When choosing components, frames mostly, for your new bike or bike build many of us are first, stunned and baffled by the price of seemingly simplistic components. After the initial shock of discovering what components costs, and after I made peace with it, I was absolutely overthrown with choice. There are countless combinations, styles, and materials and what demanded my attention most was the very snazzy looking carbon fiber components. They draw you closer with promise of performance, then slap you across the face with their price tag. After finishing my bike build, I was quite skeptical about the carbon frame I had acquired. I had heard too many rumors of people precious carbon components splintering and what seems like exploding... None the less, I was quite pleased with the look, weight, and performance of my frame. But then I had a thought... I weighed my old alloy frame with my new carbon frame, and found the difference to be in the amount of water you carry... It was very small and nearly not worth mentioning. With the wonder of proper care of a carbon frame and the fact that most say it is not repairable got me thinking. Is carbon fiber better than alloy? I understand for road cycling every gram counts, but for a doing-it-for-fun MTB'er is carbon really an upgrade, or just an expensive alternative? My dad broke his Truvativ XX carbon crank and now uses a alloy XT crankset, and is very happy with it. There have been select cases of carbon cranks' pedal inserts breaking off, for example: But these are rare cases, but still fills one with a little but of fear that your expensive components are going to blow up. So in all of your opinions, what do you believe to be better? What have you experienced with carbon components, and what are your thoughts?
