Am I too heavy for carbon?

[Chavez]

I recently started road cycling and in my haste went out and bought the wrong bike/frame (Raleigh RC4000).

 

The bike shop didn't give me the right advice in regards to

a.) the bike and what it's primary purpose is, in this case a TT Tri so no extra cage in the frame for the longer rides - I don't do camelbaks and don't want bottles stuck under my ass

 

b.) the frame is too small for me - 50cm....I've been measured and it should be a 54cm.

 

In hindsight it was all about the sale and less about the perfect fit for the client!

 

Anyways, this brings me to my question; The finance minister has agreed to me purchasing a new/replacement bike and I've been looking at carbon frames. I'm worried that with my 100kg / 1.73cm stature that I might be a little too heavy for the carbon frame.

 

I'm so torn as to whether I should stick to Alu in the hope that it bears my weight better or risk carbon? The aim is to get rid of a good 20kg's over the next few months.

 

I'd appreciate your input.

 

Regards

Jacques

 

Edit: It's not a TT bike but a Tri...my apologies. I'm still getting to grips with all the acronyms

Edited December 17, 2010 by Chavez

[jayz]

I was about 115 when I started riding my carbon MTB. So from my experiance you can. A mtb takes a lot more stress than a road bike. But honestly if you choose the correct Alu frame you will maybe add .5 of a kilo of weight on your bike. Take a bigger DUMP! in the morning and you will even it out.

[Tiny K]

I started at 108Kg's last year so I don't know what you are stressing about. IMO you pay double the price for carbon than you would for alu and like jayz said, it adds so little weight, you might as well go alu. Also, for weight purposes, I would go for alu just because of structural integrity. You get a few alu frames that are super light weight that are almost or are even lighter than carbon.

 

The only time that I would suggest going carbon is if a) your pockets are deep or B) you are racing with the A/B/C/D bunches with PPA. I ride an alu frame so I am biased but I know that my bike can take a crash and still be fine whereas a carbon frame might not be so lucky.

 

p.s. Chat to the guys at Chris Willemse (Tygervalley) or Mark at Cape Town Cycles (Brackenfell). They would best be able to help.

Edited December 17, 2010 by SirK

[BigBeels]

Don't worry about carbon - in my experiance it is much stronger and longer lasting then Alu. It also doesn't degenerate with age, like Alu or steel does. It is lighter and soaks up small vibrations. The downside is that if you hit the deck and the frame does crack, you throw it away - one crack and its stuffed, so make sure it is insured. It just always amazes me how these damn bike shop sell the wrong kit just to make a sale!! Drives me crazy - you should drop the name!! Hope that helps...

 

 

I recently started road cycling and in my haste went out and bought the wrong bike/frame (Raleigh RC4000).

 

The bike shop didn't give me the right advice in regards to

a.) the bike and what it's primary purpose is, in this case a TT so no extra cage in the frame for the longer rides - I don't do camelbaks and don't want bottles stuck under my ass

 

b.) the frame is too small for me - 50cm....I've been measured and it should be a 54cm.

 

In hindsight it was all about the sale and less about the perfect fit for the client!

 

Anyways, this brings me to my question; The finance minister has agreed to me purchasing a new/replacement bike and I've been looking at carbon frames. I'm worried that with my 100kg / 1.73cm stature that I might be a little too heavy for the carbon frame.

 

I'm so torn as to whether I should stick to Alu in the hope that it bears my weight better or risk carbon? The aim is to get rid of a good 20kg's over the next few months.

 

I'd appreciate your input.

 

Regards

Jacques

[scotty]

I used to refer to carbon bikes as kellogs breakfast bikes (snap, crackle, pop) so was a bit apprehensive when i got my specialized with carbon fork, rear triangle and handle bars but in the 4 years i've been on it including t boning a car i've had no issues.

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

I started at 108Kg's last year so I don't know what you are stressing about. IMO you pay double the price for carbon than you would for alu and like jayz said, it adds so little weight, you might as well go alu. Also, for weight purposes, I would go for alu just because of structural integrity. You get a few alu frames that are super light weight that are almost or are even lighter than carbon.

 

The only time that I would suggest going carbon is if a) your pockets are deep or B) you are racing with the A/B/C/D bunches with PPA. I ride an alu frame so I am biased but I know that my bike can take a crash and still be fine whereas a carbon frame might not be so lucky.

 

p.s. Chat to the guys at Chris Willemse (Tygervalley) or Mark at Cape Town Cycles (Brackenfell). They would best be able to help.

 

Here Here to SirK. Why go Carbon when you can get all the same benefits as you get with a Carbon Frame. In a LOT of cases, gettingt eh right Alu frame can work out lighter than a Carbon machine. Also, lets remember this, "its not about the bike", and I can tell you another thing; SirK rides Alu, I ride Carbon and I can guarantee you, Sir K will drop my EVERY SINGLE day of the week!! Its all int he legs and fitness Good luck and do yourself a favour, go to a decent reputable bike shop, the experience will be well worth the extra couple of hundred rand

[Tiny K]

Here Here to SirK. Why go Carbon when you can get all the same benefits as you get with a Carbon Frame. In a LOT of cases, gettingt eh right Alu frame can work out lighter than a Carbon machine. Also, lets remember this, "its not about the bike", and I can tell you another thing; SirK rides Alu, I ride Carbon and I can guarantee you, Sir K will drop my EVERY SINGLE day of the week!! Its all int he legs and fitness Good luck and do yourself a favour, go to a decent reputable bike shop, the experience will be well worth the extra couple of hundred rand

 

Thanks man

[Cheese]

Carbon will be strong enough, remember Formula 1 racing cars are made from Carbon.

it does have a bit less vibrations, but the fit is definetely more important than the weight.

 

I have a carbon and a alu bike and although the carbon accelerate much faster due to lighter wheels I can not really tell you that my performance are largely different on the carbon bike.

Rather do your homework and get the bike set-up correct.

 

Frame size, saddle height , stem length, saddle fore/after position .

[The Saint]

In short NO you are not to heavy.

 

You telling us that the bike shop sold you a TT bike? I can't find anywhere that Raleigh ever made an RC 4000 so maybe you really did get a Chinese knock off.

 

Just remember that Carbon is not necessarily lighter than Alu. Probably the biggest difference between the two is that Carbon offers a stiffer ride as well as is twice the price.

[Chavez]

Thank you for all your input guys!

 

Now to start the shopping....I'm still clueless on what to get in regards to brand I'll probably stick to Alu for now seeing as I'm starting out but try getting a decent group set.

 

You telling us that the bike shop sold you a TT bike? I can't find anywhere that Raleigh ever made an RC 4000 so maybe you really did get a Chinese knock off.

 

Here's a link. I made the correction above, it's in fact a Tri bike. My apologies.

[Chavez]

Thanks to all for the feedback!

 

After a lot of consideration I placed my order yesterday for a Giant 2011 TCR Composite 2 road bike. I was given a really good cash deal.

 

Santa better hurry his chubby ass up to have the bike delivered and built by next Friday

[Genesis]

I dont think you have to worry to much about weight limits, rather more the budget limits.

 

A mate of mine is 6ft8 and 145kg. He has been riding a Carbon Bike for about a year now - no problems.

 

You getting yourself a nice bike.

 

Dont Worry Be Happy

[Dicky DQ]

Sweet Ride, enjoy!!