celerystalksme

alright...so here's the deal...

i'm saving up for a new frame. i already have roadbike and tri/tt bike (both carbon). i want this new frame to be my all purpose bike...i want it to commute, do a little road biking, tour, be utilitarian, and even cyclocross. heck...if i want, i even want to clip aerobars to it and take it to a triathlon or duathlon! my chameleon bike!!!

but what material? like my other two bikes, is carbon the way to go? is it the best mix of comfort, weight, and durability? no worry about corrosion...but should i worry about impact resistance as it will be my daily bike and my cyclocross bike?

or is aluminum the way to go? light...minimal corrosion resistance. but is it comfortable enough? modern folklore would suggest it's got a harsh ride. also...i want a light bike...is ultralight aluminum going to fold like an accordian in a crash? is it's limited fatigue endurance an concern since it will be a daily bike and cyclocross bike? i was reading usa cyclings cyclocross site...and they have a section on cx equipment...they said aluminum frames last 1-2 seasons. i know that's for dedicated racers...but still disturbing.

is steel the way to go? again...i want light...will a ultra light steel frame crumple in a crash? how big is corrosion a concern?

i don't even know what to think about titanium, or scandium or other odd materials i'm not even remotely familiar with...

any advice?

thanks!!!!!!!!!

Quijibo187

littledjahn

You might need to narrow those down a bit.

celerystalksme

well...i'm not looking for a 900 gram frame. just, as light as possible...

blacksquid

I think your best values, you didn't mention any price range, are in aluminium frames with carbon chain/seat stays. It goes without saying these days that you'll have a carbon fork. These frames are pretty comfy and will last you more than just a couple of years.

celerystalksme

price range? well...nothing TOO crazy...like, i ain't spendin no $10K on a bike. i am however considering a relatively affordable Seven frame...so i'm willing to spend a decent amount. course, i'll save and wait till spring if i opt for the Seven...

as for the type of frame you speak of...i was considering something like a Pinarello Cross Alloy...aluminum 7005 t6 triple butted...carbon fork...carbon rear stay (i think just the seat stay). seems like a relatively decent value...it ain't cheap, but it's not crazy either...

volleybrad

Get an aluminum frame for the weight & corrosion resistance.
Get wider tires for the comfort.

celerystalksme

huh...that didn't come to mind. wider tires, that seems to make sense.

ElJamoquio

Cyclocross bike. Wide tires don't fit on most new road bikes, and wide tires are needed for cross; and they certainly will help ride.

fogrider

I know what you mean. right now, I have 5 bikes. and the bike that is the most fun...cyclocross. I have 1 carbon road bike...great ride, very smooth and fast. 1 steel road bike, solid ride. 1 scandium road bike, light fast. 1 steel track bike, great for teaching the spin and 1 alum. cyclocross, it doesn't give up much to road bike and it can go off road...fun, fun and more fun. the thing about a cross bike is it is going to be heavier than a road bike just because the fork is going to weigh over a pound for the lightest full carbon fork you can find. if I were to do it over, I would get a scandium cross frame with a full carbon fork. I might consider ti for a softer ride, but scandium is light and strong.

celerystalksme

i think i might be interested in titanium...

who makes titanium frames? i know...merlin, seven, litespeed, dean...right? who else?