Cutting up expensive Carbon Bikes ... Carbon Frames vs Alu Frames ?

[PietSw]

I recently came across this guys youtube account. He tests and destroys Carbon...everything. It was quite interesting to see the frames he cut in half and especially the "defects" in HIGH end, Name Brand manufacturers.

 

This made me think... for a someone like me that is not going to win the TdF or the 94.7 for that matter.. Is it really worth it to pay SOOO much for a carbon frame when you can sometimes get an Alu frame, which is lighter and with better components, for a cheaper price? If the Name Brand boys really does not take THAT much care in the finishing, as shown here, and one needs to possibly get repairs done to em with every nick and bump, does it make sense unless you have too much money orbhas a sponsor?

 

Cutting up expensive Carbon Bikes -

 

Which is Chinese and which is Name Brand -

[Skinnyone]

But, But spending R150k+ on a bike with ALL the bells and whistles WILL make you faster....how do you not know this....

 

My argument is this; if you park an alloy bike and a carbon bike next to each other which one will go faster? - the one with a stronger/fitter rider on top of it...

 

Here watch this one...

 

Real world answer is in reality very few people NEED carbon but everyone WANTS carbon...don't get me wrong a carbon bike is nice to have, but as in the above video its not necessary.

[NotSoBigBen]

A Chery QQ will also get everyone to work ..... (well most of the time)

[Myth]

wow, scary.  Thanks for sharing.

[Mongoose!]

Interesting.

[EmptyB]

Aluminium with better components thanks! Unless money was no object...

[Odinson]

The truth is that for the large part, your performance on a bike isn't linked to its value, i.e. you're not going to be 50% faster on a bike that is 50% more expensive than your current bike.

 

Someone riding a Makro special will probably see significant gains when riding something like  Spez Epic, but the performance gains between a R40k Spez Epic and a R120k Epic is almost negligible.

[IH8MUD]

But, But spending R150k+ on a bike with ALL the bells and whistles WILL make you faster....how do you not know this....

 

My argument is this; if you park an alloy bike and a carbon bike next to each other which one will go faster? - the one with a stronger/fitter rider on top of it...

 

 

Real world answer is in reality very few people NEED carbon but everyone WANTS carbon...don't get me wrong a carbon bike is nice to have, but as in the above video its not necessary.

 

I am happy with some 2nd hand steel and one gear.   

[PietSw]

So for example, when I said you can get an Alu frame that is lighter...I was looking at a few options for myself and was specifically looking atvthe Trek Emonda S5... At R30k its full carbon with 105's and weigh 8.87kg https://goo.gl/1gNriN .Then we have the Emonda ALR 5 which is Alu at R25k also with 105's and weigh slightly less at 8.41kg..(And its Red :-) ) https://goo.gl/xSVVMb .

 

So yeah .. the faster one is the one with the fitter rider on top I agree..400grams is one Big Mac burger...

 

But im getting all the more scared of Carbon.. this story just emerged..

 

http://cycling.today/more-stories-about-potentially-deadly-carbon-bikes-emerge-after-stanton-case/

 

That is what I like about independant tester like the Guy in the videos. He takes no sides.

[PietSw]

The truth is that for the large part, your performance on a bike isn't linked to its value, i.e. you're not going to be 50% faster on a bike that is 50% more expensive than your current bike.

 

Someone riding a Makro special will probably see significant gains when riding something like Spez Epic, but the performance gains between a R40k Spez Epic and a R120k Epic is almost negligible.

Yeah Good point.. I suppose that what is considdered Mid Range(ish) by the industry is actually top range enough for us Normal Humans..

[Sarge]

Morning,

It does not matter what it is made of....as long it is red.

Sarge

[LOOK695]

Have had no problems using chinese carbon clinchers. Will continue using them

[coppi]

I also agree that an aluminium frame with good components is negligible in weight difference to carbon and you won't go any faster, rather loose the extra weight yourself  .

I prefer aluminium on a MTB frame as I feel it won't "snap" under impact like a carbon frame could...........

[Skinnyone]

Yeah, at least with a "bigger name" brand you would have some recourse if a failure does happen....Chinese unbranded stuff - although it can be very good, it can also be very bad - it's been discussed to death already so won't go down that road. 

 

This is why the UCI min weight limit came into play because of all these failures in the mid 90's with carbon. One thing to remember about carbon is like the guy says in the video, it does not like to change direction as it looses a lot of it properties when you bend it around a corner...

[DoubleDee]

I know this thread is about carbon vs aluminium, but there is not much mention of steel, it is making a comeback, aluminium is too rigid, steel is a lot more compliant and a lot more comfortable! Many smaller manufacturer's are making awesome stell frames for road and mountain!

[PietSw]

Morning,

It does not matter what it is made of....as long it is red.

Sarge

I agree, coz everyone knows Red things go faster!!