That is the beauty of bike commuting for some of us. We can go all out if we feel like it. Other people are happier not working up a sweat and tooling along at 12 mph. Nothing wrong with either approach. I really don't understand the need some people have to decide for others what is an appropriate commuter bike and what isn't. Pick a bike that suits your needs and your style. Don't worry about what others ride.
I have 3 different bikes I use for commuting. Two are road bikes. One of them is 10 years old and the other is 30. Barring an accident, I expect both of them to last as long as I'm interested in riding. Durability doesn't mean a bike has to weight 70+ lbs.
In fact my oldest brother still has his 70's racing bike. It had actual sew-ups. Didn't get his license until he was in his 30's and rode that bike everywhere. Still commutes on it, though he's had another bike for awhile now that he also uses. I don't know when he'll retire but he'll be 65 in a few years. That one bike has lasted him over 40 years, - more than his entire working career. In terms of durability I don't know that you can ask for much more from a commuter bike.
Last edited by tjspiel; 06-17-16 at 08:25 PM.
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#77
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I highly doubt that any CF bike would last as long as a steel frame...CF is disposable and only provides a short temporary service before it needs to be thrown out in the junk yard. Few dings and scratches would be enough to ruin a CF frame.
#78
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Yeah, that is why most MTB frames these days are CF, because, unlike road riding, MTBing has virtually no risk of scratching or dinging a frame and MTBing puts very little stress on the frame.
#79
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My 10 year old road bike has a CF fork and I have a 25 year old CF mast for my windsurfer. I don't baby either of them and have no reason to believe they won't last several more decades. CF is more susceptible to certain kinds of damage than steel and less susceptible to others. If you take reasonable care of it, it will last a very long time.
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#80
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At the shop itself I was looking at bikes while I was waiting for them to find the right sized spoke. I saw a Salsa Warbird and holy crap is that one beefy carbon framed bike. It's their racing gravel bike. I'm guessing the owners of bikes like that don't worry too much about dings and scratches either.
Last edited by tjspiel; 06-18-16 at 11:47 AM.
#81
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In fact my oldest brother still has his 70's racing bike. It had actual sew-ups. Didn't get his license until he was in his 30's and rode that bike everywhere. Still commutes on it, though he's had another bike for awhile now that he also uses. I don't know when he'll retire but he'll be 65 in a few years. That one bike has lasted him over 40 years, - more than his entire working career. In terms of durability I don't know that you can ask for much more from a commuter bike.
I built up a Colnago C-40 frame from the mid to late 90's. I've only been riding the bike for a couple of months, but so far I'm extremely happy with it. I can't say it would have ridden any different 15 or 20 years ago. But there is no reason for me to believe it won't last for quite some time into the future.
I am a little worried about things like cable housings that used to last for decades, and now are considered short-term wear items.
There are, in fact, quite a few CF MTB frames and components. Nobody likes to ride a 50 pound bike up hills that would make roadies weep. And, as far as I can tell, the CF MTB parts are TOUGH.
#82
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The only parts that have ever worried me on my MTB as my CF rims and CF seat post. Yet, the rims have seen hundreds of black diamond runs and are still true and looking great. My issue with the seat post is what might happen if it broke.
#84
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The one thing I'm concerned about is Chinese C.F. It has a bad reputation in the business of not being the same quality as other brands or companies. As the list has said, if you crack or chip carbon fiber (even a tiniest amount) it's all over. You've bought yourself a new frame. There are several companies out there who claim they can repair carbon fiber, but every well known manufacturer says it would automatically void the warranty if you try it.
#85
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The one thing I'm concerned about is Chinese C.F. It has a bad reputation in the business of not being the same quality as other brands or companies. As the list has said, if you crack or chip carbon fiber (even a tiniest amount) it's all over. You've bought yourself a new frame. There are several companies out there who claim they can repair carbon fiber, but every well known manufacturer says it would automatically void the warranty if you try it.
By the way, I have 3CF bikes, 2 aluminum, and 1 steel. So, my issue isn't about defending CF as much as it is about saying some of this information is of poor quality.
#86
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The one thing I'm concerned about is Chinese C.F. It has a bad reputation in the business of not being the same quality as other brands or companies. As the list has said, if you crack or chip carbon fiber (even a tiniest amount) it's all over. You've bought yourself a new frame. There are several companies out there who claim they can repair carbon fiber, but every well known manufacturer says it would automatically void the warranty if you try it.
Carbon fiber is significantly more repairable than aluminum and even light-weight steel. Aluminum is nearly impossible to repair because welding would ruin the heat treating of the thin-walled tubing.
There's a Santa Cruz video where they try to break a frame by hammering the downtube against a concrete block with no effect.
#87
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I commuted on two steel frames and now a CF SuperSix for 5 years. Both steel frames cracked at the BB and could not be fixed, but that is not typical.
Best thing about CF is I no longer burn my inner thigh on the TT when waiting at a light. I have a scar from my black steel commuter.
Best thing about CF is I no longer burn my inner thigh on the TT when waiting at a light. I have a scar from my black steel commuter.
#88
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Hi All,
There are a lot of opinions on using carbon fibre for a commuter bike, but I was interested I was hoping to get a little more insight from the community here.
For next summer (2017) I want to build a new bike from scratch, and am pondering materials.
I know this will probably be more expensive than just buying new, but I would like to build up from the ground-up, just cuz.
I hear a nice light chromoly makes for a better commuting frame, as it can take limitess abuse
However, (chinese) carbon frames are getting so affordable now, they are a tempting option.
My current steel bike would become my winter bike
Any and all input is appreciated!
There are a lot of opinions on using carbon fibre for a commuter bike, but I was interested I was hoping to get a little more insight from the community here.
For next summer (2017) I want to build a new bike from scratch, and am pondering materials.
I know this will probably be more expensive than just buying new, but I would like to build up from the ground-up, just cuz.
I hear a nice light chromoly makes for a better commuting frame, as it can take limitess abuse
However, (chinese) carbon frames are getting so affordable now, they are a tempting option.
My current steel bike would become my winter bike
Any and all input is appreciated!
#89
Senior Member
People who play a lot of tennis (like college level or above) will replace their rackets every couple of years (or less if they're a little obsessive about it) because the rackets will start to feel "soft", but not because they're worried about them breaking. A lot of that is probably imagination but it comes after thousands of hits and many re-stringings which puts a lot of load on the frame. Bike frames don't haven to endure that kind of stuff.
Last edited by tjspiel; 06-21-16 at 08:12 AM.
#90
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I also had a steel Colnago crack at the BB. Perhaps not that uncommon. Phoned around every shop in the city and couldn't find anyone to weld it back together. I didn't care about painting it and just wanted the frame to mount on a trainer. I think the BB area on CF bikes is much sturdier and less likely to fail.
#91
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When researching it is so easy to exaggerate material pros/cons in your mind, and lose perspective of performance in practical applications. Too easy to make mountains of molehills. Community feedback helps keep things realistic.
Other people are happier not working up a sweat and tooling along at 12 mph. Nothing wrong with either approach. I really don't understand the need some people have to decide for others what is an appropriate commuter bike and what isn't. Pick a bike that suits your needs and your style. Don't worry about what others ride.
#92
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I also had a steel Colnago crack at the BB. Perhaps not that uncommon. Phoned around every shop in the city and couldn't find anyone to weld it back together. I didn't care about painting it and just wanted the frame to mount on a trainer. I think the BB area on CF bikes is much sturdier and less likely to fail.
#93
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So, based on what I've seen here, and read elsewhere, let me know if this seems accurate about CF:
PROS
Durability - arguably better or worse, depending on perspective, but essentially a non-issue
Weight - Great, but of dubious value
Looks - Cool as hell
Price - comparable to Aluminum, better then Ti
CONS
Theft - big issue! (I commute direct to work and home 99% of the time. Office parking lot has no foot traffic, in a controlled area, near an airstrip)
Repair - conflicting thoughts on this. At any rate, unlikely regardless of material, and expensive to fix regardless of material
The Chinese Issue - will do more research, but my suspicion is that most vendors from China are simply OEM producers of parts for bike manufacturers. My belief is that if you select the right vendor, you'll be fine. Some people get a little hysterical over goods from China.
Am I missing anything?
PROS
Durability - arguably better or worse, depending on perspective, but essentially a non-issue
Weight - Great, but of dubious value
Looks - Cool as hell
Price - comparable to Aluminum, better then Ti
CONS
Theft - big issue! (I commute direct to work and home 99% of the time. Office parking lot has no foot traffic, in a controlled area, near an airstrip)
Repair - conflicting thoughts on this. At any rate, unlikely regardless of material, and expensive to fix regardless of material
The Chinese Issue - will do more research, but my suspicion is that most vendors from China are simply OEM producers of parts for bike manufacturers. My belief is that if you select the right vendor, you'll be fine. Some people get a little hysterical over goods from China.
Am I missing anything?
#94
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What the heck do I need to carry to work?
A computer.
A change of clothes (or two, depending on the heat and rain).
Lunch.
Bike tools and a lock.
Library books my wife has checked out that I need to return.
A load of groceries on the return trip.
Crap from the hardware store for my wife's home improvement projects on the return trip.
Plants for my wife's garden on the return trip.
And a lot more. I haven't even started listing all the stuff I carry for the kids. Some days what I really need is a rack, panniers, a pack, AND a heavy-duty bike trailer.
A computer.
A change of clothes (or two, depending on the heat and rain).
Lunch.
Bike tools and a lock.
Library books my wife has checked out that I need to return.
A load of groceries on the return trip.
Crap from the hardware store for my wife's home improvement projects on the return trip.
Plants for my wife's garden on the return trip.
And a lot more. I haven't even started listing all the stuff I carry for the kids. Some days what I really need is a rack, panniers, a pack, AND a heavy-duty bike trailer.
Work clothes, tools, keys, spare tubes, mini pump, wallet, phone.
That's it. I leave the computer (laptop) at home. Also have a desktop at work. No lunch. Prolly should try to bring something (have room in backpack). Leave the lock on the bike rack at work. Let the wife do the grocery shopping. She's full-time mom with the kid in daycare from 8:30am to 3pm.
Last edited by ptempel; 06-21-16 at 10:32 AM.
#95
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I'd probably keep a separate utility bike for most of that stuff and maybe do those errands after the commute or on the weekends. But it sounds like you have a busier lifestyle than I do. Here's the stuff I carry:
Work clothes, tools, keys, spare tubes, mini pump.
That's it. I leave the computer (laptop) at home. Also have a desktop at work. No lunch. Prolly should try to bring something (have room in backpack). Leave the lock on the bike rack at work. Let the wife do the grocery shopping.
Work clothes, tools, keys, spare tubes, mini pump.
That's it. I leave the computer (laptop) at home. Also have a desktop at work. No lunch. Prolly should try to bring something (have room in backpack). Leave the lock on the bike rack at work. Let the wife do the grocery shopping.
EDIT: I didn't see your edit. Small kids - I'm sure you are in a hurry to get home. Mine are grown and off on their own. Makes a big difference. Glad to see you are finding a way to get some mileage - sounds like a reasonable plan.
Last edited by andyprough; 06-21-16 at 10:51 AM.
#96
Nice link to someone who commutes long distance in Vancouver Canada with a carbon fibre bike and rims and Campy Super Record.
#97
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Dutch upright bikes tend to be very heavy.
#98
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What brings you here, satrain18 ?
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