Dylan Roberts

Hey everyone, today I just got to thinking about later on at a time when I'd be able to purchase a more expensive/better bike than I have now. I was wondering, would carbon be a better option, or aluminum? What are the lowest weights an aluminum bike can achieve compared to a carbon bike? Also, what are the pros and cons to each material?

Notgrownup

Carbon can crack, Alumium can break but is abit sturdier...Some of the carbon frames are like feathers...I am not sure what i will get next...

cmc0108

...and here we go

Dylan Roberts

Yeah I've heard that a lot, and around here there are a lot of bad roads in the city I live in.

rangerdavid

carbon v. aluminum

=

apples v. oranges

ShoreCyclist

If you have $2k or less to spend, buy a great aluminum bike. If you have more than that, buy carbon. Don't worry about the lowest weights/wall thickness allowable before failure unless you're looking to build your own bike from scratch.

ahsposo 

Who Cares?

STFU and ride.

youngbeginner

oranges!!!!!!!!

abstractform20

carbon breaks really easily. the pros use it because they get new bikes every week. steel or titanium if you value your life.

also, you have to make sure the carbon doesnt have a lot of sunlight, or the uv will damage the frame.

ask BDOP, he knows. he will confirm this.

Dylan Roberts

I already do that. I'm just asking a simple question, if you have no input of value, why waste your time replying?

rangerdavid

This is the 41. That's an expected response.

Dylan Roberts

Eh, I guess you're right.

ShoreCyclist

Carbon doesn't break easily. I've owned a many carbon bikes and never experienced failure...

ShoreCyclist

Then again I've never experienced failure on any bike I've owned... Just buy the best you can afford and have fun with it...

Notgrownup

If you don't rub your carbon with the special oil everynight it will start getting flimsy....Aluminum will stay erect no matter what...

abstractform20

you are very lucky. i hope they dont stay out in the sun for long periods of time

ShoreCyclist

Why would I leave any nice bike outside in the sun for a prolonged period of time?

abstractform20

some people do and then end up with their bikes exploding under load, especially during mup rides/crits

Autopilot

Cannondale CAAD10 is an aluminum frame with a carbon fork. Though I can't confirm, but it could possibly be the lightest alum frame bike in the world at 1150g + 420g fork. This is also lighter than majority of mid priced full carbon frames and competes against carbon bike brands sold in the $1,500-$2,500 range. However there are carbon fiber frames weighing in the sub 700g while cost of these frames can buy a complete CAAD10 with Dura-ace build. There is a huge "cult" following for the CAAD10 amongst this forum. It really depends on your budget and what your riding purpose is and if you are a weight weenie concerned about shaving grams... still there are folks out there who can get a CAAD10 bike down to 15lbs or less which is really, really light, even compared to most carbon fiber bike weight standards. The benefit is you won't have to break the bank on aluminum, which you will with carbon.

ShoreCyclist

haha... I own, love, and enjoy both carbon and aluminum bikes. The OP sounds like he just wants a lightweight bike. There's no right or wrong answer. It all comes down to what he can afford, and what he expects out of ride quality.

My favorite bike is an aluminum Ridley TT bike. Would I use it for a 100+ mile race? nope...

ShoreCyclist

OP - Don't buy a $3k+ carbon bike and let it sit in your back yard all week. Problem solved...

OldTryGuy

Bad Boeing for the 787, bad Boeing.

Got a DA CAAD 8 and Ultegra Propel, the 8 spends more time upside down.

Dang, I live in FL. so I guess I best be riding the Propel only at night.

Dylan Roberts

Oh no, weight isn't that big of a deal for me lol
I was just curious as to how low of a weight each material can go, thats all

ShoreCyclist

Both materials can be used to make a super-light bike. Carbon more so than aluminum. I believe someone above listed some frame weight numbers. And now you know...

Notgrownup

With that said and all the Bull$hit aside....A good quality Carbon frame would last a long time and a lot of MFG's offer good frame warranties also...This is the bike i would like to have next year at the end of the year....
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...mpact-crankset
or

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ne_4_0_compact
or

i will have to get a lot of that special oil....