Dilemma: Aluminum again, or carbon?
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#52
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Actually, I find the Venge very comfortable; as I do the Klein. My point is just that since the same thing can be achieved with an old AL bike (albeit, a very well-designed, well-made AL bike) it's not the CF material that is doing anything magic; but rather how a bike is designed and constructed. Both bikes are very stiff, and yet ride nicely- even with 23mm tires.
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On my carbon bike one gear will do it all. Flats, hills
But on the aluminum I have to change gears, not much but some so that means that my carbon bike has that extra snap to it.
Plug for the Spec SL4 frame, I would sell it due to no money to buy food.
But on the aluminum I have to change gears, not much but some so that means that my carbon bike has that extra snap to it.
Plug for the Spec SL4 frame, I would sell it due to no money to buy food.
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No offense but, as someone who has had everything but ti, that's hard to believe. Perhaps your mind was telling you that to justify your purchase. What alu bike was it that you had 32's on that was substantially less comfortable than a carbon bike with smaller tires?
#56
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Putting comfort aside for a second, bike weight definitely makes a difference and generally carbon is lighter than aluminum.
How do I measure my performance increases between my aluminum bike and my carbon bike? By using a bike computer that tells me how fast I did certain routes and segments. Garmin and Strava segments that are laid over climbs help me see the performance difference. Not that it really matters as I don't race, but what it does allow me to do is go farther on group rides as I use less power to maintain the same speed and climbs.
Greater comfort and performance may not be something the OP is looking for though with his next bike purchase.
How do I measure my performance increases between my aluminum bike and my carbon bike? By using a bike computer that tells me how fast I did certain routes and segments. Garmin and Strava segments that are laid over climbs help me see the performance difference. Not that it really matters as I don't race, but what it does allow me to do is go farther on group rides as I use less power to maintain the same speed and climbs.
Greater comfort and performance may not be something the OP is looking for though with his next bike purchase.
Last edited by Jarrett2; 01-22-15 at 10:51 AM.
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It could have been believable until you posted about 32c tires. 25's or even 28's maybe, but 32's? I don't see how any road bike on this planet could be uncomfortable with 32c tires at the proper pressure. I just don't believe what you posted, no offense. What alu bike was this that you stuffed 32's on? You never said which makes it even more suspicious.
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You're not riding my bike, so how would you know how it rides? Generalizations lead to stereotype lead to rumors and so on and so on. Your experience with carbon fiber bikes has nothing to do with my experience an I've ridden the steel bikes, the aluminum bikes, and the carbon fiber. I wouldn't make the generalizations that you do. They don't match up with my experience.
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Exactly what is "strange" about asking you what bike you had? It's a simple question, and most people state exactly what bikes they're talking about. Since you could fit 32's on it, if you in fact had 32's, was it a comfort bike with relaxed geometry? If it was a race frame, which one was it that could fit a tire that size? A non-answer will actually say it all. Everyone has different opinions on bikes, some do feel carbon it more comfortable and I can dig it, but when I see a line of BS I call it out.
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What's strange is to tell someone that you don't believe what they are saying and then ask them for more info. You've stated it three times now. You don't believe me. So there is now no reason for me to waste my time answering the questions of someone who clearly doesn't believe what I'm saying. When I see faulty logic and reasoning, I also call it out
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What's strange is to tell someone that you don't believe what they are saying and then ask them for more info. You've stated it three times now. You don't believe me. So there is now no reason for me to waste my time answering the questions of someone who clearly doesn't believe what I'm saying. When I see faulty logic and reasoning, I also call it out
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What's strange is to tell someone that you don't believe what they are saying and then ask them for more info. You've stated it three times now. You don't believe me. So there is now no reason for me to waste my time answering the questions of someone who clearly doesn't believe what I'm saying. When I see faulty logic and reasoning, I also call it out
#67
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Put the money on the bank, or invest in the family.
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carbon carbon carbon! Did I mention carbon? I think you should go with carbon.
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There are nice carbon frames that are less than $3k by a long shot. Check out the Trek Emonda SL. It's light as a feather, decently aero, and only costs $1,400.
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I say, go out with your guns ablazin'.
Buy your dream bike now. Spend whatever is necessary. Cash, credit... Beg, borrow, steal.
Don't worry about the wife... It's always better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.
In twenty years, she'll hardly ever think about how you blew your mortgage down payment
Buy your dream bike now. Spend whatever is necessary. Cash, credit... Beg, borrow, steal.
Don't worry about the wife... It's always better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.
In twenty years, she'll hardly ever think about how you blew your mortgage down payment
Do what you really want now with no regrets later in life.
Wait a few more months and you'll get mortgages with 5% down. Get the nice bike now and the house in a little later. Better yet, do both now. Credit card interest is low.
#72
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Wow, this post has gotten popular. The CAAD10 has already been sold, so I have a fresh slate and cash in-hand. And while I'd love to n+1, I can't justify more than one good bike. In fact, keeping one would seriously diminish the budget of the next.
I've crossed off the Scott's. Great price, nice bikes, but just can't come to terms with their color/paint schemes. Got a pretty nice price quote on a Cervelo R3, and keeping that as a possibility, but the dealer (the nearest one) is two hours away, which isn't real helpful for test riding, service, or warranties. Locally, that leaves Specialized, where my options are the Tarmac Expert, or selling my still-in-the-box Dura-Ace C35 clinchers I have to offset the cost of the Pro Race, which has carbon Rovals that may or may not last longer than the C35's. This is, after all, a long-term purchase made on the hopes that my upcoming home selection just happens to be sitting atop millions in previously undiscovered oil reserves, so an investment in wheels matters too.
I've crossed off the Scott's. Great price, nice bikes, but just can't come to terms with their color/paint schemes. Got a pretty nice price quote on a Cervelo R3, and keeping that as a possibility, but the dealer (the nearest one) is two hours away, which isn't real helpful for test riding, service, or warranties. Locally, that leaves Specialized, where my options are the Tarmac Expert, or selling my still-in-the-box Dura-Ace C35 clinchers I have to offset the cost of the Pro Race, which has carbon Rovals that may or may not last longer than the C35's. This is, after all, a long-term purchase made on the hopes that my upcoming home selection just happens to be sitting atop millions in previously undiscovered oil reserves, so an investment in wheels matters too.
#73
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What state are you in? Most states don't sell mineral rights with property especially if you are living in a subdivision of some sort.
#74
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I finally took my 1st long ride on my new Giant aluminum bike. I have same tires as on my Sirrus Carbon bike and same tire pressure and have a 25mm tire in the back vs 23mm rear Sirrus. There is a big difference to me, those vibes are felt! I do not want to ride long distance on an aluminum bike. The carbon is so nice to have that its no doubt worth its double msrp price.
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