Can you name me a few bike brands that make stronger carbon frames than others? I've been reading and searching but found articles years old.

I'm trying to decide whether to purchase aluminum or carbon frame. I am new to road cycling and do not want to worry my bike tilting over and cracking but at the same time would like to own a light weight bike.

I'll be test riding a few bikes tomorrow and if you can please name a few so I can ask the LBS for them.

Thank you.

I know some bikes like the Pinarello Dogma have internal ribs and others use "carbon nano tubes." I thought Colnago EPS/EPQ/c59 tubes were ribbed as well. My Look 595 has compressed or "forged" dropouts and bottom bracket, as well as "nano tubes."

CNTT - Carbon Nano Tube Tech
- The ultimate evolution of nano-technology.
- Carbon nano tubes exhibit extraordinary strength. When combined with epoxy resin and nano-powder (the base of nanotechnology) provide an increase of fracture resistance by 49% when compared to standard resin and 20% greater than carbon nano tech.

CNT - Carbon Nano Tech
- Nano scaled particles are added to the resin during the manufacturing process.
- Reduces microscopic gaps between resin and the fibers; creating a shear strength increase of 27% over standard resin construction.

Troll?

Seriously, they are all fine, they won't break when they tip over, or no one would own them.

Says so right on the frame.

No trolling here. Sorry to have offended some of you with this question. I just don't want to drop $2k+ on my first road bike and have a heartache when I see a crack in it (read on other threads).

So far, I'll be testing out the Felt F5, Caad10, Specialized Allez.. Let me know if you think I should try out others (and I know that the F5 is the only carbon frame bike on my list) Thanks.

Aluminum FTW. Bonus points if you get a CAAD.

Why are you guys acting like this isn't a legitimate topic? Carbon fiber frames are NOT all made the same way. The difference in durability (strength) between a Pinarello Dogma and a Chinarello could not be any larger. You don't even have to conduct tests or do research to know this is true.

stick with known brands or companies with a reputation for standing behind their products if you're worried. A lot of manufacturers have a crash insurance you can purchase as well. Carbon is not indestructible, but its pretty tough. There are lots of people who have been riding carbon bikes for many, many thousands of miles without failures in all kinds of abuse. This is not new unproven technology. On the other hand, I wouldn't completely rule out AL and lightweight steel until you've tried them all and compared how they feel to you.

Chinarello!

When you're riding the Cannondale and the Specialized, you might as well take a Supersix and Tarmac out for comparison.

Carbon frames do not spontaneously crack. That is so 1990s.

The voice of reason has NO place in this forum. You are asking to be banned!

Sig-worthy!

If you feel obliged to ask, then let me displace your fears. If you have $2K+ to drop on a road bike, then don't get an aluminum or carbon fiber bike, unless you intend to race. If you want a nice solid road bike, that will last for decades and is almost as light as carbon fiber and indeed lighter than some aluminum road bikes, then purchase the Jamis Quest. It's made of one of the strongest grades of chromoly steel (631), comes with 105 componentry, and if you're in shape, will beat the dickens out of the average high end CF or aluminum bike, cyclist!

www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/quest/12_quest.html
The Jamis Quest ~ 105's @ $1800 ...(19 lbs)

Good Luck!

- Slim

PS.

It would be foolish to question the strength of chromoly steel with its long and proven history!

* Chubikes, make certain that you research information about such things a fatgue life, stress cycles, impact-resistance, yield strength, and durability, prior to making your purchase. Also, always test-ride each bike, before you pull the trigger!

Check out the links in my signature space to start your research. Also, check this one out:

www.brightspoke.com/c/understanding/bike-frame-materials.html

Get an aluminum frame.

1) You're new to the sport, so why drop $2000+ when a bike that costs $1000 - $1500 will ride just as fast, and almost as smooth?
2) If you wind up truly love cycling, you're likely to want a second bike in a few years. The aluminum will be your beater/backup bike.
3) The weight difference is negligible. For example, the Jamis Xenith Comp (entry-level carbon) is $2000 and 19.75 lbs; the Jamis Ventura Race (good-quality aluminum) is $1400 and 19.75 lbs. The performance differences are unlikely to be worth the extra $600.
4) Last but not least: Don't buy a bike you can't afford to replace. That's a little easier for most folks when the bike is in the $1000 - $1500 range.

3) the weight difference is mostly due to the component group and wheels used on the bike, not frame material.

Storck. Crashed mine a few times with no probs. Light and stiff as hell.

Slim,

Not to sound offensive but do you work for Jamis? Or are you just a die-hard fan? Because on the other post you also recommend Jamis and I searched these forums for archives where I found you also suggesting Jamis to other people. Anyway, what do you think about the Jamis Quest compared to this Reynolds w/ Red Component? https://bikesdirect.com/products/moto...io_inferno.htm

He really likes Jamis. For a while he was on Trek carbon frames too, but that seems to have been short-lived while Jamis endures.

If I bought a bike from BD it wouldn't be the one you've linked. Make sure your bike fits. Get the right frame size, and adjust the saddle, stem (height and length) and then adjust over time as you grow more accustomed to the road bike riding position.

The Jamis Quest is the only good bike. I will throw all my bikes in the garbage and buy a Jamis Quest tomorrow.
What fork should I get to replace Jamis' carbon fiber fork ?

Slim suggests a metal frame over CF??

I am shocked! Truly shocked!!

Over / under on thread life?

also this ^^

Stuff happens, bikes crash, things break - even the almighty cromoly steel can fail.

I think there is only one way to know for sure; take a hammer to the LBS and give each CF top tube a good rap...the one that doesn't crack is your bike. You may want to do it twice, just relying on one hit seems a little too trusting.

Hey there Chubikes,

No. I don't work for Jamis! I only promote their chromoly steel bikes because, I personally have ridden most of their steel bikes (both road and hybrid). I took one summer off, and helped a friend of mine who owns a Jamis dealership back in Ohio. He would let me borrow any bike that I wanted during that summer. As it turned out, I only enjoyed the ride of chromoly steel bikes produced by Jamis. I never rode the Eclipse (he didn't stock it). However, I rode the Quest for a little over two weeks. It was absolutely fantastic! It was much faster than my Nishiki Sebring and faster than all the other bikes in my road club, except for two others (those guys just had the correct DNA).

To answer your question about the Motobecane Inferno. When compared to the Quest and taking the $200 price differential into consideration, I'd say that they are close to being equivalents, if the Inferno feels as good as the Quest when cycling.

- Slim