To upgrade or buy different?

mfereborn

Hi guys, im wondering if i can get some opinions here.

I'm a keen cyclist and aspiring cycle leader under the British Cycling awards which means i do a lot of trail cycling with groups, however as im a student also this means i can only justify one bike for group work and personal cycling.

I ride a trek fuel ex aluminium which i have built from the frame up, running standard suspension (fox rl120 and rp2 shock) the thing is, im scared to use this for anything agressive and jumpy/droppy for obvious reasons. Now i can control myself in this sense but ideally i think a remedy would be the way forward (i couldnt have a bike without ABP now having used it so much!) but unless one comes up cheap (or i get some money) i couldnt afford to buy it or be without my bike to fund it.

I was wondering whether you guys would recommend then, upgrading my current spec to a higher one (im running mostly XT from 2008ish at 28lbs) or whether i should go for the remedy?

Heres the question though, should i go for the aluminium remedy or the carbon if i get the money? because having never ridden carbon im quite scared that if i buy second hand and damage it i wont have a leg to stand on - are they that much more fragile that alu?

Cheers guys!

delcol

if carbon was weaker they would not use it not only to make bikes but f1 cars exotic cars, aeroplanes speed boats ect..
im sure your fuel will be fine at jumps.. just dont go hitting any 10ft drops on it..

look on you tube for taurine vs hammer

mfereborn

You win. So theoretically, a carbon frame is able to withstand more flexing... however compared to aluminium is it more/less likely to suffer breakages?

delcol

any frame will break if subjected to harsh forces (crashing ect) carbon is strong and light and stiffer hence it's use in so many things...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lsDXEEUlRE