Carbon vs Alu

[rouxtjie]

Haha, advertise away

Surely the big brands put a lot of money & time into the R&D of their Carbon Frames and even though I know they are all made in a factory in the east, they can't be the same can they? (or am I missing something HUGE here?)

No you not....they are definitely not all made the same so I think you will make the right decision by going local. I was looking at a santa cruz highball and the Sworks stumpy a while ago...both excellent frames

[arendoog]

I have just rebuit my Single speed componants from a good carbon frame to a dedicated SS cro moly frame .The weight is 1,5kg more ,but it feels 5kg more .Once you have ridden a good carbon frame it is difficult to go back to anything else

[Andymann]

My wife rides a Scott Scale 910, I ride a Scale 940. I specifically wanted aluminium, and I did a lot of research before I bought my bike. The problem I found, is that very few Manufactures make a top-spec (Full XT/X9/X0) aluminium bike anymore. So it almost pays to spend the extra cash upfront, and go for a Carbon frame. Having said that, I've ridden her bike quite a bit and so have been able to do quite a good comparison. Her bike was initially much lighter - about 1.2kg, so yes it did feel a bit more nippy. It has a better fork, and much better wheels. However, it also cost R30K, where mine cost R13K.

 

I have recently upgraded my wheels, my seatpost and stem (to get a better fit), a set of flat Carbon bars (because Booth Carbon bars are the same price as Alu bars!) - all basic things you would probably do anyway to get whichever bike you buy to fit you well. This cost me around 10K, and now I am within a kg of her bike. The ride quality is almost identical, and I really struggle to feel the difference - apart from the better fork - hers is way more plush.

 

My suggestion - If you have the means - may as well go carbon, otherwise, go Alu, and over time you will be able to build up a good spec bike which will be pretty close to a Carbon bike anyway. And as a bonus, you will end up with something which is pretty unique.

[Weight Weenie]

IMO unless you are looking at buying the top shelf carbon frame one of the top brands like Scott, Cannondale or Spez you are wasting money, rather get better performing parts and a quality alu frame. for example my carbon medium 26" Zaskar frame weighs 1500g, same as a large 29" alu cannondale flash frame from 2012.

[Hennie VR]

Haha, advertise away

Surely the big brands put a lot of money & time into the R&D of their Carbon Frames and even though I know they are all made in a factory in the east, they can't be the same can they? (or am I missing something HUGE here?)

 

Sure. there is indeed a lot of R&D going into the design of frames. And some of the factories in the east does not follow the exact frame building procedure as the big brand. But I do know that you can get a unbranded frame coming from the same factory where the big names are manufactured. The only difference is that it does not have the logo on it.

 

The thing is, are you really going to notice the difference? Will that extra fraction of stiffness make such a big difference to your riding or can you compensate for that loss in stiffness by being a bit fitter?

 

The freedom that carbon (unbranded) frames offer is that you can build up the bike to your speck and look. You will have a bike that appeals to you and will be a custom build thus you will not look like the 15 other guys on the start line riding the same bike. You can even have the frame sprayed locally with your own design.

 

But I also dont take away anything from the commercial brands. They do offer quality products and after sales support where as with a carbon frame you are on your own to get compatible parts, importing etc.

[KENDA]

IMO unless you are looking at buying the top shelf carbon frame one of the top brands like Scott, Cannondale or Spez you are wasting money, rather get better performing parts and a quality alu frame. for example my carbon medium 26" Zaskar frame weighs 1500g, same as a large 29" alu cannondale flash frame from 2012.

 

I just love people who talk absolute sense !!!!!!

 

Listen to what this guy said, it's fact....

[rouxtjie]

I just love people who talk absolute sense !!!!!!

 

Listen to what this guy said, it's fact....

Yip excellent point by weenie

[kosmonooit]

Besides the bling and the weight in some cases, most of the difference for most of us is in the mind "I think therefore I am" otherwise known as the Placebo effect. Have posh carbon bike. will fly!

 

I've had plenty of Cannondale Al frames they have all lasted well, although Al will in time fatigue, the same can not be said for carbon. You also have to be a bit more careful with carbon frames and bits in terms of torques and maintenance.

[GrantK24]

Ok, so I am nowhere nearer my decision ?

My issue is not really about weight of the frames (I'm still a pretty firm believer in the thought that I can lose way more weight than ill be able to shave off a bicycle?)

Do I get WAAAAAY better components, wheels, fork and an ALU frame for R20k vs not as good components, wheels, fork and a Carbon frame?

Edited August 20, 2013 by GrantK24

[Lone_Ranger]

I'd look at the Booth Bikes as well. Imported frames, but with local support and I think they come with 5 year replacement warranty on the frame. You can also select the components according to your currrent budget. The owner is also a hubber, so you can get personal service. I think he goes by carbon 29er or something similar. (https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum/user/35786-carbon29er/)

 

My 2 cents.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Lone_Ranger

[rouxtjie]

Ok, so I am nowhere nearer my decision ?

My issue is not really about weight of the frames (I'm still a pretty firm believer in the thought that I can lose way more weight than ill be able to shave off a bicycle?)

Do I get WAAAAAY better components, wheels, fork and an ALU frame for R20k vs not as good components, wheels, fork and a Carbon frame?

That one for me thank you....

 

PS the quotes I got for a santa cruz highball ranged from 16000-18000 for the frame.

[kennyg]

To the OP.

 

On base level barbon bikes, you are not getting lighter weight or better performance than the Al bike. The base level carbons dont exactly have much R and D behind them and are generally copies of the big brand bikes at HT level. The major difference wont be flex or weight, but the natural vibration absorbtion the carbon bikes have.

 

In my opinion, get onto the best Alu, HT you can find. Look for good wheels,fork, group in that order of priority.

[Weight Weenie]

Go ride them if you can, need to keep geometry in mind and also you need to like what you are buying at the end of the day.

[Ryanpmb]

Ok, so I am nowhere nearer my decision ?

My issue is not really about weight of the frames (I'm still a pretty firm believer in the thought that I can lose way more weight than ill be able to shave off a bicycle?)

Do I get WAAAAAY better components, wheels, fork and an ALU frame for R20k vs not as good components, wheels, fork and a Carbon frame?

Better components on an ally frame.

[GrantK24]

Thanks guys, I'm going to do some shopping around on the wkend and have a look at options... Hopefully I can pick up an 'old' 2013 model on the cheap

[DJ84]

I agree with the Aluminium frame and great components.

unless you are buying a good carbon (Trek is my bike of choice - because that's what lance rides/rode ) it isn't really worth it in my opinion but everyone is different.

 

Best advise is buy the bike that draws you to it with the best feel.

This will make you want to ride it more(the only thing that will actually make you faster).