carbon/ali bike

[Jacqsb]

Hi
Just wondering if anybody has advice.
Looking for a new road bike. Old one is a Giant, aluminium frame.( very old ! )
Looking at carbon/aluminium mix.
My thinking is that if I got a bike towards the top end of the mix rather than spending the same money on a carbon one which would be a the lower end of the carbon scale.
Any body got any advice on this and / or best makes etc.
Would be used for duathlon and triathlon.
Thanks in advance
Jac

 

[Cyclist33]

There don't seem to be that many these days that are carbon/alu mix...

So maybe second hand..?

 

[BSRU]

There's loads of alu bikes with carbon forks, Specialized and Cannondale just to mention two of many brands.

 

[Cyclist33]

There's loads of alu bikes with carbon forks, Specialized and Cannondale just to mention two of many brands.

Of course... I took it to mean a frame composed of aluminium with carbon chain- and/or seat-stays.

Stu

 

[BSRU]

Of course... I took it to mean a frame composed of aluminium with carbon chain- and/or seat-stays.

Stu

I think it was too much hassle for manufacturers and a any join between different materials can be a weak point, as I found out recently.
I used to have one a 2010 Specialized Secteur Comp but the carbon seat stays were replaced with aluminium on the 2012 version.

 

[Cyclist33]

Yes, right, and carbon also has become less "exotic" or at any rate it's easier to get a full carbon frame at a lower price, so the value package of alu/carbon is less than before.

 

[vickster]

What's the budget?

£800 for Giant Avail 1? Renowned alu frame/carbon forks, 105 gearing

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/giant-avail-1-14

Or how about something rather pretty in carbon from Planet X? Fab SRAM gearing with hoods well suited to smaller female hands

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIVLDY/planet-x-pro-carbon-sram-rival-womens-road-bike

Just noticed your location...Decathlon make very good vfm roadbikes in alu and carbon too (not sure on what they have in WSD if that's important)