Best Reliable Carbon Fiber Frame.. and Light Too!
 

Hello everyone,

Here's a twist on buying a carbon fiber frame.

I am in the market for a used carbon fiber where weight and reliability are both important. I love to climb, so naturally I am looking for a light frame. However, I am also looking for a frame that is strong and has a a good reputation of reliability. I have already read several horror stories where a carbon fiber frame cracks a top tube in it's first 100 miles on the road and I want to avoid this.

So... for those of you hammering out miles week after week, what decent climbing CF frame would you consider buying? Thanks in advance for your responses.

Mike

Cervelo R5CA or Super Six Evo

Any frame you want. Every single manufacturer is going to have defective frames. Look for a used frame from a big-name manufacturer

There are millions of carbon fiber parts in the world, from racing boats to machinery to F1 racing to biking. I don't know why people trust metal over carbon fiber.

If you want to go super-light, then ********** suggested the two lightest ones out there

Hi, welcome to the forums! Unless you're planning on dropping some serious cash, ignore the sarcasm/hazing that seems to be somewhat prevalent around here.

What is your price range anyway? For the $1,000-$2,000 range there are some aluminum bikes that are in fact lighter than carbon because nicer components on these make up the weight difference of a cheap carbon fiber bike.

I have a different opinion. Buy a used Calfee. I have bought two of them. Calfee has been building carbon frames since 1987. I have a Tetra which is the oldest continually produced model carbon frame on the market. These are not disposable frames with titanium in the bottom bracket, head tube and drop outs. Calfee is also the only manufacturer that I am aware of that will let you transfer the warranty on a used frame. One last thing, if you were to break it there is nobody better to repair a carbon fiber frame than Calfee. Craig Calfee has repaired thousands of other manufacturers frames.

Starting from lightest to heaviest his frames are Dragonfly, Tetra and Luna. He also builds bamboo bikes.

My Tetra has nude frame which means no paint on it. A manufacturer has to have a high attention to detail to produce a nude frame because paint and fillers can hide a lot of problems.

The Scott F01L frame

The trick is the same in any "used" buy. Buy "used and not "abused". How? Carefull inspection, and allot of luck.

You needed two threads about this?

Calfee.

{/thread**

a light carbon frame and fork is only 20% the weight of the total bike....your choices of components, wheels, etc is 80%....so don't just focus on the frame weight....If buying used...a uber light frame might NOT be the best choice...something 200 grams heavier might be a safer and less costly solution

Let's not forget that the rider weight is about 800% of the bike weight.

Thanks for all the great responses! (apologies for multiple post. I didn't know the first one went through)

Anyway, this all started because I have already come across a used ORBEA ORCA frame and fork and it does look to be in great shape (see photo). The owner is not a racer, is knowledgeable and is asking $600 for the frame and fork. I posted this thread because I was doing research on this frame.

That said, I surely need to look into Calfee frames. All of your comments have been helpful. I will hold off on buying a frame for now.

Thanks!

Mike
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