Thinking of getting myself my first road bike, but whats the pro's and cons of carbon frames apart from the obvious being lighter and more expensive and aluminuim being heavier but cheaper , does aluminuim last longer, is it less likely to crack or is carbon tougher and more shock absorbing . Not a serious roadie i would be using this bike for summer commuting use, would'nt want to pay more than £1000, any thoughts or advice would be good.
carbon V aluminuim
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Both good,and so is steel.
The only thing you need to watch with carbon, is whacking it on sharp objects - it doesn't dent like steel. Other than a little more TLC for carbon (i.e. not bashing it), you'll easily get a good road bike for £1k... carbon or alloy/carbon....
The only thing you need to watch with carbon, is whacking it on sharp objects - it doesn't dent like steel. Other than a little more TLC for carbon (i.e. not bashing it), you'll easily get a good road bike for £1k... carbon or alloy/carbon....
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I love my carbon bike it gives a much smoother ride IMO but I wouldn't use it to commute, I wouldn't subject it to the Edinburgh roads too often. I'd also hate leaving it in the bike shed at work, touch wood it'd never be stolen but I don't think other cyclist would appreciate it, given how somebody else's road bike was just lifted (or thrown) carelessly on top of mine tonight. Touch wood again nothing has ever happened but after a innocuous knock on carbon I'd be really worried.
Gerry Attrick
Lincolnshire Mountain Rescue Consultant
Well......you pays your money...... However, carbon damps out the road vibes like no other, and as for it being longer lasting, well who knows. Cannondale give a lifetime warranty on their frames, so they at least have faith in carbon. I personally find aluminium a little hard on the b*m, and I do ride carbon so I have put my money where my mouth is. I recommend riding both, as many examples as possible, then make up your own mind. Best of luck
Chrisz
Über Member
- Location
- Sittingbourne
Gerry Attrick said:
So do Orbea
I would not go for carbon for a commuter - I don't know any carbon frames that can take mudguards or a rack - and the majority have pretty tight racing geometry. Steel would be my choice, but a quality aluminium frame with carbon forks (with mudguard eyes) would do the job too.
Tim Bennet.
Entirely Average Member
- Location
- S of Kendal
There are carbon audax frames that do that. Hewitt is working with a firm in Italy to develop another at the moment.
dudi
Senior Member
- Location
- Ipswich, Suffolk
I'm considering carbon for my next bike...
either the focus cayo 105 or the Dolan Mythos... both look like excellent value for money. but i'm concerned i'm too clumsy for carbon...
either the focus cayo 105 or the Dolan Mythos... both look like excellent value for money. but i'm concerned i'm too clumsy for carbon...
RedBike
New Member
- Location
- Beside the road
At the £1000 mark you could well find that some aluminium frames at this price mark are lighter than some carbon frames. Also you will probably get a better (lighter) list of parts hung on that lighter aluminium bike.
If you're after comfort then you might also want to look at a steel bike. Sterotypically budget carbon bikes are aimed at the race market so they tend to have racing geometries and rather stiff frames. Steel bikes are aimed more at the touring /audax market so they are designed with long all day rides in mind.
For commuting I would go for something that takes full length mud-guards and possibly even a rack. There's not many suitable carbon frames out there.
If you're after comfort then you might also want to look at a steel bike. Sterotypically budget carbon bikes are aimed at the race market so they tend to have racing geometries and rather stiff frames. Steel bikes are aimed more at the touring /audax market so they are designed with long all day rides in mind.
For commuting I would go for something that takes full length mud-guards and possibly even a rack. There's not many suitable carbon frames out there.
+1 Redbike.
For commuting, it has to be some non-descript thing not worthy of a thief's attention.
The usual commute hack is a steel framed pre-used.
Serious commuters might go for a lightweight but diguise the frame with spraypaint or lots of stickers.
Being bashed in the bikeshed is an issue. There are some jealous wotsits around, even where you work.
For commuting, it has to be some non-descript thing not worthy of a thief's attention.
The usual commute hack is a steel framed pre-used.
Serious commuters might go for a lightweight but diguise the frame with spraypaint or lots of stickers.
Being bashed in the bikeshed is an issue. There are some jealous wotsits around, even where you work.
ed_o_brain
Guest
If this a bike2work scheme bike?
If not, then I would recommend Titanium. You might have to go second hand though, or source a bike from XCAD.
Something like a Van Nicholas Yukon which will take mudguards with 25c tyres and a rack for lightweight luggage is good for commuting - it won't rust due to salt-encrusted roads, it is relatively light and if you want to take it on a club run, it should still hold up pretty well.
For me, this type of thing is the ultimate bike. I have an Airborne Valkyrie frameset in the loft - too much scope for it getting stolen when left locked up anywhere in Manchester or even in the shed - and for all around usability, comfort and pace I would thoroughly recommend it.
I've ridden steel bikes too... they are just a bit less comfy than Titanium and maybe a wee bit heavier unless the tubes are ultra-thin. A good set of tyres can make up the difference between the comfort of Ti and steel.
Carbon bikes are probably ace to ride but I wouldn't trust the material well enough to buy a second-hand one. Unless you are the type of person who can crash or drop a frame and think "oh that's bad luck" before going out and buying another one, I wouldn't bother with it for commuting.
I would think, in the long run, next to running a car or buying season tickets, then it is feasible to run a carbon commuter thinking of the money saved and odds are that over your lifetime you will probably end up buying one, two or maybe three frames having to replace a carbon frame that's been trashed. Unless of course you are racing, clumsy or just very unlucky.
That's my thoughts anyway.
If not, then I would recommend Titanium. You might have to go second hand though, or source a bike from XCAD.
Something like a Van Nicholas Yukon which will take mudguards with 25c tyres and a rack for lightweight luggage is good for commuting - it won't rust due to salt-encrusted roads, it is relatively light and if you want to take it on a club run, it should still hold up pretty well.
For me, this type of thing is the ultimate bike. I have an Airborne Valkyrie frameset in the loft - too much scope for it getting stolen when left locked up anywhere in Manchester or even in the shed - and for all around usability, comfort and pace I would thoroughly recommend it.
I've ridden steel bikes too... they are just a bit less comfy than Titanium and maybe a wee bit heavier unless the tubes are ultra-thin. A good set of tyres can make up the difference between the comfort of Ti and steel.
Carbon bikes are probably ace to ride but I wouldn't trust the material well enough to buy a second-hand one. Unless you are the type of person who can crash or drop a frame and think "oh that's bad luck" before going out and buying another one, I wouldn't bother with it for commuting.
I would think, in the long run, next to running a car or buying season tickets, then it is feasible to run a carbon commuter thinking of the money saved and odds are that over your lifetime you will probably end up buying one, two or maybe three frames having to replace a carbon frame that's been trashed. Unless of course you are racing, clumsy or just very unlucky.
That's my thoughts anyway.
jmaccyd
Well-Known Member
Just to add further to the mix I have an ali race bike with carbon stays and forks and find the ride perfectly fine. If you are buying a commuting bike, the one I used on my commute, was a steel framed machine they have the advantage of generally having wider clearances allowing the fitting of thicker tyres if required, mudguards and of course a rack. It is a more flexible bike for all sorts of riding (towpaths, road etc) ,and steel just provides a more 'planted' and stable feel on the road.
I'd not go for carbon on a commuter, it's just asking for trouble. If you've got somewhere really really secure to lock up it on it's own, then maybe. But probably not worth the trouble.
I'd suggest a nice steel frame, leather saddle and nice comfy bars. Tough touring tyres are probably a good idea too, so you're less likely to get a puncture.
If you can afford a titanium frame go for that if you can find one that suits your needs.
No point having a fancy bike for commuting really, because it's at risk the entire time you're at work, and will be regularly at the same location time and time again. Which is a bad idea for a fancy looking bike.
I'd suggest a nice steel frame, leather saddle and nice comfy bars. Tough touring tyres are probably a good idea too, so you're less likely to get a puncture.
If you can afford a titanium frame go for that if you can find one that suits your needs.
No point having a fancy bike for commuting really, because it's at risk the entire time you're at work, and will be regularly at the same location time and time again. Which is a bad idea for a fancy looking bike.
