Carbon v Alloy
 

I know this thread has been posted hundreds of times, but in this instance the situation is reversed. The carbon bike I am looking at is cheaper, but weights more (maybe a pound or so). Is the carbon a better material even if the weight is not in its favor? I ask because it seems carbon can be quite fragile in crashes, humidity, and so on. If you had the option of carbon or alloy and the were pretty much the same cost, but the carbon weighed a little more which would you prefer and why?

Carbon is weak to humidity? Really?

Personally, I wouldn't base my decision solely upon weight or upon material.

if it gets scratched or something water can wreck the frame, no?

No.

Why do alot of people think that carbon is fragile? I had a 2003 Giant TCR and I was still riding it up til a couple of years ago when I sold it to buy a newer one. In that time I had raced it and got hit buy an SUV that had taco-ed my Mavic wheels, but the frame is still good.

Priceless - who gave you this little nugget?

+1 I was t-boned and dragged along the road for 40 feet under a car. My wheels, and almost everything else was trashed except for the frame.

Carbon fiber is commonly used to make boats. Water will not hurt carbon.

Airplanes also are made of Carbon Fiber, as are Formula 1 race cars, and even some super-high end sports cars, like Ferraris.

That said, most modern new carbon fiber frames are probably more durable than any high end, lightweight aluminum frames currently on the market. That's right, the average new carbon frame is probably more durable than a Caad 10.

To make aluminum lightweight, the tube walls are made very thin, and it is quite easy to dent the aluminum. Now, a dent will not immediately render an aluminum frame unsafe - it will not fail catastrophically, as carbon can - but the aluminum will eventually crack at the dent.

Now, you may be asking, why does everyone suggest racing a Caad 10 over a carbon frame - the answer is cost. Replacing a trashed Caad 10 is generally cheaper than a carbon frame, though unbranded Chinese frames are cutting that cost advantage.

Yes, but carbon can be repaired for a much lower price than replacing it.

Carbon is not more fragile. The problem is that when carbon fails, it fails spectacularly and catastrophically, compared to metal frames.

But regardless, you'd generally have to have quite an accident to be a candidate for http://www.bustedcarbon.com/.

Actually carbon can be damaged by water, it will soak it up if water is in contact with the end grain of the fibre which can indeed damage it. Scratches should be sealed to prevent this but in reality a scratch usually does not expose the ends of the fibres, it exposes the sides so water is not such an issue

I sure hope carbon isn't bad in humidity.

Gets all frizzy as soon as you step outside...

So slather the bike in this before every ride.

http://www.freebiespot.net/wp-conten...frizz-ease.jpg

^ Smooths without dampening road feel - I use it myself.

Yep. That's why boats are made of it.

Actualy I agree but you over-simplify the issue