Upgrading from Alu to Carbon

[Harry Potter]

How can you make that statement if you haven't been riding a carbon frame for a few months (assuming you currently riding an alu frame and getting your carbon upgrade in December)... just a question?

I had a carbon bike (Raleigh team with 105), but sold it, but my brother in-law helped me with bike again, but it is Alu, so I'm getting my new frame in Dec, I will get my wheels in April. That is way I can make that statement

[MariusL]

I had a carbon bike (Raleigh team with 105), but sold it, but my brother in-law helped me with bike again, but it is Alu, so I'm getting my new frame in Dec, I will get my wheels in April. That is way I can make that statement

 

cool beans...

[stratus5]

I have gone from a 9kg+ Raleigh RC6000A to a ~7kg Cervelo Soloist. Same wheelset (dura-ace C50) used on both bikes. The difference is HUGE. I thought after all similar threads that I would not notice much difference, but I was more than pleasantly surprised.

 

Not much difference downhill... lighter may be slower

On the flats ... smooth road constant speed, no difference, but the moment the road gets bumpy or in the peleton where the speed fluctuates with small accelerations required, different ballgame. Much easier on the lighter carbon bike.

 

The biggest difference is uphill. Its not all in the head because I normally get destroyed uphill and know who gives me the most pain in the PPA races from a few years of intermittent racing. Suddenly I am able to stay in contact with people who normally disappear up the steeper inclines. The improvement is way out of proportion to the 2 kg weight difference.

 

I know from having weighed 2 kg less that I did not seem much better up the hills, but 2 kg off the bike makes a big difference. The first thing you notice is that you get used to the speed at which your bike rocks from side to side as you climb. A heavier bike has definite momentum as you rock it, the lighter bike seems at first not to want to rock, or rather rock very fast .... which requires a higher cadence from the rider.

 

The bike does seem to want to shoot out from under you at first, got to be careful not to fall off the back of the saddle

 

One of the Tour de France winners of old used to take his bottles out of their cages on his bike uphill. He felt the bike was just faster that way, even though he understood that he still had to haul the same weight uphill.

 

I agree is not logical looking at the bicycle/rider system as a whole, but ride a 10 kg bike and then swap to 7kg and the difference will blow you away.

[mtbvip]

I went from a 12kg alu mtb to a 9.8kg carbon mtb - BIG difference! Not only has my time and position improved significantly(now racing with guys who previously comfortably beat me, but also ride quality. Personaly I think a good quality carbon bike with decent wheels and shock is worth every penny.