Carbon v Alu pros and cons

[sawystertrance]

Morning hubbers,

 

I can't seem to find a thread answering this question so I will post it here. A mate of mine is considering buying a dual susser and is trying to decide between carbon and aluminium. 

 

Obviously weight is the most apparent advantage but how does this affect the riding of a fit weekend warrior? Does it help only on climbs? And what are the other pros and cons?

 

I would like to hear from hubbers who have perhaps had experience of both carbon and alu frames.

 

Cheers.

 

 

[nazmo]

Weight difference is negligable. few hundred grams, both road and MTB.

 

I cant talk for MTB, but on my road bike, I did 7000kms on an entry level alu bike, was always great, until I got a carbon frame. yes the weight dropped by 400 grams, but more than that it was way more comfortable, especially on long rides. soaked up much more bumps.

 

As for MTB, I would imagine that if you have dual suspension, that shock mitigation you get on a road bike with carbon would be less important on an mtb.

 

One factor I did not mention, is that with carbon, they can shape frames and strengthen specific areas for better shock absorption, power transfer, stability as apposed to alu.  All this comes at a cost of course.

['Dale]

Carbon has a weight advantage

And has a level of flex that can boost comfort and reliability

 

Aluminium will last a long time

Rigid though

 

Some bergfietse has a alu rear triangle with the carbon frame - best of both worlds maybe

[Rider3000]

for me it was what i wanted "to be seen on".... have both for years and for me thats the only real difference! 

[NotSoBigBen]

Was thinking yesterday looking at all the new 'Christmas' bikes at the Fast One how neat and tidy the new carbon bikes look with mostly 'concealed' cabling etc.

 

Is that possible on alu frames?

[sawystertrance]

Thanks for the comments so far. Yes, I see I forgot to mention that it is a MTB he is looking at, not road. Sorry.

[sawystertrance]

Was thinking yesterday looking at all the new 'Christmas' bikes at the Fast One how neat and tidy the new carbon bikes look with mostly 'concealed' cabling etc.

 

Is that possible on alu frames?

Yes, The new Giants with alu frames have internal cable routing. Perhaps there are others. Still see the welds of course so the joints can't compare to the smooth carbon.

[T-man]

I stand to be corrected. But carbon is more stiff than alu, so better handling. The vibration also feels less on a carbon frame...

[Dirkitech]

Carbon has a weight advantage

And has a level of flex that can boost comfort and reliability

 

Aluminium will last a long time

Rigid though

 

Some bergfietse has a alu rear triangle with the carbon frame - best of both worlds maybe

pretty much this.

 

i have a dual sus carbon with an aluminium rear triangle. I can hear the carbon frame flex on hard bumps (which i can only assume is force dissipated through the frame as opposed to only into my body) and meanwhile the rear alu triangle is rigid and strong, so no worries about an unsuspected crack breaking or whatever.

 

Honestly, I havent ridden a new dual sus alu frame bike, but I can vouch for the flex in carbon frames and I won't be surprised that the carbon frame has a significant impact on energy loss through impacts 

[sawystertrance]

Dirkitect,

How about performance? Does the carbon climb better than alu?

[nazmo]

Climbing could only be improved if the carbon frame allows for stiffer bottom bracket and power transfer, using every ounce of power you put through. Weight would only be a small factor here, the equivalent of a full bottle vs half a bottle of water.

 

Choosing the right geometry and setup is more important in this regard

[rouxtjie]

Carbon = Light, stiff, sexy, can be formed into any shape, some compliance but fails catastrophically and isnt cheap 

Alu = Light enough, stiff enough, cheap, can be molded into crazy tube shapes but not sexy, unforgiving ito compliance and cannot be repaired easily

Steel = Strong, retro, very compliant, can be repaired if needs be but not cheap, is heavy and cannot be formed into special tubes.

Ti = Light, compliant, strong but not cheap and needs special skills ito welding and tubes can't be formed into any form.

 

Pick your poison

[Barker]

I recently went from an alloy road bike to carbon. Carbon obviously is lighter and looks cooler...all kinds of funky frames. 

 

I found the carbon frame stiffer, more responsive, more comfortable seating position to ride on but less forgiving when on a bad surfaced road. 

 

I would like to hear more about the maintenance of carbon frames. From the videos i watched it appears as if there is a maintenance cost with carbon. Apparently carbon de laminates when it is open (paint came off) and it gets exposed to water. - Obvisouly this doesnt happen instantly but happens over time.

 

If one is to do proper mtn biking i would suspect that scratches and chips will be a common thing. On alloy you will get scratches and thats just a scratched bike but what about carbon?

 

I wonder what the lifetime of a carbon frame is compared to alloy.

[Generaal Gert]

Broke my Giant Anthem x1 Alu frame over the weekend, also now considering a carbon frame... will be following this.

[nazmo]

The change from alu to carbon on my road bike was a revelation. Super responsive and smooth at the same time.

 

 I got a Giant XTC hard tail recently (used), went carbon as there's no rear shock, so need every shock absorption  I could get.  

 

Unfortunately I dont have a base of comparison as to how it compares to alu version, got it used and its great.

[sawystertrance]

Broke my Giant Anthem x1 Alu frame over the weekend, also now considering a carbon frame... will be following this.

Gert, Giant frames are guaranteed for life - as long as you are the original purchaser. Just take it back to your supplier.