Aluminium v Carbon Frame

elffy
elffy Posts: 98
edited May 2010 in Road beginners
I presently own a Specialised Allez Elite which I've had for nearly 2 years. I am now looking at possibly treating myself to a new bike and I fancy the look of the Pinarello FP2 Carbon 105 Team Sky Replica 2010 bike which is carbon framed. Can anyone tell me if I would notice a difference between my present bike and my proposed bike. I presume with the bike being lighter that the acceleration would be quick but would my average speed increase at all.

Comments

  • bazbadger
    bazbadger Posts: 553
    I went from a spesh allez to a planet X pro sl carbon and noticed quite a big difference.

    The PX is a lot lighter, goes up hills easier, and I notice less 'road buzz'. It also fits me better - meaning it's more comfy on longer rides.

    It is however a lot 'twitchier' and has taken me a long time to get used to it.

    I much prefer it though and I'd imagine you would notice a fair bit of difference - as long as the new bike is the right fit.
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  • weapons
    weapons Posts: 367
    I reckon you'll notice the difference. I ride both a Cannondale CAAD7 Optimo and an Orbea Orca. With the carbon framed Orca, the power transfer seems a lot more direct and acceleration seems a bit snappier. More importantly, the carbon frame soaks up more of the road shock that saps your energy and so I finish long roads a lot fresher and less tired.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    The lack of road buzz was the main thing for me.
  • joestella28
    joestella28 Posts: 165
    If you want to sell the Allez I might be interested, PM me.

    Thanks,

    Joe
  • stokepa31
    stokepa31 Posts: 560
    got an allez elite and a scott cr1. not a huge amount in it time wise over my 20 mile loop but the cr1 is a better climber. the allez is a very good bike and has the carbon rear end and fork and i like it just as much as the scott.

    bottom line, not a massive amount in it and only better legs make you go a lot faster
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  • micken
    micken Posts: 275
    I've just had a frame warranty replacement on a Cannondale Six13 that I've hed for just under 2 years. For those who don't know the Six13 it has a CAAD9 rear triangle and headset. These are joined together with carbon top and bottom tubes. I loved that frame and it suited my riding north of Leeds in the Yorshire Dales.

    The replacement is a C'dale Six Carbon, same geometry, but all carbon. I had the bike out on Saturday for 40+ miles and tonight for 30 miles. Both routes I know well with good ascents and descents. The overall handling is pretty much the same between the two frames for climbing and fast bendy descents. The Six Carbon is a noticeably smoother ride, less road buzz. This is particularly apparent through the handlebars, I've made a point of not wearing gloves on either ride and not experienced any numbness which I would have expected a little on the Six13.

    My overall impression is that the Six Carbon will be less fatiguing on a longer ride, I'm doing a 70+ mile route in a few weeks, so we'll see.

    Whether this is down to design or materials or (more likely) both is open to debate, but the difference is there. All components the same apart from framesets and seatposts so a fair comparison I think.

    I would say that you need to ride whatever bike you're considering buying and give it a fair test on a known route for comparison with your Allez Elite.

    I would just like to say much kudos to Chevin Cycles and Cannondale for prompt and professional attention to this warranty claim.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    I went from an alu Pinarello - to a carbon my findings were:-

    1.A lot lighter and a better climber

    2.Smooth -& comfy

    on the downside - not as stiff as the pinarello [not saying that carbon can't be a stiff - but my pinarello was exceptionally stiff - ]

    as an aside carbon IMO must have some quality tyres - set aside £50 for a set of pro race 3's - or similar
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    I wouldn't have thought carbon frames would be particularly twitchier or better climbers, I would have thought qualities like those would come down to geometry and weight. If you built an aluminium frame with the same geometry and weight I would have thought it would also feel twitchy and responsive. Reduction of road buzz is definitely a carbon quality though
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  • micken
    micken Posts: 275
    kingrollo wrote:
    as an aside carbon IMO must have some quality tyres - set aside £50 for a set of pro race 3's - or similar
    Can you expand on this kingrollo? I'm interested in why you say this particularly for carbon.
    Headhunter wrote:
    Reduction of road buzz is definitely a carbon quality though
    Seems so in my recent experience, prior to getting the Six Carbon I was a big believer in the design and tyres argument rather than that related to the intrinsic properties of the material. I need to get out and ride more on a bigger variety of routes before further thoughts crystalise.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    I wouldn't have thought carbon frames would be particularly twitchier or better climbers, I would have thought qualities like those would come down to geometry and weight. If you built an aluminium frame with the same geometry and weight I would have thought it would also feel twitchy and responsive. Reduction of road buzz is definitely a carbon quality though

    True dat. Plus stiffness when it comes to climbing.
  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    carbon - much better climbing bikes - it has transformed my ability on hills from "quicker to walk" to "crap" :D
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  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    micken wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    as an aside carbon IMO must have some quality tyres - set aside £50 for a set of pro race 3's - or similar
    Can you expand on this kingrollo? I'm interested in why you say this particularly for carbon.
    Headhunter wrote:
    Reduction of road buzz is definitely a carbon quality though
    Seems so in my recent experience, prior to getting the Six Carbon I was a big believer in the design and tyres argument rather than that related to the intrinsic properties of the material. I need to get out and ride more on a bigger variety of routes before further thoughts crystalise.
    The pro 3 race 3's transformed my carbon from a nice comfy steady ride - into something much more lively. Not specific carbon - what I mean't was - if your paying £1k for a bike - spend an extra £50 on some quality tyres - to really get the most out of it.
  • micken
    micken Posts: 275
    @ kingrollo Thanks for that, I've used Hutchinson Fusion 2s all seasons for the last few years with no problems apart from a slight wobbly across a patch of ice. :lol: