Mixed Materials Frames

BrodieBiker

Hello:

I am looking at purchasing a new road frame and was wondering if anyone had any experience with bikes frames that use a mix of materials in their construction? For example, a steel or aluminum frame with a carbon rear triangle? Is one type of frame is better than another? Are there any reliability problems (short-term or long-term) with a mixed materials frame? Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

redddraggon

IMO a carbon rear end is generally a Gimmick

The-Dude

I suppose it depends on where the mix is. My bike is alloy frame and carbon forks so i can't imagine that being a problem because they are 2 seperate parts. No idea when it comes to the actual frame being mixed though. If it's done to keep the weight down then depending on what you're using the bike for it might be a good thing.

System_1

I love my Kinesis with a carbon back end. It's stiff and comfortable. Whether the carbon makes a difference to the comfort I can't say, but it is more comfortable than my all alu machine, but that could simply be down to geometry etc. I guess unless you try the exact same bike built with and without a carbon rear end it will be difficult to know for sure if the carbon makes any difference in anything other than weight saving.

I can't see many downsides to a carbon rear end though, so if you like the look of it and it fits, why not? I wouldn't imagine the likes of Cannondale and Giant would still be developing carbon/alu mix frames at a time when they seem to have gone out of fashion if there wasn't some kind of benefit.

Wappygixer

Carbon is supposedly more comfortable to ride than alloy. Back in the early days of alloy frames many people used to complain of back ache due to the very stiff nature of an alloy frame.Full rear end is supposed to be better than seat stays alone.

The bonded joints are probably the strongest part of the bike.I've got a 1990 Raleigh Dyna Tech Encounter which has all bonded tubes and its still going strong.
Got to agree with System though the Kinesis frames are very comfy

Captain Fagor

redddraggon wrote:

IMO a carbon rear end is generally a Gimmick

I bet that's exactly what Ernesto Colnago thought when he created the CT-1 and CT-2. :roll:

dbb

a few years ago i had a warranty frame replacement for a frame with a lifetime warranty. (Avanti from NZ for what it is worth)

i replaced an all aluminum frame with one that has Columbus carve carbon chain stays on an alu frame. i built the old bike (9 speed ultegra - to give you a sense of the quality of bike) across to the new frame. i also had to replace the seat post, so i opted for a specialized pave carbon post to replace the alu one.

the change in ride was really noticeable - the harsh road buzz and jarring had gone and i understood what people meant by the damping characteristics of carbon. I'm still riding this frame five years later and i have considered replacing it - but i like it too much. i have ridden briefly a full carbon bike and i didn't notice enough of a difference to want to change.

i now want to test ride a ti bike - and i would consider carbon chain stays.

GavH

Can't say about the frame, but I recently replaced my alu seatpost AND all metal forks for a CF seatpost and a CF/Alu fork and really noticed the reduced roadbuzz. When the better weather comes I will DEFINATELY be buying all Carbon for the new bike.

BrodieBiker

Thanks to everyone who has replied, I really appreciate hearing all you have to offer.

Ciao

redddraggon

GavH wrote:

When the better weather comes I will DEFINATELY be buying all Carbon for the new bike.

Make sure you buy the right carbon bike then, because carbon DOES NOT equal comfort. They can be really comfortable or really harsh.

Smokin Joe

I've ridden steel, aluminium, and aluminium/carbon. I've had steel forks, alu forks and carbon forks. And the same with seatposts.

I have never experienced "Road buzz", in fact I don't even know what it is. Am I an insensitive clod, or have I just cracked the art of getting my positioning right?

Monty Dog

Captain Fagor wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

IMO a carbon rear end is generally a Gimmick

I bet that's exactly what Ernesto Colnago thought when he created the CT-1 and CT-2. :roll:

I've got a Colnago CT1 and it is the best combination of handling, stiffness and comfort I've ridden. The story goes that the original was built for Michele Bartoli who asked for something to ease his back troubles. Mines been ridden over the cobbles of Flanders and Roubaix numerous times as well as countless races and sportives. I have other carbon, titanium, steel and alloy frames, but this is easily the best.

redddraggon

Captain Fagor wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

IMO a carbon rear end is generally a Gimmick

I bet that's exactly what Ernesto Colnago thought when he created the CT-1 and CT-2. :roll:

I did use the word "generally", some frames are well thought out, and some have a carbon rear end because "it sounds cool" and can charge more/sell more.

rapid_uphill

i had a kineses with a carbon rear triangle and im sure the crank was slightly out of line with the cassette, i wouldnt go down that road again.

Smokin Joe

rapid_uphill wrote:

i had a kineses with a carbon rear triangle and im sure the crank was slightly out of line with the cassette, i wouldnt go down that road again.

I once had a steel Raleigh where the rear brake bridge was mis-aligned and the caliper had to be packed with half a washer to sit properly.

That's bad workmanship, not a material fault.

Captain Fagor

Monty Dog wrote:

I've got a Colnago CT1 and it is the best combination of handling, stiffness and comfort I've ridden. The story goes that the original was built for Michele Bartoli who asked for something to ease his back troubles. Mines been ridden over the cobbles of Flanders and Roubaix numerous times as well as countless races and sportives. I have other carbon, titanium, steel and alloy frames, but this is easily the best.

I came very close to buying a CT-2 maybe eighteen months ago. I kind of regret not buying it as it was a rarity, being new and unused. A while later (with the Colnago fetish not dissipating) I bought a new 57cm C-50 in the RB06 colour scheme.

Out of interest, Monty, do you subscribe to the view that you should select your Colnago based on a top tube length ~1cm shorter than your normal dimension, with an increased layback seatpost?