Saw article on new Smartweld tech used by Specialized and the dam frame looks like a carbon frame....Asking big $ as well. Will you ever go back to non carbon? I like the idea of high quality alm frames that at least make me feel as if they will last longer and stronger than Carbon for less $.

I haven't even gone to carbon, yet.

Same here. My "newest" bike is a 2008 Cannondale Six-13, but I think it is basically a CAAD 9 with 1 or 2 carbon tubes.

I guess I do have a carbon fork if that counts...

anyone would think that carbon is some new untested fad, the way you luddites talk about it.

I've only been cycling for a couple of years and haven't purchased a carbon frame bike yet. I have plans to purchase one this year depending on finances. I guess the definition of Luddite has changed recently since I see nothing in this thread that resembles the classic definition.

Both of my bikes are steel. I went with it on the "fast" roadie because I wanted something unique. Nearly everyone that I ride with has carbon, I wanted something a little different. The other bike is steel simply because I wanted a more utilitarian bike that could handle racks, fenders and large tires. I've had a few carbon framed bikes and they were very good bikes. It's just a frame material, if it's a bike that makes me want to get out and ride, then it doesn't matter what it's made of.

I just bought my first carbon frame set after riding alu for my first 5 years of road cycling. We're encased in ice up here right now so I'll build it up over the winter. My only fear is that after dropping a bunch of money into it, I'll still prefer the ride of my alu bike.

I haven't ridden full carbon so I guess the answer's no. My main bike has a carbon fork, seat stays and seatpost. When I need to replace that bike I'll probably go full carbon.

Not likely that you will prefer the Al bike, but it is quite possible you will still enjoy riding it. Fair enough.

dude Carbon is the magic riding material.....so take that back!

I don't own any carbon nor carbon a carbon fork soooo... <----luddite

Dude, how is Germany? You an American or a German dude? Whats the bike of choice there?

I'm American..

Bike like what brand or type?

City bikes of all flavors are the most popular.

Not a carbon snob, but those welds are not even close to invisible, and I'm definitely an anti-Specialized snob (can't stand the curved top tubes). So, not a fan of this one.

Only 36,000 miles on our custom full carbon tandem.

I haven't gone to carbon yet, steel, aluminum , titanium, is better.

Have owned/ridden steel/alu/ti/bamboo (extensively) . . .
Our butts are the happiest on c/f . . . so far!

I love my full carbon bike, but my newest purchase is an aluminum cyclocross bike to commute on.

If carbon was cheaper or I felt comfortable locking up a more expensive bike outside my work I may have gone fuill carbon on that too.

If you haven't gone carbon, how would you know?

I own 2 aluminum, one half carbon/aluminum and one full carbon. I also like to ride a good steel frame. I will admit that I am addicted to carbon candy. Bars, stems seatpost and wheels. Not a big fan of most full carbon road frames. Thinking of a Evo frame, but that is a far as it has gotten.
Cheers

This has probably been asked before, but my searching turns up nothing. It is probably also better posted in the Tandem forum, and I'll probably get some heat for this, but... why did you choose a tandem? As a solo road rider, I see them out there occasionally and I've never really understood why people choose to ride those versus simply having two bikes and riding together. I understand that you can share the workload, but isn't it easier and safer to just ride individual bikes? You can also have a conversation and enjoy the day together on two bikes, so I just don't understand the main attraction of these things. Flame away.

Tandems are fun to ride and good for a couple if fitness is not the same..I own one now for 15 yrs ride it with kids now, enjoy it....My wife is not able to hang solo thus it is fun. Try it.....

I'm not a carbon snob...but sometimes it pays to go where the industry goes.

I like Specialized bikes (yeah, I know...collective "BOOOO") and wanted their top tier road/climbing bike...which happens to be the Tarmac. Nothing against an Allez...they just obviously put most of their efforts in the Tarmac line. I test rode a Tarmac and loved it...so I bought it. I also went with carbon soled shoes...again, you want top tier road shoes, best bet is that its going to have a carbon sole. I wanted light SPD-SL pedals...again, I went with Carbon Ultegra pedals. It is what it is I guess, my choices were rather limited.

So no...I'm not a carbon snob, I love all bikes and definitely respect a steel/Ti/Alu frame. Honestly...I've been drooling over good Ti frames for some time now...

I have two road bikes at this point. The first of them that I bought was carbon. The second is aluminum. I use it for errands where I might have to lock my bike. Part of my reasoning is that as great as carbon is in many ways, it's not especially good at taking a blow, and if somebody else drops their bike into mine when they lock it up at the same rack, a cheaper metal bike will stand up better.