Carbon always stiffer than Alloy?
Comments
-
-
Sorry reddraggon, but yes.
I haave a 2003 Allez & a new Ribble Sportive. Definitely more flex on the BB area on the Allez, also ride quality & smoothness miles better on the carbon.
One cost me £400, with a later carbon fork upgrade, the other cost £1000 - and it shows.My knees hurt !0 -
NO
Oh yes I forgot it's the chief metallurgist to king Philip of spain speaking.
Dave0 -
-
redddraggon wrote:Takis61 wrote:Sorry reddraggon, but yes.
Obviously you know nothing about materials if you say that.
He asked if CFRP is always stiffer than aluminium alloy, which it isn't.
+1. Many carbon frames will be stiffer than the Allez but there's nothing magic about the material and the geometry and tube design make all the difference.
Matthew0 -
Funny, people used to think the steel vs. alloy division was bad; they had no idea what was yet to come.
Why don't you just ride your bikes and enjoy it? This current "stiffness" obsession is just such a load of bollocks.0 -
My CAAD9 is alloy and feels really stiff, I can't see all carbon frames being stiffer than it, lighter, but not stiffer, maybe a really good one yea.0
-
Takis61 wrote:Sorry reddraggon, but yes.
I haave a 2003 Allez & a new Ribble Sportive. Definitely more flex on the BB area on the Allez, also ride quality & smoothness miles better on the carbon.
One cost me £400, with a later carbon fork upgrade, the other cost £1000 - and it shows.
Bollocks. I bought a Kinesis KiC2 that's much stiffer than the Prorace carbon frame it replaces and it's just as comfortable and lighter too. Carbon fibre isn't some kind of wonder material that automatically makes a better bike.0 -
I see a planet X up close the other day, Got to say, for the money, they appear a great bike and the carbon finish is great!0
-
Aluminium is stiff than carbon, but the stiffness of the bike is not just to do with the material it is made with, but how the bike is built, designed etc.
Manufacturers design their bikes for different jobs. Allez are at the lower end of the range, so Specialized have designed these to be more forgiving. The carbon Tarmac however, is designed for racing, so is much stiffer.0 -
h14turbo wrote:I am interested in getting a carbon frame, but am wondering is a low end-ish carbon frame, i.e. planet x, going to be much stiffer than the frame on my current specialized allez? Cheers
I realize that the big buzz word these days is "stiffness"(in more than a few areas).
Anyway I think that you have to ask yourself if all this "stiffness" talk is just manufacturer
hype or the real deal. I doubt that, like many cycling theories, whether stiffness has been proven to be great, good, OK, or of no particular use. Maybe a bike with some flex is a
good thing(or bad). I don't think much is really known. Obviously you can't have a bike
that's flimsy and the same goes for one that's as solid as a rock. But I rant on. Sorry.0 -
Are you comparing materials or fully constructed frames? One is a valid comparison, the other is far more subjective. Aluminium frames tend to be 'over-built' to compensate for the finite fatigue limit of the aluminium alloy - consequently the thicker tubing can feel very harsh. Some thinner-walled, heat-treated alloys are a bit more resilient. The grade and construction of carbon makes a significant difference too.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
-
I suppose stiffness may be measured in terms of flexural modulus. Aluminium has a flexural modulus of around 10,400,000 psi. Values as high as 8600,000,000 psi. may be achieved with carbon fibres. Just what this has to do with the price of cheese, I'm not sure. I suppose, if you look at the material of choice in the pro world, that may provide some clues. IME my carbon frame is certainly much easier to sit on all day than my Aluminium one. Is it faster or more responsive ?? I couldn't say for sure, but I don't reckon the pros use them because they are comfy... who said that, internet forum people ?0
-
-
Can't wait until Fromageries Bel start a team, should be very entertainingredddraggon wrote:rockmount wrote:the material of choice in the pro world
The material of choice in the Pro world is what ever the sponsor wants the team to have.
Silence-Lotto rode aluminium in the Spring Classics
Skil-Shimano ride Koga alloy bikes
.. who said that, internet forum people ?0 -
Used to ride a Carbon CR1 Pro, very stiff and comfort was ok.
Was given a six-13 for free, now ride that, same comfort and stiffness as the CR1 to be honest, I ride a fair bit and was expecting the difference to be massive but it wasn't :shock:
I must admit the CR1 is a bit lighter though so I do feel the weight when climbing, but then again I am not exactly a light weight myself.
As others have said and will continue to tell you, if carbon turns you on then buy carbon, if you want a comfortable bike that rides well and doesn't flex much in the BB etc, then buy what ever rides best and don't worry about what it's made of. In other words buy what will inspire you to get out and ride!!
That said the PX stuff is basic but does what it says on the tin. I had a PX carbon staelth Tri bike, it rode great, was pretty responsive etc etc, worked for me. I am sure the road bike is a good bike too.Obsessed is a word used by the lazy to describe the dedicated!0
