Shuagster

Hello, I've already made a thread about my current dilemma but it died already and this is about a whole new dilemma... I was considering getting an entry level carbon frame for my first road bike, but a reply someone made to one of my posts got me thinking. Maybe it would be better to Get a good aluminum frame now, ride the hell out of it, and then later on get a good CF frame. So, so you think it would be a good idea to get alu or go one-up and get CF?

fishymamba

First bike aluminum. Then see if cycling is the sport for you. Then drop the big $$$ on a carbon.
If you already know that you like cycling and want to get an aluminum bike check out the CAAD9.
CAAD10 is newer, but more expensive.

I got a CAAD9 as my first bike and I am loving it so far. I am already collecting money to get a carbon frame by next year or maybe a little earlier.

mpath

+1. Don't get into a carbon frame just for the sake of it.

In my case, when I decided to get back into the sport, I went with the Specialized Allez to make sure I'd like what I was getting back into, but didn't want to spend a whole wad of $$. I've since gotten a good carbon bike, and use the Allez as my winter / trainer bike.

peazweag

just get an aluminum frame,unless your going to race,don't really need a carbon bike.even a good reynolds steel frame is good .I would get a decent aluminum frame and upgrade components as you go

jezmellors

+1 for a steel frame. IMHO steel is more user friendly & will have done it's depreciating if you decide the sport is not for you.

dspaff088

Get an aluminum and a nice carbon form, will dampen alot of road vibration and yield a better ride

WhyFi

Do you have any hobbies? Seriously - if you have experienced upgrade-itis in other areas, you'll likely end up spending more money in the long run if you get an aluminum bike now and want to move to a carbon frame within the year.

z90

Unless you've got lots of money, get an aluminum bike. Don't over-inflate your tires. They do a much more effective job of absorbing shock than any frame will, if you let them.
See this article
https://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

jbholcom

I had the same dilemma with my first road bike (as an adult). I went with aluminum and I feel I made the right choice at the time.

Go with aluminum. First, there is not a big weight difference between carbon and aluminum frames. Weight weenies will argue this point, but you won't be able to tell the difference on the road. Second, carbon frames have the advantage of being stiffer. Again you probably won't be able to tell the difference between the two frame types as a novice rider anyway. Finally, carbon frames require a little more care. A crack in the frame and you are probably SOL. With aluminum, probably not.

All that said, save a little money and get an aluminum frame with decent components. As far as brands go, don't listen to the hype. Most brands are very similar. Go find a good LBS and ride several of their bikes until you find the one you want for the money you are willing to pay. It's as simple as that.

Have fun!

mihlbach

A lot of opinions being expressed here with a lot of nonsense thrown in here and there.

There really isn't really much of a price gap between carbon and aluminum these days. I'm not sure what you mean by "entry level", but you can get great frames made of either material that are affordable. A $500 aluminum frame isn't necessarily a better frame than a $500 carbon frame. Nor does the material completely determine how the frame rides. I would focus more on how the frame fits and rides and less on construction materials.

dspaff088

Also saving a couple hundred bucks now will be good. If you are new to cycling there is alot of gear you will need to buy and it can get pretty expensive

WhyFi

Oh my. The wrongness - it is staggering.

ScoJo

If you get carbon, make sure you add a fire extinguisher to your budget to keep in your garage in case it spontaneously asplodes.

cardoodle

I'll echo what has already been said. I went with a specialized allez (aluminum) to see if the sport would be for me. So far, I'm content with the allez. I honestly wouldn't go carbon for another 2-3 years , if at all. The thing with cycling is the bike is just the beginning: pedals, shoes, computer, cages, bottles, jerseys, shorts, helmet, car rack etc...

M_Wales

I was going through the same thing a little over a month ago after being off a bike for more than 20 years. I test rode a lot of aluminum and carbon bikes and I liked the feel and ride of the carbons a lot more, so I ended buying a sweet Team Raleigh bike and couldn't be happier.

Maybe more than I need, but I wont be upgrading anytime soon.

topflightpro

Things to consider:

1. Carbon will have a better resale value should you decide you don't like cycling.
2. Entry level carbon is more durable than many modern aluminum frames - Carbon doesn't crack that easily, but thin walled aluminum frames dent, and those dents lead to cracks, which makes your aluminum frame worthless.
3. Yes, Carbon is more comfortable over long rides
4. Buy the one you enjoy riding more.
5. If you still can't decide, go with whichever comes in the color you like better.

mihlbach

Really? I would have thought the opposite, but I don't spend a lot of time trolling ebay so I wouldn't really know.

However, I would guess that steel frames (and possibly ti) would have better resale value than either carbon or aluminum.

z90

This thread makes me wonder... whats the cheapest carbon bike out there that comes from a major manufacturer? When I went looking two years ago, there was nothing near the price point of my aluminum felt ($780). I'm not talking about super deals, just relative place in the lines of major manufacturers.

dspaff088

Well I think he's trying to say that carbon is more valuable because alot of people want to ride carbon just to ride carbon. I have a carbon tail and fork, saved some money and Ian little step up from your basic alum intro level bike. Put some extra cash in the groupo

kutipper

For your first road bike I would go with an aluminum frame, 105 or rival components, and then spend a little bit on the wheels and get the Mavic kysrium elite or the reynolds solitudes.

beerob81

I myself just went through the same thing. I set a budget for starters...STICK TO THAT BUDGET!

I know myself as a hobbiest I tend to upgrade quickly and know that I will keep spending money to compete with others to get better, so i set my budget higher with components in mind.

Do your research, shop with friends. talk to your LBS, see what fits you and test ride some aluminum, carbon, and aluminum carbon bikes...see what you like.

If you want a good bike with good components for less then buy used.

If you want a new bike and are ok with spending more on upgrading later, buy new. Your LBS will appreciate that as well and help you along the way as you upgrade.

If you buy used and decide to go with carbon make sure you know what to ask and look for. I'd rather have am aluminum bike with high mileage than a carbon bike with high mileage IMO.

I got a steal on my bike off craigslist...beware..because there are tons of scams on there. Im happy with my choice and I know I wont be spending tons of money on my bike in the next year and if the bike is too much for me I still got a steal and can sell it for at least what I paid if not more.

ghughes20

This is almost exactly the set up I'm going with. I'm being measured for a Giant Defy 1 tonight. If all goes well, I'll take it home. It's got a aluminum frame with a carbon fork & seat post and has 105 components.

I would have a hard time justifying a carbon bike at this point as I don't know how much biking I'll do over the next 12 months. I have goals to do a 1/2 century next fall and a full century next spring. (I've been riding most every day on my 25 year old steel bike and building up stamina, etc.) But with 3 young kids at home, my free time is scarce.

The aluminum bike will hold me over until I get a better sense to how committed I'll be to this sport. If I upgrade to carbon some day, I doubt I'll think purchasing a aluminum will be a mistake. But that's just me.

Seattle Forrest

How would you put together a $700 carbon bike, and what will it be like? I'm not trying to be argumentative here ... actually I wouldn't mind replacing my commuter.

A crack showed up in my carbon frame. All it meant is that I got a new carbon frame (for free).

Fox Farm

Test ride!

mihlbach

I wouldn't put together a $700 carbon bike. I'd buy a complete bike if that were my budget.