Frame durability
 

I am looking into getting a new road bike and and I have a question about frame longevity. I currently have an old Trek 330 from when I was in highschool. This bike is very reliable and people always tell me that it is in incredible shape for a bike that was purchased in 1987. Since it is a steel frame and has lasted this long I am leaning toward a steel frame over a carbon or Al/carbon frame for durability. My budget at this point could also let me purchase an all carbon frame. It just seems to me that if you are joining two different materials together eventualy they will develope cracks at the joints or have other problems. I have also heard that carbon will eventualy start to crack. Any input on this would be great.

^^^ I'm not even gonnna go there.

If carbon scares you that much, then I won't even bother to explain the benefits of it. However, if you want something that I think is better than steel for strength, but also won't rust...

Titanium.

If you know your size, and shop around on Ebay, you can get a new lower end, or used higher end Ti frame for pretty decent prices.

Nothing is out of reach if you really want it, and do your research.

It's not that I am afraid of a carbon frame it is just in the price range I am looking at ($1600.00-1800.00 for a complete bike) there are just a lot of bikes with carbon seat stays or rear triangles, and this is an area that is going to need to soak up the bumps and I would think it would fatigue over time. I have not been able to find any real information on the longevity of such frames anywhere. My brother-in-laws all have carbon frames and I have taken one out for a short spin and it was just as sturdy as my steel frame, and had a similar feel. I plan on taking my time and riding several bikes to find the one I want so it may be next year before I actual purchase.

There are plenty of Treks and other cf bikes from the mid-90's that are still on the road. There's a reason they come with a lifetime warranty. It's because they really do last, if you take care of it. Abuse will destroy any bike, regardless of the frame material.
Heck if you want a cf frame, there are tons out there you can build a great bike for that price range.

I personally just built a Ti machine with some very nice high end Campy components for around $2,000. Not bad for a Ti machine.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1143588029

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...7&d=1143588067

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...8&d=1143588074

It took a bit of shopping, but to go to the LBS, and get a high quality Ti framed bike, with a Chorus group, cf compact crank, and integrated carbon bar/stem setup, will cost you at minimum $3,500.00. But, like I said, it can be had if you take your time, do a little work yourself, and build it to fit you, and only you. Then, it will truly be your bike, and no one elses.

I also have a full carbon road bike that weighs only 14.9lbs. The frame cost me $650.00, and I also built the bike myself. I have put it through some serious paces over the last year, and I'm not at all concerned the frame will just suddenly crack and explode while riding.

That is a nice looking ride. My brother-in-law has built a couple of bikes, so that is an option I have been looking at also. As far as wear and tear you are right, if you take care of it, it will last a long time. I have just had such great luck with my old bike that when I do upgrade I just hope to get the same life out of it that the old Trek has given me. Thanks for your input.

If you really want data on this, look at the EFBe testing results for different materials. You may be surprised at how titanium compares to aluminum.

http://www.efbe.de/

Thanks for the info