Originally Posted by
ciocc_cat
I've yet to ride a carbon fiber bike - and God knows I've tried a few - that offered the superior ride quality of my early 1980s Columbus SL frame Ciocc San Cristobal. The carbon fiber bikes I've tried were certainly very light (thanks mostly to all the carbon fiber goodies hung on them) but felt like dead plastic and were downright harsh on our washboard south Louisiana roads. The lightest carbon fiber frames reportedly offer an eye-popping two-pound weight savings over my Columbus SL frame. Not being an elite pro cyclist riding in Le Tour de France, I think I'll gladly take the extra two pounds - and the durability and comfort - of a quality lightweight steel frame over carbon fiber.
You want to experience a lively riding carbon bike, try a Calfee, Parlee or Crumpton. These are hand-made custom carbon frames. My Calfee is as lively as any bike I have ever ridden. It doesn't feel dead at all and rides as smooth as glass on nasty roads. These bikes are also much more crash tollerant than other carbon frames.
I have a steel frame hanging up my garage that has been crashed. I use it now for a clothing rack. It is not worth repairing. Carbon frames can be repaired easier than steel frames.