Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Carbon Fiber

Old 04-03-16, 09:53 AM
  #1  
one4smoke
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Nashville, TN.
Posts: 2,174

Bikes: 2020 Specialized Roubaix Comp SC - 2016 Specialized Roubaix SL4 - 2015 Giant Roam 2 Disc

Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 639 Post(s)
Liked 337 Times in 223 Posts
Carbon Fiber

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a all carbon fiber bike? What is the preferred frame material for most cyclists? Steel, aluminum, titanium or carbon?
one4smoke is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 09:56 AM
  #2  
rydabent
Senior Member
 
rydabent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,809

Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II

Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3235 Post(s)
Liked 1,001 Times in 599 Posts
If I could afford a bike made of any material I wanted, I would chose titanium.
rydabent is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 10:11 AM
  #3  
Homebrew01
Super Moderator
 
Homebrew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,780

Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1145 Post(s)
Liked 775 Times in 513 Posts
:

1 will not be enough.

:
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.

FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Homebrew01 is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 10:39 AM
  #4  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,599

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,346 Times in 853 Posts
For What purpose do you plan to need your Bike to serve?






I like Nice hand made steel frames . myself , I have 2 that are one of a Kind. I had a hand in making..

but I get production ones as they are more affordable .

Last edited by fietsbob; 04-03-16 at 02:45 PM.
fietsbob is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 11:15 AM
  #5  
rebel1916
Senior Member
 
rebel1916's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,134
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Liked 82 Times in 43 Posts
Assuming US market, most bikes sold are low end dept store bikes. So the majority of bikes out there are aluminum or "gaspipe" steel. Most nice road bikes sold these days are carbon fiber. Mountain bikes are probably still more aluminum than cf, although cf is catching up. Carbon is lighter smooths out the ride. It is stronger than metal for similar weights, but is vulnerable to damage from overtightening. Steeel smooths out the ride but is heavier. Some feel it is stronger than other materials, but really light steel is very thin walled. Aluminum is relatively cheap, can be formed into virtually any shape and is fairly strong, but many feel the ride quality leaves something to be desired. Great frames can be made out of any of the above materials.
rebel1916 is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 11:17 AM
  #6  
Marcus_Ti
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
 
Marcus_Ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331

Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times in 254 Posts
Titanium is the fastest material.

CF asplodes in direct sunlight.
Marcus_Ti is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 11:19 AM
  #7  
FeltF2Tarmac
Woman make me faster
 
FeltF2Tarmac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 676

Bikes: 2014 Felt F2 Di2 2018 Tarmac Comp Disc

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 91 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
I have two carbon bikes so that is my material of choice.
FeltF2Tarmac is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 11:28 AM
  #8  
one4smoke
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Nashville, TN.
Posts: 2,174

Bikes: 2020 Specialized Roubaix Comp SC - 2016 Specialized Roubaix SL4 - 2015 Giant Roam 2 Disc

Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 639 Post(s)
Liked 337 Times in 223 Posts
Originally Posted by Marcus_Ti
Titanium is the fastest material.

CF asplodes in direct sunlight.
What is "asplodes?"
one4smoke is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 11:46 AM
  #9  
jamesdak 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,268

Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super(2)Lemond Maillot Juane (2) & custom,PDG Paramount,Serotta CSI,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Prologue TT,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,Klein Quantum II

Mentioned: 145 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2148 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times in 1,383 Posts
My preferred material is whatever makes the bike most comfortable for me on my long rides while giving me the biggest "grin factor" for enjoyment. So after many years I have come to realize that the best material for a bike frame is ... shoot, I don't know.

Most of my bikes are steel but I have a Ti one, a Cf one, and a couple of aluminum ones. All different but not a dog in the lot.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
jamesdak is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 12:31 PM
  #10  
BillyD
Administrator
 
BillyD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 31,642

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92

Mentioned: 318 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10850 Post(s)
Liked 5,109 Times in 2,757 Posts
Originally Posted by one4smoke
What is "asplodes?"
That's just a common expression many regulars around here use to indicate carbon shatters when it fails.

Many folks are leery of carbon's durability record, while it's zealous advocates deny that and prefer to laud it's advantages. You may experience this conflict directly in this thread soon. Is your chin strap fastened?
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon

Last edited by BillyD; 04-03-16 at 12:34 PM.
BillyD is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 12:40 PM
  #11  
ironwood
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Boston area
Posts: 2,028

Bikes: 1984 Bridgestone 400 1985Univega nouevo sport 650b conversion 1993b'stone RBT 1985 Schwinn Tempo

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 534 Post(s)
Liked 143 Times in 96 Posts
Magnesium. I've never ridden one, but theyexist; there was one featured on the tandem forum recently.
ironwood is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 01:57 PM
  #12  
Lt Stonez
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Skien Norway
Posts: 425

Bikes: Specialized Sirrus Comp Carbon Disc '14

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by ironwood
Magnesium. I've never ridden one, but theyexist; there was one featured on the tandem forum recently.
There was an magnesium bike for sale here in my town 3 month ago. 300$ an the pro was testing it in the 80ish. Magnesium in frame to be cycling's metal of the future | UK | News | The Independent
Lt Stonez is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 02:40 PM
  #13  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,599

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,346 Times in 853 Posts
And Past .. they made a Diecast Magnesium bike frame 20 years ago.
fietsbob is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 02:52 PM
  #14  
HTupolev
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Seattle
Posts: 4,178
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1933 Post(s)
Liked 1,226 Times in 592 Posts
Originally Posted by Marcus_Ti
CF asplodes in direct sunlight.
Yep, even the bike companies warn of crabon's asplosiveness.

HTupolev is online now  
Old 04-03-16, 04:35 PM
  #15  
Paul Barnard
For The Fun of It
 
Paul Barnard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,680

Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2019 Post(s)
Liked 1,459 Times in 740 Posts
Nothing can compare to bamboo as a bike building material.
Paul Barnard is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 05:34 PM
  #16  
Jim from Boston
Senior Member
 
Jim from Boston's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 217 Times in 170 Posts
Originally Posted by one4smoke
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a all carbon fiber bike? What is the preferred frame material for most cyclists? Steel, aluminum, titanium or carbon?

Originally Posted by jamesdak
My preferred material is whatever makes the bike most comfortable for me on my long rides while giving me the biggest "grin factor" for enjoyment. So after many years I have come to realize that the best material for a bike frame is ... shoot, I don't know.

Most of my bikes are steel but I have a Ti one, a Cf one, and a couple of aluminum ones. All different but not a dog in the lot.
I can’t cite technical specifics nor have I ridden on that many different bikes, but here’s my description of the difference between a quality steel bike and quality carbon fiber bike.

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
For years, I rode a steel Bridgestone RB-1, costing about $650 down from about $800 as an end-of-year model when I bought it in the early 1980’s…I always wondered if the premium prices of CF, which I considered to be about $2000 was worth the presumed enhanced riding experience.

The Bridgestone was totaled in 2012 in an accident from which I was not sure I would ride again. Well I did, and decided to get a CF. My trusted mechanic said here’s the bike you want, knowing my riding style. Well the MSRP was $8000, but he got it for me at half off….

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
…My average speed stayed the same, but I think I was hampered by injuries from the accident, and I believe the new bike compensated at least to maintain my average speed. I did note that I was more inclined to sprint (successfully) to beat traffic lights before they turned red. I further craved the smoothness of the ride, including the shifting, making cycle-commuting more pleasurable. Of greatest benefit, while long (greater than 40 mile) rides took the same amount of time as before, I felt much less tired at the end.
Originally Posted by Marcus_Ti
Titanium is the fastest material.

CF asplodes in direct sunlight.
See this recent reply to a current General Cycling Forum thread, “Carbon fiber seat posts and handle bars, are they safe? And what do I need to know?”
Jim from Boston is offline  
Old 04-03-16, 09:37 PM
  #17  
AlmostTrick
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
 
AlmostTrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398

Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1548 Post(s)
Liked 939 Times in 503 Posts
Originally Posted by one4smoke
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a all carbon fiber bike?
Bragging rights (in some circles) and slightly higher risk of failure resulting in grave injury. Oh, and sometimes a tiny, mostly unmeasurable increase in performance.

What is the preferred frame material for most cyclists? Steel, aluminum, titanium or carbon?
Steel and aluminum, as rebel1916 correctly pointed out.


Originally Posted by Homebrew01
:

1 will not be enough.

:
Thank you for the serious laugh, Homebrew!
AlmostTrick is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gioscinelli
Classic & Vintage
21
10-24-17 03:16 AM
johnnyace
General Cycling Discussion
27
10-30-16 08:56 AM
Doctor Morbius
General Cycling Discussion
91
08-14-15 11:04 AM
CanadianBiker32
Road Cycling
80
08-02-13 11:10 AM
Lanceoldstrong
Northern California
19
12-07-12 11:55 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -

Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.