How much difference does your road bike make?

[Ge4orce]

Hi guys I just want to ask out of your own experiences how much of a time difference can a better lighter bike really make? I ride a entry level Al-frame how much faster would I be on a good carbon bike?

[AndreZA]

A cheap carbon bike or an expensive one? A cheap one can weigh more then your alu one and a expensive one will be lighter but cost you alot of money. Don't be fooled just because it is carbon.

[Ge4orce]

Say a carbon frame that is lighter than my Al-frame and say the carbon bike has like Ultegra or Dura Ace and my bike has Tiagra

[Ge4orce]

Say a expensive carbon frame that is lighter than my Al-frame and say the carbon bike has like Ultegra or Dura Ace and my bike has Tiagra

[camerons]

Hi guys I just want to ask out of your own experiences how much of a time difference can a better lighter bike really make? I ride a entry level Al-frame how much faster would I be on a good carbon bike?

 

From personal experience it make next to no difference to me. I went from an Alu framed cheapo road bike to a blinging carbon bike and didn't get any faster. The difference came in comfort as I was properly fitted for my new bike plus carbon frames are meant to dampen road vibrations alot more than alu. However because I had a nice bike I started enjoying my riding more, hence rode more, hence got faster that way.

 

I think that unless your alu bike is ultra heavy or very unaerodynamic you'll notice precious little extra speed. It's all about the engine.

[camerons]

Hi guys I just want to ask out of your own experiences how much of a time difference can a better lighter bike really make? I ride a entry level Al-frame how much faster would I be on a good carbon bike?

 

From personal experience it made next to no difference to me. I went from an Alu framed cheapo road bike to a blinging carbon bike and didn't get any faster. The difference came in comfort as I was properly fitted for my new bike plus carbon frames are meant to dampen road vibrations alot more than alu. However because I had a nice bike I started enjoying my riding more, hence rode more, hence got faster that way.

 

I think that unless your alu bike is ultra heavy or very unaerodynamic you'll notice precious little extra speed. It's all about the engine.

[Just Keep Pedaling]

I read somewhere on the internet that Aerodynamics count more than weight on road bikes - I think aerodynamic shapes are probably easier to achieve with Carbon than Aluminium. Then again I am a mtber so please dont quote me on this.

[Ge4orce]

Personally I believe if you have lighter rims with better hubs than you will see a difference on your times.But yeah the best way to be faster is to have stronger legs and be fitter.

[The Saint]

No matter what you ride you still have to pedal the thing. I'm with Ge4orce better wheels will make more of an impact than components and frame.

[Harry Potter]

Personally I believe if you have lighter rims with better hubs than you will see a difference on your times.But yeah the best way to be faster is to have stronger legs and be fitter.

Get a carbon bike if it’s your dream to have a carbon bike, and not with the mind that it will make you faster, you might be disappointed BIG!!!!! time

[NotSoBigBen]

If any of you ever mention a bike will not make you faster when my 'spouse is in the house' there will be blood on the floor

[LeTurbo]

Hmmm. I don't think it helps ... much. If I look at my race times, it makes little difference whether I ride my 6-speed steel bike or my 10-speed titanium frame. What really counts is my mood and intent, and even fitness comes second to that.

[MTB_Roadie]

My average improved with about 4km/h over a 100km just by changing to a decent carbon frame....so yes it made a huge difference....also upgrading form a Alu frame with alloy fork.....less vibrations, the ride feels amazingly smooth and is full carbon, frame, fork and seatpost, also made me faster in the wind as I can maintain a decent average....so I believe it was the best money spend in my opinion!

[TNT1]

Hi guys I just want to ask out of your own experiences how much of a time difference can a better lighter bike really make? I ride a entry level Al-frame how much faster would I be on a good carbon bike?

 

Get a training program and a coach. will be cheaper. You'll go faster.

[Mister B]

My old aluminium Bianchi is lighter than a rather expensive new carbon Bianchi.

 

As every one says spend money on the wheels, that will shave off some time.

 

I rebuilt an old carbon to see there was a difference in road buzz, both bikes are from around 2005 era.

 

no real difference in ride, the carbon is actually a bit hevier, but feels lighter.

[DaLoCo]

I upgraded to a carbon frame just before the Argus. Both frames are Merida, so the geometry is basically the same. I moved the whole groupset over, so only the frame and saddle changed.

 

On my training ride I have an outride, and then return on the same road. I do about 80% of the climbing on the outride, so I get a nice downhill return ride

 

What I did find is that outride improved by 2 km/h on the average, but the return ride stayed the same (done 3 days after the last ride with the alu frame). The carbon frame does feel more responsive on the climbs, which probably accounts for the improvement. I am very happy with the carbon frame upgrade. I don't think it is the weight difference, rather the way the frame flexes