Originally Posted by
ScottCommutes
Put another way, beginners break wheels. Experts crack their frames. Interesting stuff.
To put it this way; a super light carbon racing frame is still plenty strong, but it doesn’t have the “reserve capacity” of a less expensive alloy “sport” bike. You’re also more likely to be subjecting a race bike to more high performance, high stress use; you would be
more likely to do something that would damage the frame, not that it actually happens more often
In practice though, with regards to the OP, it’s usually the wheels that are the weakest link; especially for less expensive bikes and heavier or less mechanically sympathetic riders.