Bike Forums - View Single Post - Why Plastic?? What am I missing??

01-25-12 | 11:33 AM

#28

WC89

Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 494

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From: Owings Mills, Maryland

Bikes: 2011 Trek 8.4 DS hybrid; 2012 Felt F-75 road bike; 1990 Specialized Stumpjumper MTB; 1992 Guerciotti road bike (inactive)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GFish

Please help me understand, why buy a plastic bike?

Sure, the Pro's ride them, but if your a recreational rider, even a serious one, I still don't understand the rational for buying a plastic bike.

I've read comments and threads on plastic bikes, seen the pictures of cracked frames, and understand the idea of lighter, faster and ride comfort, except steel and Ti can achieve similar performance, plastic bikes just don't add up.

I could go on, but I'll wait to read what others think.........

I've asked the same thing. I don't get it! I can actually see a recreational rider having a CF frame (much less hard on a frame than road racing is) w/o problems. However, it's very hard to justify to me racing on one if you are just the average "Joe" racer (road bikes) w/o sponsorship to replace your bike whenever you break one in a crash (and if you race, YOU WILL CRASH!). $8,000 for a bike that cannot even be welded if the chaninstay snaps, after only 5 yrs of riding it!!!??? Are you kidding me!!!??? Maybe CF bikes are now comparable to steel/aluminum bikes? If so, and they'll last many years, even after going down hard in a few crashes, then great! I'm glad that they have improved them.
Also, do they come w/ lifetime warranties on the frames? If so, great! They should!
Weight: I agree. Being as efficient as possible is desired with your machine; however, there are just too many people that waste too much time shaving and ounce here , a thenth of an ounce there, a 3rd of an ounce there, but they can't ride a short steep hill w/o coming apart halfway up the hill! But they are mounted on that spiffy $8,000 CF bike. Guess that's all that matters.
So, I take it most people on the hybrid site don't race and don't care to. I understand that. You should be well ok w/ a CF bike then. I just see it as a bad investment if you buy one to race on (road or MTB)!

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