Road Cycling - Frame Choices

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Castanza
07-23-03, 11:15 AM
Now that I have done some research, and read a lot of opinions, I am more confused. Okay, we have steel/aluminum/titanium/and carbon. So I think, maybe carbon would be the way to go, it is light, and absorbs shock.

Than someone says, it cracks easily. The fatigue factor is lower than other alloys. I would like a bike that has comfort, doesn't weigh a lot, and will last. My LBS said that carbon is the big demand nowadays, and that it is even lighter than titanium.

I look at good grades of steel, and aluminum frames, and they have carbon forks, and seat posts, and etc. to help absorb the shock. So I think to myself, carbon is the way to go, if I can afford it. My LBS said they have never seen a cracked carbon frame, and they have in business for over 15 years. They carry Cannondale, Specialized, and Giant. They showed me the Giant carbon frame that is all one piece, no lugs. Of course, it doesn' have the lifetime gur like the Treks. They don't knock other bike manufacturers, and I appreciate that.

What say Ye?

pgreene
07-23-03, 11:24 AM
Originally posted by Castanza
I would like a bike that has comfort, doesn't weigh a lot, and will last....What say Ye?

I say that's what we ALL want! ;) i won't weigh in on my material of choice, but i will say to beware of what a store recommends--you'll often notice that a cannondale shop says aluminum's the best (which makes me wonder why simoni's new c'dale is mostly carbon), trek shops say carbon is best (which makes me wonder why every frame in the peloton isn't carbon), litespeed shops say ti is the best (which makes me wonder 'is ANY frame in the peloton ti?'), vintage shops say steel's the best. take it all with a grain of salt. from my p.o.v:

carbon: best balance of weight/comfort, but expensive and if it fails, it fails catastrophically

steel: very comfortable and cheap, but heavy

ti: basically lighter steel, but MUCH more expensive

alum: light and incredibly stiff (too stiff for comfort, some may say). also might not last too long if too light. prices are all over the place.