carbon or aluminum frame???
46
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524 days
Ozzie0523 posted 1 year ago.
I own a aluminum frame that I have been riding for about a year and a half now. I have had no problems with it and it has proved to be worth far more than the money I paid for it. However that being said, I recently road the Trek Madone 5.2 with the new OCLV Black Carbon and I also rode the Scott CR1. When riding both of these bikes, I noticed a few things. First, the road chatter was noticeably less and the carbon definitely lives up to its vibration dampening characteristics. Second, when sprinting and climbing, all of my power felt as if it was going straight to the road and nothing was lost in translation through the frame...with the aluminum frame, I can, after having ridden it for some time, feel a few certain points where my power isn't used 100% efficiently. Third, it was extremely light!
I think both these models mentioned, the Trek Madone 5.2 and the Scott CR1, (road bikes of course) are very good models at reasonable prices (for carbon bikes with good components). With TT/Triathlon Bikes, I've heard great things about the Trek TTX 9 - 9.9, Scott Plasma (sort of crazy seat angle/aero position), and most of QR line. Good luck, wish I could be purchasing a new carbon bike...
126
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614 days
Sandman posted 1 year ago.
It really depends the type of rider you are and the type of riding you intend to do. For instance, if you want to do short sprint type racing Aluminum works well....Stiff,less forgiving. It will beat you up for long rides.
If you want to ride long...Ironman and half Ironman you can't beat the comfort of carbon. The ride is so smooooth...Ahh
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822 days
ironmanallday posted 1 year ago.
Thanks sandman, & ozzie0523 :cool: I think I'm going to go with the QR Caliente (carbon) it has all the bells and wistles I'm looking for.:) It's what I was leaning towards, I just wanted to hear some others opinions.
558
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1395 days
vanjames posted 1 year ago.
Take a look at the Cervelos (P2C and P3c) - give yourself some options.
287
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1442 days
Great Greyhound posted 1 year ago.
I went with the GURU RaceLite, has an Aluminum Frame, and Carbon Chain and Seat Stays. The Carbon rear end dampens the vibration transfered to the seat, and the Aluminum main body means it's really stiff for us big guys!
Darrell "Legs 'n Lungs" Lenkner
in West Chester, Oh.
Check here for Images of us.
736
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896 days
Red5 posted 1 year ago.
Real men ride TITANIUM! ;)
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
126
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614 days
Sandman posted 1 year ago.
Red5;75749 wrote:
Real men ride TITANIUM! ;)
Red you sound like my buddy MarkyV last year. This year he rides a Carbon P3.
BTW how's the Kona prep coming? It's hot here in Tulsa....Boy it must be really hot in AZ.
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822 days
ironmanallday posted 1 year ago.
Hey Red, I would have to say that real men must have a bigger wallet than mine :rolleyes:
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1368 days
Anton posted 1 year ago.
Red5;75749 wrote:
Real men ride TITANIUM! ;)
REAL men ride steel!
I've ridden everything except bamboo.
I ride Aluminum. I'd prefer steel and am looking into it now with Salsa and Independant Fabrications are making 3 lb. frames...awesome snap and acceleration,superb handling and a great ride... You have to have really ridden steel to know what I mean.
Carbon Fiber...it's a nice ride...but too cushy for me, and I'm not rich enough to replace it when I break it...and I will.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
4496
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1644 days
kylie posted 1 year ago.
When the replacing carbon idea comes up... yeah, it gets expensive. We just got a new frame to replace the one Mike was on when hit by a car. Although at first it didn't look too bad, you can put your finger between some of the carbon layers on the top tube! Non-ideal... plus, apparently carbon won't always be visibly damaged but can still be structurally unsound.
I still love my carbon bike though :)
736
Member
896 days
Red5 posted 1 year ago.
Sandman;75752 wrote:
Red you sound like my buddy MarkyV last year. This year he rides a Carbon P3.BTW how's the Kona prep coming? It's hot here in Tulsa....Boy it must be really hot in AZ.
Hot and humid, which is very rare but welcome. More tropical. Training has been going great. I feel good, my bike is VERY strong, swim looks good, run.....run has had issues due to the heat as I have lost a bit of turnover to keep my HR down. Running early now is helping a lot and I am getting to the track.
Back on topic, I had a carbon Kestrel and loved the ride, but man, my Litespeed Saber is a freakin' weapon. I would have gone sub 5 at IMAZ on her if I hadn;t gotten a flat, and that was a WINDY bike day.
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
I am looking at buying a new bike I just need to find out some more info on the best frame type before I make up my mind. Any help would be surely welcome...:D