Are Carbon Road frames really worth the extra cost?
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Sometimes a more useful question is "what else are you saving it for?" If there's something specific and important, well, there's your priority. If not, well... What I think everyone needs to find is a bike you really like, one you want to get on all the time, one that will last you through all the evolution your riding future might hold. If the enthusiasm is tempered, don't spend much. If the enthusiasm is ingrained and growing, look up the line. If you know you will be doing this for hours and hours every week for as far as you can see, then go big or go home.
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What I'm saying is that it's ok to invest in what you FEEL is great, because everyone will have a different opinion.
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An Al frame** with higher-end, supple tires will ride as well or better than any CF with gatorskins (no slight to gatorskins, they have a place too), or any stiffer tire.
edit: ** AL frame - meaning an Al road frame from the manufacturers mentioned in post #1.
edit: ** AL frame - meaning an Al road frame from the manufacturers mentioned in post #1.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 01-24-22 at 05:03 PM.
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Carbon frames have absolutely zero advantages over steel or aluminum frames...Even if carbon bikes became dirt cheap I still wouldn't purchase one.
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#33
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Carbon frames tend to be lighter but stiffness will depend on models, new carbon bikes these days also prioritize comfort. Either way bike manufacturers make a huge margin between price of manufacturing and selling price and they can get away with it. In my opinion, the workmanship of the carbon frames in bicycles are not held to the same standards as in other industries and should be better especially for the price we pay for. For the most part it's fine, but sometimes the poor tolerances can cause issues. I personally have a carbon bike and i love it, but I also did my research before purchasing, because not all carbon frames are the same.
Last edited by HumbleBiker; 01-24-22 at 08:24 PM.
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#35
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I have multiple good road bikes in each of steel, alu, titanium and carbon. I cannot tell the difference between them; the arm waving that folks do regarding 'ride quality' is solely due to tires, tire inflation pressure and the saddle. But the bikes definitely sound different.
Exception to my above assessment - carbon bikes are lighter. You can build a strong, stiff, and well-tuned road frame for the following weights:
All things being equal, carbon for the win.
Exception to my above assessment - carbon bikes are lighter. You can build a strong, stiff, and well-tuned road frame for the following weights:
- Steel: 1,500-1,700g
- Alu: 1,300g
- Titanium: ditto
- Carbon: <1,000g.
All things being equal, carbon for the win.
Last edited by Dave Mayer; 01-24-22 at 09:20 PM.
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Steel is real, Ti is fly, Wood is good, Bamboo is for you but aluminum and carbon don't rhyme and there for are insufficient for a frame material.
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#38
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I don't see a reason to go carbon, unless you're racing.
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OP's question was whether carbon really feels better than aluminum, not whether he should spend money to get carbon if he had a strong feeling about it.
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In short, you are wrong.
I own or have owned frames in all of the above material but experience isn't needed, this is basic material science.
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I'd rather buy CF from a "2nd tier" manufacturer than aluminium from Trek or Specialized and the price would be almost similar.
Lighter, comfortable, longer lasting than alloy... I'd get it. CF bike with CF handlebars and seatpost is more comfortable than steel plus alloy components in my experience.
Lighter, comfortable, longer lasting than alloy... I'd get it. CF bike with CF handlebars and seatpost is more comfortable than steel plus alloy components in my experience.
Last edited by Branko D; 01-25-22 at 07:03 AM.
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I don't see a reason not to go carbon unless you can't afford it or simply prefer a *insert frame material of choice here* frame for whatever reason.
Carbon just happens to be a great material for making light/stiff/comfortable bike frames. Only real downside is relatively high cost.
Carbon just happens to be a great material for making light/stiff/comfortable bike frames. Only real downside is relatively high cost.
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Chum and they will come.
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Agreed, the real question is whether those advantages are going to make a noticeable difference to the OP. That's the subjective question we really can't answer, but may or may not be able to make some pretty good educated guesses.
BTW, nothing in what you say excludes the possibility that a well-made and designed non-carbon frame would not possibly have huge advantages over a crappy quality carbon frame.
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To the OP: if I was on the market for a new road bike, I would look at the quality of the builds, specs and if the bottom bracket is threaded or press fit.
Frame material would be just one of multiple factors to consider besides price.
Frame material would be just one of multiple factors to consider besides price.
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Agreed, the real question is whether those advantages are going to make a noticeable difference to the OP. That's the subjective question we really can't answer, but may or may not be able to make some pretty good educated guesses.
BTW, nothing in what you say excludes the possibility that a well-made and designed non-carbon frame would not possibly have huge advantages over a crappy quality carbon frame.
BTW, nothing in what you say excludes the possibility that a well-made and designed non-carbon frame would not possibly have huge advantages over a crappy quality carbon frame.
I did not read all of the posts in the thread but tire selection and pressure can make more of a difference than frame material. If money is a consideration, I would suggest OP get the aluminum but put supple, wider tires at lower pressure.
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Yes, there are crappy engineers and crappy companies out there.
I did not read all of the posts in the thread but tire selection and pressure can make more of a difference than frame material. If money is a consideration, I would suggest OP get the aluminum but put supple, wider tires at lower pressure.
I did not read all of the posts in the thread but tire selection and pressure can make more of a difference than frame material. If money is a consideration, I would suggest OP get the aluminum but put supple, wider tires at lower pressure.
What I find funny about these frame material arguments is people acting like there's only one possible correct answer to a clearly subjective question--which is really some version of "what best suits my tastes and preferences?"