Cheap carbon??

[T-girl]

I know that there are different grades of carbon, what I am wondering is if the 'cheaper' stuff is worth the extra cash?

 

Is it weaker of something?

 

I am buying my first road bike; I want a great bike that will last me well and that I won't want to upgrade soon. But I also don't want to pay the earth!

 

Should I stick to Aluminium or pay the extra R3k or so to get the carbon?

[Bat-ass]

Are you refering to a carbon frame, or carbon bits and pieces? if you can afford the difference, go for the carbon frame. Not because its light, or stiff... bla bla.. BUT it has a more comfortable ride. the carbon absorbs road vibration.

[T-girl]

I'm referring to a carbon frame! Does all carbon beat aluminium? Even the cheaper carbon?

[Tankman]

you need to be a bit more specific - "stuff" and "frame" can mean a lot of things.

 

"Cheaper carbon" as in R168 per meter cheap or what?

[AndreZA]

What is your level of riding? How much power to you put out? If you are a pleb like the rest of us you will not notice the difference between alu or carbon unless you buy high end carbon and put it on a scale. I changed from a 8 year old high end alu to a cheap carbon and the only place where I can notice difference is the geometry. The rest of the ride is the same. Ride is not smoother, I can not feel the frame being stiffer or any of the other sales talk. Oh and I did save about 200gr.

[Gumpole]

you do get really expensive alu. bikes that will cost more than budget carbon... but you shouldn't be worrieng about wasting this amount of money if you are a beginner.

 

what are you looking at spending?

[wapad]

I'm referring to a carbon frame! Does all carbon beat aluminium? Even the cheaper carbon?

 

 

I bought a Raleigh RC LTD which is full carbon it was fairly new for 5 grand from a guy in george and its great, nice colour scheme and it does the job, with carbon you can feel the responsiveness of the bike and believe me I'm no expert.

 

Point is the Raleigh seems to be good value for a solid reasonable weight bike and its strong, I weigh 100kg and mostly use it for inteval traing to help with the MTB

 

I have a large with full ultegra and richey protocol wheels and it scrape in at under 8 kg

 

So to answer your question Yes you do get cheap carbon thats good and versatile

[Seandmerida96]

Usually there is less weight difference than you think between carbon and alu it is more the components that weigh less. Remember the old adage light, cheap, strong pick any two!!!!

[T-girl]

I'm looking at spending R12.5 or so. Can get a carbon merida (scultura) for R15.5 ... Don't really want to spend the extra but am considering it.

Just starting road riding; currently a mtbier but want to do some road training. Also keen for some tris and hopefully half iron in 2012.

I think I may just stick to alu as the weight diff is minimal and how much more comfortable can it really be?!

[428 others]

If you want to feel the difference, ride with Alu frame over these rumble strips they put before robots / stop signs. Then go over them with a Carbon frame. With Carbon, your energy bar stays in your tummy, with Alu, its back in your mouth.

[MariusL]

If you want to feel the difference, ride with Alu frame over these rumble strips they put before robots / stop signs. Then go over them with a Carbon frame. With Carbon, your energy bar stays in your tummy, with Alu, its back in your mouth.

 

Nope, never experienced that with my CAAD9...

[428 others]

Nope, never experienced that with my CAAD9...

 

 

Yeah, but c'mon, it's a Dale... CAAD9 is probably much better than cheap carbon!

[Cyclejunkies]

Well road bikes generally gets made with 12k carbon and mtb with 3k carbon 3k is stronger but 12k is the norm for road bikes.

[MariusL]

Yeah, but c'mon, it's a Dale... CAAD9 is probably much better than cheap carbon!

 

And cheaper than cheap carbon too... and at 6.8kg, who needs carbon

[Minion]

If you want to feel the difference, ride with Alu frame over these rumble strips they put before robots / stop signs. Then go over them with a Carbon frame. With Carbon, your energy bar stays in your tummy, with Alu, its back in your mouth.

Strange, I get the exact opposite effect. I wonder if the wheels, tyres, tyre pressures, saddle, handle bars, stem, seatpost or frame geometry might have some influence on this?

[Gumpole]

I'm looking at spending R12.5 or so. Can get a carbon merida (scultura) for R15.5 ... Don't really want to spend the extra but am considering it.

Just starting road riding; currently a mtbier but want to do some road training. Also keen for some tris and hopefully half iron in 2012.

I think I may just stick to alu as the weight diff is minimal and how much more comfortable can it really be?!

 

If thats the 904 with 105 components I think it should be around R14k... haggle with your bike shop and shop around.

 

If I was looking for a bike with 15k to spend I would rather get a 'cheaper' carbon like merida, raleigh, silverback, felt... although a 'cheap' alu. frame will leave more money for lighter components.

 

for the cannondale fans: is a CAAD 9 really cheap?

 

on your original post you said 'different grades of carbon' these will not be stronger, but the bike will be stiffer, lighter and MUCH more expensive

Edited November 2, 2010 by Gumpole