NyoGoat

I work in the carbon fiber industry, but i'm in the front end (manufacturing). I understand all the details of the different properties of carbon fiber. I don't make parts out it, i'm before that.

Is there a way compare carbon bike frames outside of individual test rides? I don't really see a great way. The manufacturer isn't going to give all the details of what carbon fiber type they use where. Any guidance for studies here?

GlennR

Trek has different level of carbon, such as 400 level, 500, 600 and 700. The higher the level the higher the quality and the lighter the frame.

Other than that you have to ride because geometry is just as important, if not more, than the type of carbon.

Dan333SP

You probably know more about it than most of us here. The manufacturers will throw around labels for their "proprietary" carbon layup process or "level" of carbon fiber composite being used, but there is no industry regulatory body that forces them to disclose exactly what they're using and how the frames are built, so you'll really just have to relay on the marketing gunk they spew along with test rides. It's in their best interest to keep specifics of their process confidential for competitive reasons.

vinuneuro

Carbon fiber is just a material and on their own even the best materials don't mean anything. What stiffness is specified where, the cockpit geometries, steering, rear-triangle geometries, etc and how the engineers exploit the potential of the materials all matter. Ultimately it's the sum that makes the bike like every other engineered product.

CF is much more complex than aluminum in terms of engineering, both development and manufacturing and I strongly believe the big names in the industry have a serious edge because of their resources.

Seattle Forrest

The Myth of Modulus

StanSeven

It's also interesting the way manufacturers make changes with experience. Many frames get lighter but improved ride characteristics per the manufacturer because their eniginerrs learned where they can take off material to reduce weight and add/subtract to affect ride

Doge

I agree with you.
There is more to ride than material. And even a good ride won't tell you about workmanship. And even good workmanship and ride won't tell you about support and common sizes and how well it was engineered (some BBs and headsets are weird)

The best way other than ride is the reputation of a mfg and reviews and talking to someone that has one.

Sy Reene

Create an excel document, and rank by price. This will tell you on a relative basis how much lighter your wallet will be by brand and model.