Fuji_cyclist

After shopping for some new handlebars I am noticing that a lot of parts can be made out of carbon fiber. In fact, the frame I'm going to reward myself with after 6 months of hard training is the Colanago C-50.

How much Carbon fiber could I put on my future Colnago.

This is one of the handlebars I'm thinking about:

sydney

Depends on how fat you wallet is and how many poseur' points you want.

TheKillerPenguin

Carbon fiber shorts, shoes, shirt, skin, skeleton, and nostrils (dont ask me why) are now available thanks to the wonders of science. If you manage to get all that done, then you can put a hell of a lot of carbon fiber on top of your bike.

55/Rad

Here we go again. But in the spirit of trying to be helpful, I'll start by asking...

What are you going to be doing with this bike?

55/Rad

shokhead

Handlebars,bottle cages,brake calipers, crank, and probably everything inbetween. I just heard the F1 used carbon gearboxes at 19,000rpm.

sydney

Would look nice over the fireplace.

Fuji_cyclist

Riding it.

I just want to have the most carbon fiber possible. I just like the way it looks.

TheKillerPenguin

You have too much money. I reccomend you give me some.

55/Rad

I hear training wheels come in carbon. Might want to get some for the Fuji as they might look silly on the Colnago. JMO....

55/Rad

Chef23

I was waiting for you to show

Grasschopper

my58vw

Lets see, frame, fork, crank, derailerurs, shifters, brakes, wheels, handle bars, stem, headset spacers, top cap, seat post clamp,, Bottom Bracket peices, now hubs, spokes... hmm just about 90 percent of the bike can theoretically be carbon fiber! Wow!

Smaug

Don't forget the Carbon "Road Rage Enforcer". None of that wimpy pepper spray for Mr. Fuji Cyclist. If you want all carbon, meet the Bushmaster Carbon 15 Type 97 Pistol.

Lightweight. All Carbon. Dangerous. Very Expensive. Just like Cinelli handlebars.

Patriot

Carbon 15 is not all that expensive. A National Match M1A is.

I have a bike with lots of carbon, and one thing I have learned, is that you can get most components very similar in weight or even less by going with quality alloy components. One is stems. Very few carbon stems weigh less than The Rithcey WCS, ITM Millenium, or the Syntace line. They are very affordable, carbon is not. Many maxxed out carbon bikes actually weigh quite a bit more than bikes with a mix of good alloy components that cost less, and provide just as good a ride if used in the right places.

Look at 55/Rads new weight weenie bike (Santana). The two heaviest components of the bike are both alloy. The frame, and the AC-350 wheels. They are what makes it a real weight weenie ride, not carbon.

But, I will say one thing about the latest carbon components.

"BLING!!!!"

Break out your wallet.

53-11_alltheway

You can make a alloy parts light, but the question is will they be as stiff as their CF equivalents?

Patriot

53, you should know. One of the reasons people complain so much about aluminum, is that it's sometimes too stiff, which is why it's best for crits and climbing. I really think most cf frames and good aluminum frames have similar stiffness and power transfer. But, the aluminum is usually not quite as smooth riding. Scanadium frames can easily match high end cf frames in weight and stiffness, though not quite as smooth, but they cost less han half as much.

jsharr

Does American Express make a carbon fiber card yet? If so, what are the odds that Fuji Cyclist is packing one?

Jim Bonnet

wtf is that protrusion on the front for? is that supposed to be for aero positioning or mounting headlights and computers?

53-11_alltheway

Aluminum parts have to be designed stiff because there is no fatigue limit. However, on a gram per gram basis I wonder how CF and Al actually compare.

Look at the Scott CR-1. It has a good stiffness to weight ratio apparently.

Patriot

(Jim Bonnet) "wtf is that protrusion on the front for? is that supposed to be for.... "


It's so he can strap a Teddy Bear to it.

Patriot

Look at the Scott CR1 price tag, compared to 55/Rads scandium frame.

Chef23

How does a CR1 compare to a new Scandium frame. Not all of us can find a deal like Rad got.

53-11_alltheway

I know what you are saying.

To me my dream bike is the one I get on sale. If you keep an open mind you can do well for yourself by snatching up opportunities like that Santana.

The chance of me ever owning a CR-1 is very remote unless one shows up on ebay in new condition. Scandium seems like a better return on the dollar considering all the hype for CF frames. Trek frames go for a lot of money, but I wouldn't buy one unless I got a great deal on one.

I've seen some Bianchi Scandium frames that I would love to have.

Patriot

Believe it or not. Good Scandium frames can readily be had for $500-$700 dollars. But then, so can a Pedal Force cf blank. But, if you go high end carbon, you will fork out a good $1500-$2000.

jakemoffatt

Well I don't know about that. I searched and searched, and I couldn't find one teddy bear made of carbon fiber, so it can't be for that!