Carbon\Alloy frame

witneyreds

I'm looking at getting a new stumpjumper fsr and not sure if to get a Alloy frame or go for a Carbon?
The bike shop I go to regularly recommend going for an alloy frame over the carbon. I just want to know what other people think?

Cheers!!

Kiwi Kranker

Carbon has come a long way so unless you are planning on laying your bike down on rocks often then carbon all the way IMO. Even if you do break it spesh will replace it anyway!

Mind you if you are paying £500 more just for the frame and the same spec go with the allloy!

Happy hunting.

RealMan

Carbon is lighter, but more fragile then aluminium.

Carbon is also meant to have some vibration damping qualities, and is very stiff.


So apart from the price, carbon is easily the best material, right up until the point when it breaks. If you want the bike to be light, stiff, and fast, get carbon. If you want the bike to last for years, and never have to worry about your frame falling to pieces, get aluminium.

witneyreds

Thanks for the advice Guys!!
I'm looking at keeping the bike for 2-3 years and wasn't sure the carbon would last. I was just worried I would regret my decision.

supersonic

I would be suprised if the carbon didn't last that long.

What warranties are given?

Kiwi Kranker

supersonic wrote:

I would be suprised if the carbon didn't last that long.

What warranties are given?

It was lifetime with spesh but I think that has been revised to 5 years now.

I have had my carbon Ransom 2 years now and it is still mint and I have dropped it more than it deserves. The spesh will easily last 2-3 years.

saltyman

carbon all the way!

ride_whenever

IIRC the ransoms have 200-300g of reinforcing carbon!


However, carbon in much more resiliant to impact than aluminium, if someone could post the video of the cannondale frame being attacked with a hammer that'd be great!

However sharp edge impacts will effect carbon more.

supersonic

The rubber Taurine frame! Did you see when they put it in the vice?!

saltyman

yeah, i had a crash on a cannondale once, and the frame ended up wrote off.........simply folded and split.......always thought they would be stronger.

modern carbon is mega strong, especially from a brand like specialized.

i didnt buy my bike for the bling factor, more the fact its mega light, strong and stiff.

RealMan

I have seen the specialized s-works stumpy thrown down about 5 switchbacks in the Alps, before getting caught by a tree. Probably fell about 10-20 meters in all. No damage.

saltyman

RealMan wrote:

I have seen the specialized s-works stumpy thrown down about 5 switchbacks in the Alps, before getting caught by a tree. Probably fell about 10-20 meters in all. No damage.

yeah, they are really tough. never pranged mine yet, touch wood, but i was worried and had to read up before i bought one.

im usually 17st so didnt want a bike that would snap when going 40 mph down a steep offroad track!

supersonic

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... ine+hammer

SDK2007

Carbon Enduro SL here, used for DH runs and hard Trail Center riding and its bullet poof reliability.

Specialized still offer a lifetime warranty on frames : http://cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/pdf ... nty_r1.pdf

SPIRO

Carbon vote here

My old steed was a carbon bianchi xc bike which i am still running after 3 years faithful service

Current steed is Carbon frame spesh enduro

The current ride has survived 6 months of my clumsy, 16 stone, non cat-like, riding skills without so-much as a creak.

Carbon frames a few years ago were still that little bit fragile - however the tech has moved on somewhat. Certainly if i compare my 2006 carbon hardtails frame with the enduro, the enduros is significantly thicker, stronger and stiffer.

As such the spesh has been down aston hill DH on more than 1 occasion and its had no probs whatsoever (on the other hand i have - honest the tree jumped in front of me :shock: ).

Just my 0.02p, I'm not an expert by any stretch, but have been more than happy owning 2 carbon bikes. Hope this helps.

RealMan

Well if no one else is going to ask..

saltyman wrote:

im usually 17st

Usually? How often does it change??

supersonic

I usually lose 2lbs about 5 mins after waking up.