Ami K

I currently ride an aluminum frame Specilized Allez elite (about 2500 miles annually), and obviously feel every little bump and pothole on the road.
Thinking about upgrading to a better bike, but its important for me to reduce the vibrations as much as possible.
Among the possible choices of steel, carbon or titanium frames, which type of bike will be best for reducing the vibrations?

Once the material of the frame is chosen, is there any difference among the leading brands as far as vibration reduction?

No Exit

I have carbon and steel.... my vote is for steel. Dont know about titanium tho. Steel might be a little heavier but I like the ride better than the carbon bike for some reason.

Medpilot

I have an aluminum and titanium bike. The Ti is a little smoother than the aluminum, but it would be a lot cheaper to just put some wider tires on your aluminum. Probably give you the same if not better ride for a lot less money.

ZappCatt

Softride

https://www.softride.com/category.asp?cid=1

Ami K

I am already using 25c tires, inflated to only 100 psi, so that may not be the solution for me.
thanks for your input though...

55/Rad

I have carbon, steel, scandium aluminum, and a ti/carbon mix. Best is the steel but the carbon is nice.

55/Rad

Kenal0

I went from an aluminium bike with Carbon fork to an aluminium bike with Carbon fork, seat and chain stays. I also have a carbon seat post. I found the ride to be much smoother with the new bike. You need to try a some out and decide for yourself.
KL

Serpico

+1


yeah, try this before you drop more money on a new frame

georgiaboy

Great bike designed to smooth out the road is the Specialized Roubaix:



Check out this demo:

https://www.specialized.com/bc/techlab_zertz.jsp?a=b

cytoman

Ditto georgiaboy. I just finished riding my 2005 Specialized Roubaix Elite over some of the roughest roads around here. On my steel bike, my hands would be numb on these roads. On the Roubaix, I just fly over them.

rmwun54

I had a Trek 2000 aluminum road bike with a Profile carbon fork that I rode for three years, and yes I felt all the bumps on the road. Now I have a Dean ti road bike with the same Profile carbon fork and man what a difference. I also have an old Bianchi steel 12 speed that I paid $900 for and it rides just as nice as my Ti bike. So steel would be a more reasonable buy than the ti for the money. My friends Trek 5000 carbon is nice but it feels kind of strange, but he loves it.

TrekDen

Yes

Jakey

Mondonico FOCO. The frame will cost ya close to $3k, but I challenge you to find a better ride.

trayer350

Carbon and steel tend to have the least vibrations. Steel has more spring in it, but carbon, prices being equal, is usually lighter and more stiff than steel, and those latter factors help with climbing.

AnthonyG

100 psi is still a lot of pressure, particularly if your concerned about ride quality. I run 85 psi front and 90 psi rear although I'm a lightweight. Try dropping your tire pressure a little.

Also consider fit. Having your seat too far forward places too much weight on your hands and shoulders which is VERY tiring.

Regards, Anthony

fmw

I own steel, aluminum and carbon bikes. I just finished a test of the three over the same route with varying pavement quality. My conclusion about my bikes is that the carbon fiber produces the most "compliance" and the least road vibration transmitted to my body. I think I prefer the steel frame overall but there is no question that the carbon frame insulates me from rough road vibration more than the others. There is no question that the aluminum is the worst at that. On smooth roads they are all about the same. But get on a washboard road and the differences are quite apparent. If vibration damping is the main issue, carbon is the way to go.

boyze

I doubt the actual frame material makes much difference in vibration attenuation. It would be more influenced by tire pressure, tire size, rim and spoke design, and then frame geometry including fork and rake desings. Also as mentioned much of what you feel is the fit of the of the set up. If the set up is putting weight on your upper body then you'll feel it more. Good padded gloves and chamois can also make a huge difference. How one rides is also very important. One can float over the road or ride deep seated(an analogy for you equestrians). Stiff arms and legs and a deep seat will feel every road bump. Let the arms and legs act as shock absorbers.

Stv

I have an entry level Specialized-Roubaix (4,800 kms.YTD) that is incredibly comfortable with virtually NO road buzz. The 4 point Zertz technology works very well. BTW, a LOT of frame flex is built into this particular model, it is very noticeable and I would suspect that also has much to do with the comfort ride.

https://specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9365


I visited my LBS Saturday and I took the mechanics Specialized-Tarmac-Pro, Campy equipped and also a stock Tarmac-Comp off the shelf, out for a spin. Very fast, stiff rides, but I was blown away with the intense amount of road BUZZ both of these bikes transmitted back to me in comparison to the Roubaix. The asphalt was granular enough to cause hand and wrist buzz and some blurred vision riding Tarmac's, but I returned on my Roubaix and the ride was noticeably much smoother.

I've been comfort spoiled by this Roubaix I'm sure. (BTW, the Tarmac even has two dampers on the forks and stays, one wonders what it would be if the dampers were not on it !)

https://specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9726


https://specialized.com/bc/techlab_zertz.jsp?a=b

pedex

lower tire pressure a bit, 1-2lbs at a time, repeat till comfortable or pinch flat happens

jwbnyc

Check out the Carbon Pilots from Trek too.

1955

I'm with georgiaboy on this. I have a Specialized Roubaix Pro and it rides like a dream. The difference between my old Specialized Allez (about a 1988 model) and the Roubaix are night and day. I have mild problems with carpal tunnel syndrome when I ride my old bike or sit at the computer improperly buy never from the Roubaix. Give a test ride and you'll be lusting after it big time.

Ralph

Shut up & ride

I recently went through the shopping drill. Because of a bum elbow and because my local roads are rough, vibration damping was a primary consideration. I never found any aluminum bike (no matter if fork or rear end were carbon) that was acceptable. I found all-steel and all-carbon bikes that were acceptable. Didn't try titanium because of price points and less availability.

I could've gone for either steel or full-carbon, but the full-carbon bikes had noticeably better responsiveness (acceleration) which I liked even though I don't race. Because of that and because I didn't find an all-steel bike that fit me very well, I wound up buying the Specialized Roubaix Elite.

The Trek Pilot and Giant OCR Comp bikes were also contenders. I found the Pilot to have equally good vibration damping and the Giant was very close. Ultimately the final decision came down to fit.

In all-steel, I came close to choosing a Bianchi Vigorelli with an FSA carbon bar. It was sweet, but again, the fit was a bit off.

Plenty of good choices out there. Just no aluminum for me.

Enthalpic

Geometry wise look for frames with long chainstays. For the front you could use a bar wrap, gloves, carbon bars and a tire with high thread count. Steel or carbon fork with good curvature towards the dropouts. Do not get a fork where the rake comes from the angle at the headtube.

1955

I sense some denial here...you claim that anything BUT the largest component of a bike can make a difference in the vibrations felt. I find it very hard to believe that padded gloves and shorts make a bigger difference than the frame material. Quit being so afraid of carbon and it's benefits. I can certainly understand that people have a preference for one material or another but to completely discount one materials obvious benefits out of hand makes me suspect ones motives.

Now I have an older steel frame bike, it’s not an Italian wonder bike and rides VERY rough. Maybe if I compared it to a nice steel Colnago frame I might change my mind, but every high end bike maker is going the way of carbon frames and as much as people like to call it marketing, people will eventually buy what works best, marketing be damned. I do understand the thinking though, I have a pair of top of the line CCM’s hockey skates that are about 18 years old and I have an even older pair of 30 year old all steel ProLite blades that I can’t wait to put on when the blades on my present skates wear out. I hate the idea of non-leather non-all steel blades but I to will have to move on.

MadScientist

I object

I have a 1992 trek 2300 and it has a carbon frame and i love it no vibes for me

May His Force Be With You