Bike Forums - View Single Post - Carbon Fiber or Steel

03-07-11 | 03:48 PM

#27

Homeyba

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 3,370

Likes: 2

From: Central Coast, California

Bikes: Colnago C-50, Calfee Dragonfly Tandem, Specialized Allez Pro, Peugeot Competition Light

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bacciagalupe

...More to the point, though, the advantages of carbon can be real -- they're just not necessarily relevant to ultra-distance rides, IMO.

I would disagree with that. There is a reason that the vast majority of ultra-distance racers are on CF bikes and it's not that they are necessarily "faster" than other frame materials. CF does dampen road vibrations better than other materials. Throw on bigger tires and it smoothes the ride out even more. The difference is not a lot but it is cumulative over longer distances. Like I said above, rides under 200-300 miles (non-stop) are probably not long enough to make it a big issue but as the miles pile up it bacomes more and more of an issue.