Does weight make that much difference . . .

[400bhp]

I have a headache.

 

[Rob3rt]

@400bhp Better than leg ache

 

[400bhp]

 

[BRounsley]

Carbon can also be a lot more comfortable than aluminum. Aluminum really does transfer road buzz and that’s why a lot of aluminum frames come with a carbon fork.

I recently moved from an aluminum bike to a full carbon bike (frame, fork, stem, seat post etc) and I do realty notice the difference in comfit.

Is the carbon bike worth twice the aluminum bike, depends on your point of view. I’m in a position I can afford the carbon bike and if I snapped it tomorrow I’d buy another carbon one. If I was on a tighter budget I’d not feel hard done by on an aluminum framed bike. But I would stick a carbon seat post on it for comfit.

 

[BSRU]

Thanks for the helpful reply, and thinking about this i have little problem
when im riding one of my vintage bikes especialy the Raleigh Router
it rides lovely it just has the ten gears but dont seem to make that much
difference at all to my multi geared Trek, hills can be a bit of a problem
for me but then i think thats more age related than the actual bike im
riding.

My BSA is all metal wheels handlebars etc but i do enjoy riding it dispite
only haveine 5 gears and it is quite heavy too.

Cannondale is a good bike then pleased to hear this as always thought they
maybe good bikes . . . . .

My road bike has an aluminium frame and I considered buying a full carbon bike to replace it but decided for the kind of riding I do weight saving was not a criteria. I could shave 0.5kg by changing the saddle from a B17 flyer special to something more modern.

 

[Rob3rt]

Carbon can also be a lot more comfortable than aluminum. Aluminum really does transfer road buzz and that’s why a lot of aluminum frames come with a carbon fork.

I recently moved from an aluminum bike to a full carbon bike (frame, fork, stem, seat post etc) and I do realty notice the difference in comfit.

Is the carbon bike worth twice the aluminum bike, depends on your point of view. I’m in a position I can afford the carbon bike and if I snapped it tomorrow I’d buy another carbon one. If I was on a tighter budget I’d not feel hard done by on an aluminum framed bike. But I would stick a carbon seat post on it for comfit.

Any you would be sorely disappointed, lol!

 

[Profpointy]

i don't agree with the "makes little difference unless racing" view. I am a "serious" cyclist in that 99% of my riding is transport to and from work - none of this play-cycling / racing stuff for me ! I can assure the OP that having a couple of kg of PC or books in my panniers makes it noticeably harder work - especially up hill, but off the line acceleration too. Whilst I'd not worry over a few grammes, I'd certainly spend a few hundred quid to knock a kg or two off - though I am prepared to "pay" for the weight of mudguards, luggage rack, Brooks saddle - though the latter 2 are Ti

 

[rebelpeter]

Good God man, you can't ride a bike without getting aching legs - it goes with the territory.

Ah well thats ok i thought it was just me who had legs aching thanks . . . .

 

[rebelpeter]

I have a headache.

hope it stops soon . . . .

 

[rebelpeter]

Carbon can also be a lot more comfortable than aluminum. Aluminum really does transfer road buzz and that’s why a lot of aluminum frames come with a carbon fork.

I recently moved from an aluminum bike to a full carbon bike (frame, fork, stem, seat post etc) and I do realty notice the difference in comfit.

Is the carbon bike worth twice the aluminum bike, depends on your point of view. I’m in a position I can afford the carbon bike and if I snapped it tomorrow I’d buy another carbon one. If I was on a tighter budget I’d not feel hard done by on an aluminum framed bike. But I would stick a carbon seat post on it for comfit.

 

[400bhp]

i don't agree with the "makes little difference unless racing" view. I am a "serious" cyclist in that 99% of my riding is transport to and from work - none of this play-cycling / racing stuff for me ! I can assure the OP that having a couple of kg of PC or books in my panniers makes it noticeably harder work - especially up hill, but off the line acceleration too. Whilst I'd not worry over a few grammes, I'd certainly spend a few hundred quid to knock a kg or two off - though I am prepared to "pay" for the weight of mudguards, luggage rack, Brooks saddle - though the latter 2 are Ti

A carbon frame will not knock a kg off or two.

 

[rebelpeter]

i did wonder why they put carbon forks on the Trek 1.2 and never realised carbon
was so much kinder and comfortabler, im surprised to hear that a carbon seat
post is more comfortable, i am learning a lot on this helpfull site so a big thank you
to those who have replied to my inexperienced questions.

 

[4F]

Carbon melts in the rain, steel is the future