Southern California - And the SOCal cyclists are riding what material?

Had a lil paceline going on Sunday's ride. There was:

A KESTREL CARBON FIBER:D
A TREK CARBON FIBER:D
A SPECIALIZED CARBON FIBER:D
LITESPEED TITANIUM:D
and my Lemond aluminum.:o

Man I felt like an outkast! Is most of SoCAl on CF now? Whatta you riding?

Fuji Team Pro (carbon fiber)
Specialized Allez Elite (aluminum)

Fuji Team Pro (carbon fiber)
Specialized Allez Elite (aluminum)

Do you feel a noticeable difference in the material and ride?

CAAD 8 - Alum.

I see a lot of carbon too, but they’re usually way in the back. :p

Do you feel a noticeable difference in the material and ride?

It's a little hard to say since my ally bike is a size larger than my cf bike, and I've put in way more miles on the Fuji, and very few on the Specialized. The E5 tubing on the Allez isn't particularly buzzy, so I don't think the contrast is that stark.

Fuji Team Pro (carbon fiber)
Specialized Allez Elite (aluminum)

Same for me, but no Fuji....

Specialized Allez Pro & Cervelo P2 SL (both aluminum w/carbon forks).

The roads around here are so good that I don't find aluminum to be a harsh ride at all.

Aluminum with carbon seat stays.

Surley Long Haul Trucker (Cro-Moly)
SR Semi-Pro Touring (Lugged Cro-Moly)

Everything bike in my garage is steel, except for my wife's mountain bike (it's aluminum). I'm not a "Steel is Real" aficionado, it's just that the bikes at my target price range are steel. And I don't really care about the weight.

Trek 1500 alum.
Trek SL 5.2 Madone cf

To me there is a huge differance, but the roads here in Nor-Cal are not all that great. Lots of cracks and holes from last years monsoons. If its a ride less then 2 hours the alum. is fine. Its also nice that the CF bike is 4 lbs lighter.

Litespeed Teramo - Ti
Specialized S-Works - Alu

In the 818 code I see quite a few bikes mostly Trek carbon, but aluminum is right behind carbon. I think aluminum is a great material for frames - its light, fast etc and lately been riding more then my Litespeed. I am not a big fan of carbon because of the ride quallity.

sshakari.......how've you been? We haven't seen you since that Tour de California ride back in Feb. Try to join us on upcoming rides...:)

Litespeed Teramo - Ti
Specialized S-Works - Alu

In the 818 code I see quite a few bikes mostly Trek carbon, but aluminum is right behind carbon. I think aluminum is a great material for frames - its light, fast etc and lately been riding more then my Litespeed. I am not a big fan of carbon because of the ride quallity.

How do you like the E5 frame overall?

I ride steel and titanium frames.

my bike is carbon... unfortunately, I'm not a good enough rider yet to appreciate it! :p

Trek 1000; aluminum.
Nishiki International (fixie); lugged steel.

I'm a clydesdale. Carbon scares me. Probably irrationally, but it still does.

My next roadie will be either titanium or lugged steel. Unless I drop 100 pounds or so. Heh.

Specialized Roubaix Comp (carbon)
Specialized Allez Sport (aluminum, carbon fork)
Cervelo R3 (carbon)

Keep in mind that the frame is but one determinant of ride characteristics, and frame material is but one determinant of frame characteristics.

Bianchi Steel, baby.

Trek 1000; aluminum.
Nishiki International (fixie); lugged steel.

I'm a clydesdale. Carbon scares me. Probably irrationally, but it still does.

My next roadie will be either titanium or lugged steel. Unless I drop 100 pounds or so. Heh.

Several people tell me to go carbon but like you I'm a bit worried about it. I read mixed reviews when it comes to big guys and carbon frames. Last year, I met up with a big racer (200lbs) while training in hills around Bonelli Park. He loved his Giant CF. Can't remember the model but grey and black about $3,000. I say "met up" cause he kept smokin' me on the climbs.

Well about 6 months later, I ran into him at the shop. He said he was switching back to aluminum cause his CF was flexing too much when he raced.

Several people tell me to go carbon but like you I'm a bit worried about it. I read mixed reviews when it comes to big guys and carbon frames. Last year, I met up with a big racer (200lbs) while training in hills around Bonelli Park. He loved his Giant CF. Can't remember the model but grey and black about $3,000. I say "met up" cause he kept smokin' me on the climbs.

Well about 6 months later, I ran into him at the shop. He said he was switching back to aluminum cause his CF was flexing too much when he raced.

I'm 190 on my 52cm CF bike and flexing isn't something I've noticed or been concerned about.

My last 3 bikes (4 if you incl MTB) have been aluminum. But I am much more open to all materials than that trend would suggest. In fact, if I could add one more road bike, it would be steel.

Trek 1000; aluminum.
Nishiki International (fixie); lugged steel.

I'm a clydesdale. Carbon scares me. Probably irrationally, but it still does.

My next roadie will be either titanium or lugged steel. Unless I drop 100 pounds or so. Heh.

I'm pretty sure that Ti has more flex than CF. I remember being told to stay away from Ti if you're over two bills.

Several people tell me to go carbon but like you I'm a bit worried about it. I read mixed reviews when it comes to big guys and carbon frames. Last year, I met up with a big racer (200lbs) while training in hills around Bonelli Park. He loved his Giant CF. Can't remember the model but grey and black about $3,000. I say "met up" cause he kept smokin' me on the climbs.

Well about 6 months later, I ran into him at the shop. He said he was switching back to aluminum cause his CF was flexing too much when he raced.


Im 195 and I cant say Ive noticed a flex issue at all.

I feel like a relic reading these posts;

Lugged Steel - homemade 531 / Henry James lugs, full Super Record
Lugged Steel - homemade 531 / Henry James lugs, mogrel component mix (commuter)

I'm pretty sure that Ti has more flex than CF. I remember being told to stay away from Ti if you're over two bills.

Every shop I went to said stay away man, from the ti! I know it depends on design and all but Rick the Rebel rider has broken his ti bike at 155 lbs (?). TWICE!:eek:

A bike can be overbuilt or underbuilt made from most any material. It's not just about the material choice.

I'm 190 on my 52cm CF bike and flexing isn't something I've noticed or been concerned about.


190? I could swear that I'm twice your weight! You looked much lighter when I met you on GMR. Hard to think I'm only 30-40 lbs heavier than you.

Also my bike is a 58. Seems like a 58 would be more flexy than a 52 because of the longer tubes. You know us tll guys have longer tubes!:D

Aluminum for me (w/carbon fiber seatpost and fork). 2005 Giant TCR 2. My first "real" bike so i can't compare it to anything really. :lol:

I feel like a relic reading these posts;

Lugged Steel - homemade 531 / Henry James lugs, full Super Record
Lugged Steel - homemade 531 / Henry James lugs, mogrel component mix (commuter)

Did we meet at the first rest stop during the Grand Tour yesterday? If so, I was the guy admiring your custom build bike and your custom rack....:D

SLX Alu (Allez Pro), Airplane Alu/Carbon Seat Stays (Colnago Mix), OCLV 110 Carbon (Madone 5.9SL), Scandium Alu (Tsunami).

My favorite ride is Scandium (light, stiff, fast). Maybe a bit too fast since I destroyed it last year at a practice crit :(

I'm not too crazy about carbon. I'm trying to like my Madone, but not loving it.

SLX Alu (Allez Pro), Airplane Alu/Carbon Seat Stays (Colnago Mix), OCLV 110 Carbon (Madone 5.9SL), Scandium Alu (Tsunami).

My favorite ride is Scandium (light, stiff, fast). Maybe a bit too fast since I destroyed it last year at a practice crit :(

I'm not too crazy about carbon. I'm trying to like my Madone, but not loving it.

What are you not liking about it?

Did we meet at the first rest stop during the Grand Tour yesterday? If so, I was the guy admiring your custom build bike and your custom rack....:D

Fixer - Yeah, that was me! Ah, so I did actually meet another BF rider after all. Was nice talking to you.

Over 2 bills and have 2 Ti bikes.. No flex issues at all..

Fixer - Yeah, that was me! Ah, so I did actually meet another BF rider after all. Was nice talking to you.

It was nice to meet and chat with you. That is some wonderful frame building you did.....and that rack. Great work!

I ride a custom Arnold, built with oversize mtn. bike Easton Scandium tubing with Easton CF seatstays and a sweet Integrated Reynolds Ozo Pro Fork.

Full alu C'dale caad8 for me.

Got alu because I thought it's more durable than CF; but then I got a pop-can thin alu (found out 2 months after I got it). Hahaha. Oh well.

Aluminum (but primo Al) - Cervelo Soloist Team

Merlin Cyrene, (titanium)... however the seatpost, forks, and handlebars are carbon! If I find a good deal on a carbon stem I will replace that too, (that's the only thing left that is aluminum) :eek:

.......__o
.......\<,
....( )/ ( )...

I ride a custom Arnold, built with oversize mtn. bike Easton Scandium tubing with Easton CF seatstays and a sweet Integrated Reynolds Ozo Pro Fork.

I've seen your bike at the end of the Montrose rides. Nice ride...:)

I ride a Kestrel Talon (carbon fiber Monocoque frame), my first bike was steel Centurion Iron Man, bought that bike in the mid-80s. Then 3 yrs ago startyed riding seriously and decided I needed a new bike, that's when I bought the Kestrel.

Since then I riden the Centurion a few times. I'll take carbon any day, it really smooths out the ride, on the rough pavement the Centurion will punish you.

It was nice to meet and chat with you. That is some wonderful frame building you did.....and that rack. Great work!

Thanks, you're too kind. Everybody's gotta have a hobby I guess.

I remember being told to stay away from Ti if you're over two bills.

Really? Huh.

Well, that does it. Lugged steel, here I come. :)

What are you not liking about it?

It feels a bit dead. Plenty stiff though.

It feels a bit dead. Plenty stiff though.

Did you try any other carbon frames? Or other non-carbon Treks?

Every shop I went to said stay away man, from the ti! I know it depends on design and all but Rick the Rebel rider has broken his ti bike at 155 lbs (?). TWICE!:eek:

I've broken a couple steel bikes, and seen a third one broken. The nice thing is that they can be cheap to fix.

And what I ride:
Road: Carbon Fiber (also have a steel beater)
Track: Steel
Mountain: Aluminum

All selected for fit and not material.

Did you try any other carbon frames? Or other non-carbon Treks?

Nope, never ridden any other carbon bikes. Actually, I didn't even test ride the Madone before buying it.

Never ridden any other Treks except my early 90s mountain bike.

Nope, never ridden any other carbon bikes. Actually, I didn't even test ride the Madone before buying it.

Never ridden any other Treks except my early 90s mountain bike.

Was it like a team deal? There's a guy in my spin class that bought a fully loaded Madone through his team sponsorship.

Was it like a team deal? There's a guy in my spin class that bought a fully loaded Madone through his team sponsorship.

Yep.

IF Club Racer - Steel
Bike Friday Pocket Rocket - Steel

I'm a Clyde and a half, so I don't ever see a time when I won't have a steel bike. If I ever want to shave 6 pounds off the ride, I'll go on a diet.

All carbon Specialized Roubaix Pro.