Carbon vs Alu - Why can't picking new bike be easy

pab01

Ok, I'm in the market for a new bike, and have seen lots of nice shiny bikes screaming to me to buy them. Was going to go for carbon frame but now torn and wondering if alu would make more sense. I'm not a racer just enjoy cycling but want to treat myself. As I can get both within my budget ( up to £1200 but preferably less) I'm wondering if carbon is way to go. I've never ridden carbon so don't have any first hand experience of difference between two but would appreciate it if anyone can tells me what they consider pros and cons of carbon vs alu.


Thanks

ps I really want a carbon!!

godtabh

I was considering this as well. You can get aluminium as light as carbon. Stiffness maybe an issue but if you are not racing maybe not

rollingscone

Carbon can go either way, some frames are super light and efficient whereas some are heavier than some Alu frames but offer comfort rather than efficiency as their major play.

My brother in law has a Stevens CF frame that weighs nearly as much as my Alu bike but is apparently like riding on a cloud.

No Pants

I don't know what the problem is OP. You pick whichever bike that you can't quite afford, hide the receipt from your other half and off you go.

Carbon is supposed to be lighter, stiffer and more comfortable (sometimes), but the frame warranties vary. Some alu frames have fifteen year or lifetime warranties, some carbon may only have five years. That would be what I'd look at after the fit.

Seweryn

pab01 wrote: »

I'm wondering if carbon is way to go. I've never ridden carbon so don't have any first hand experience of difference between two but would appreciate it if anyone can tells me what they consider pros and cons of carbon vs alu.

Getting the right bike for your needs is the main thing, regardless of the material the frame is made of.
The frame design, engineering, and of course the size, are the top factors here, not the materials. You can make a very good bike from any metal, wood or carbon fibre.

Lemag

Carbon with all other things considerations being equal. If it's this ribble bike which you are considering you probably won't be able to do better elsewhere for similar money.

godtabh

Lemag wrote: »

Carbon with all other things considerations being equal. If it's this ribble bike which you are considering you probably won't be able to do better elsewhere for similar money.

any idea of the weight?

No Pants

godtabh wrote: »

any idea of the weight?

Depends on the components you select.

godtabh

For the ribble deal its Shimano Tiagra and Fulcrum Sport

Ryath

godtabh wrote: »

any idea of the weight?

With tiagra and those wheels about 8.5 I'd say. It's the same frame as the planet x sl pro. My sl pro weighs 7.4kg with sram rival and px wheels which weigh about 1.6kg

Lumen

godtabh wrote: »

You can get aluminium as light as carbon

At which price points?

At the high end there's no contest. Carbon frames are at <800g now and there's no way alu frames can get near that. e.g. BMC Grandfondo 54cm is claimed 1120g, Cannondale CAAD 10 is about 1150g.

At the lower end the Planet X RT57 (@£;499) is 999g. That's £300 cheaper and >100g lighter than a CAAD10 frameset from Westbrook.

pab01

Ribble is one of the options. Seems to be the best deal about for carbon and with tiagra. Nearest to that costs a good bit more. Just wondering if frame is ok. Weight doesn't worry me too much, lost a couple of stone myself and still a bit to go so a kg or two more on bike isn't too much of a concern.

godtabh

Lumen wrote: »

At which price points?

At the high end there's no contest. Carbon frames are at <800g now and there's no way alu frames can get near that. e.g. BMC Grandfondo 54cm is claimed 1120g, Cannondale CAAD 10 is about 1150g.

At the lower end the Planet X RT57 (@£;499) is 999g. That's £300 cheaper and >100g lighter than a CAAD10 frameset from Westbrook.

These are the ones I have been looking at recently

• Canyon Ultimate AL 8.0 Weight 7,45 kg @€;1600
• Canyon Endurance CF Weight 7,30 kg @€;1900
• Canyon Ultimate CF Weight 7,65 kg @€;1600

zindicato

i love my carbon cube very good for longer distance sportives( very comfy) but for commuting and just downright fun my 2012 aluminum focus culebro sl1.0 sure the ride is jarring when the roads get rough, high speed wobbles from time to time yup but its just keeps you on your toes , you dont have to worry if the wind blows it over when your parking, dont really have to worry when your at work that its gonna be nicked parked outside your work ,......tis a bit heavier alright than the cube but its my first choice to take when my mates call for a short notice spin. http://www.carbonconnection.com/focus-culebro-1-0-2012-1/

krissovo

You missed steel from your list

Pinch Flat

Just buy one of each. problem solved.:pac:

Lemag

godtabh wrote: »

any idea of the weight?

Nope. The stated weight of the frame is 950g for a 45cm frame. If true (which is a pretty big 'if') it is a very light frame for the money.

paulgs

Have a look at the Rose bikes pro sl 2000 comes in at 1050 delivered and fully customisable. From from my readings if you go for a carbon fibre frame you are going to get lower quality components and wheels. I have it in my mind for a training bike that an alloy frame with better components and wheels would be my choice you can always fit a carbon seat post to alleviate Road vibration. The metal frame is also going to be more durable if you intend keeping the bike for a few years, but tweaking and upgrading can become an addiction.