Carbon vs. Steel?
 

I am wondering about getting a new road bike and would like to know if I should stick to Steel or make the switch to Carbon. Money is not an object because I already have a steel and a carbon bike that cost about the same (the carbon bike is a touch more expensive but not bad). One of the bikes is a 90's Colnogo Dream with full Dura ace, and the other is a 2014 Fuji SST 2.1.

If you have a carbon bike already, why are you asking whether you should "stick to steel or make the switch to carbon?" Clearly, you already have all the information and experience you need.

N+1 is always recommended, Here, as I have seen.

I do not have a carbon bike, but I have a steel bike and wanted to know which one would be a better bike.

What kind of riding do you want to do with it? If you're regularly doing categoried races then carbon will be lighter and stiffer. For everything else steel is better IMO. More comfortable, long term durability, less likely to break catastrophically, generally less $, and sexier to boot :) Plus a bike made of very high quality steel will be close to the weight and performance capabilities of a good carbon bike, unless you're in the pros.

That's kinda what I was thinking, I am a steel guy, and I don't do many races. I do a lot of group rides and daily rides by myself, but that's about what I do.

You've already said money is no object, I suggest you buy both and report back with your findings.

I'm not made of money, I'm only 15 XD! I meant I found twobikes that I'm interested in and they are roughly the same price (between $950-1250).

Isn't the 2014 CANNONDALE Synapse listed in your "my bikes" not a CF frame?

No, it's aluminum with a carbon fork.

I didn't realize that, those are nice looking bikes.

Get the CF bike since you already have a steel and an aluminum bike.

Are these the two you are deciding between?

Colnago for your jra style. Dura ace is solid, Colnago has classic geometry.
90's is pretty old though. Make sure the frame and group are not worn out.

SST is a rocket, designed for racing. Great bike but really short head tube and tight, fast geo.
Short headtube is great to get a race position, but if you're into casual riding it's probably not the best choice.

Those were the bikes I was deciding between, the SST might be a little bit too raceready for me. The Colnogo has been barely ridden and looks absolutely stunning with it's hand airbrushed graphics. When I started this thread I wanted the steel in my garage, and was looking to see if there would be a big argument as to CF bikes being far superior to steel. Besides the steel bike doesn't weigh that much. I will post weight soon.

The Colnago weighs 16.1 pounds.

Depends on your interests, your riding focus and what you're using it for.

Isn't the Colnago Dream aluminum?

Explain to me how thse statements are consistent. "i do not have a carbon bike..." and "I already have a steel and a carbon bike...".

If you want argument, the road forum should suffice! http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/1032073-carbon-fiber-fail-3.html

I meant to say I have a carbon and a steel bike picked out and am ready to pull the trigger on either one, sorry for the confusion.

pretty sure that's an aluminum frame.
check it out for cracks around the joints, cracks in the paint. Just make sure it's solid. 90s is a long time.

If it's "perfect", would be really cool though. I like those paintjobs, and you can get props from the geritol, cafe run, beer belly, ***** tit crowd 'cause you run a Colnago.

Real Colnagos all have a rider painted on the top tube and has Ernesto's signature. There are a lot of knockoffs. Bike sponsor told me that once, always remembered it.

SST is a great bike but definitely more race/competitive riding focused.

Get the carbon since it's what you don't have. Which one would depend on what your goals are for cycling. I ride a Specialized Roubaix, but my goals are recreational riding and being as comfortable as possible. Something a race bike wouldn't afford me. Be honest with yourself and what you're wanting from riding.