Originally Posted by Seagull84

This one's for you experienced riders with multiple bikes that have different materials.

I'm going to be at Helen's big ID4 sale, and I'm definitely getting a mid-level CF road bike (Roubaix Elite w/ Shimano 105, methinks), so consider this more a means to satiate my curiosity. First, how easily does aluminum dent in comparison to carbon fiber breaking? I'll be riding up Malibu Canyon and back down to Santa Monica every weekend, and I want to make sure I have a bike that lasts a few years.

Second, how do I tell the strength of the Carbon Fiber? I've seen people talk about 8r to 11r. How do I know what models/brands of CF bikes have which strength?

All my fellow Helen's-goer dee bags suggest CF, and if I want to fit in with the dee bags, I have to ride like the dee bags (just kidding dee bags, you're not ALL dee bags... and I don't care about fitting in). I'll actually be getting CF because I've tested both Alum and CF; I just like the way the CF bikes feel better.