difference between carbon and alu finishing kit
ianbar
Posts: 1,354
thinking of changing my handle bars and stem, as part of a refresh for my bike. i was thinking i would go for some nice 3t carbon parts but is the extra cost really worth it?
enigma esprit
cannondale caad8 tiagra 2012
cannondale caad8 tiagra 2012
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Depends what your value-for-money objectives are. If they are purely aesthetic and you happen to like the idea of carbon bar/stem, then it might be worth it. From all other aspects, it probably isn't.0
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The properties are (obviously) very similar (the same) as they are for frames - carbon is lighter and less harsh but it's clearly more expensive and potentially more prone to damage.ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH0
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From my experience , carbon handlebars are for arseholes while aluminium bars are for normal people0
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Unless money is no object, I'd recommend against it to be honest.
Is comfort an issue on the bike? Carbon parts will make it better but it's not that dramatic of an improvement and there are other ways to address comfort (such as experimenting with tyre pressures, better shorts & gloves). Otherwise there's not much to be gained other than the flashy look and a few grams; you can add this up yourself depending on what you're actually going to buy but I'd be surprised if it's >200g total saving for stem, bars & seatpost.
The major downside (and especially if you do your own spannering) is that they are prone to cracking from overtightening, misuse and crashes. If you buy a set of £200 bars are you going to be happy to replace them if you bugger up the install, drop your bike or have a minor crash? Furthermore, the bar tape can often hide dangerous cracks until it's too late. You don't have to browse these forums long to find plenty of similar experiences.
For me, the negatives definitely outweigh the positives, but then again if money was no object, I probably would.0 -
Bars are consumables. If you come off - best replace them. Carbon is no lighter - so no reason to use it really.
As for stems - just choose a pretty one.0 -
From my experience , carbon handlebars are for arseholes while aluminium bars are for normal people
WTF did you come from?0 -
Bars are consumables. If you come off - best replace them. Carbon is no lighter - so no reason to use it really.
As for stems - just choose a pretty one.
Hmmm - I'm not sure I buy any of this. Why would you change your bars just when you come off with (seemingly) no reference to the type of off? And, whilst I accept that the weight differences are marginal, carbon is the lighter material. If the bars aren't lighter than their aluminium equivalents then they haven't been designed right.
If you're a monkey with a spanner, carbon anything is best avoided. I think what frightens people about carbon is that it seemingly fails catastrophically whereas metals bend and crush first. It just seems worse.ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH0 -
From my experience , carbon handlebars are for arseholes while aluminium bars are for normal people
WTF did you come from?
Just my two cents. take it or leave it0 -
From my experience , carbon handlebars are for arseholes while aluminium bars are for normal people
WTF did you come from?
Just my two cents. take it or leave it
I have to agree. I have carbon bars on one of my bikes OEM . and I find when I ride it I want to jump red lights, spit at pedestrians and give tramps a good kicking.
By contrast if I am on my other bike with ally bars, I tend to want to cuddle puppies and help old ladies across the road on my commute to the Salvation Army soup Kitchen.0 -
From my experience , carbon handlebars are for arseholes while aluminium bars are for normal people
WTF did you come from?
Just my two cents. take it or leave it
I have to agree. I have carbon bars on one of my bikes OEM . and I find when I ride it I want to jump red lights, spit at pedestrians and give tramps a good kicking.
By contrast if I am on my other bike with ally bars, I tend to want to cuddle puppies and help old ladies across the road on my commute to the Salvation Army soup Kitchen.
Glad there is someone on my wavelength0 -
thinking of changing my handle bars and stem, as part of a refresh for my bike. i was thinking i would go for some nice 3t carbon parts but is the extra cost really worth it?
CRC have a very nice 3T Carbon stem reduced from £250 to £105 with the current £15 off discount.
I know they are nice because I ordered one (Lighter than my carbon Ritchey I reckon) to see what it was like, but have now realised I don't really have a deserving use for it, so will be sending it back.Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 180 -
Also worth noting that one of the lightest stems you can buy, the Kalloy Uno 7 (110g at 100m) is a mere 16 quid, so perhaps it's worth looking at that before the stupidly expensive, and often heavier, carbon options.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KALLOY-UNO-AL-7050-Ultra-Light-Weight-Stem-31-8-7-Degree-Black-/281396386681?var=&hash=item4184881b790 -
Also worth noting that one of the lightest stems you can buy, the Kalloy Uno 7 (110g at 100m) is a mere 16 quid, so perhaps it's worth looking at that before the stupidly expensive, and often heavier, carbon options.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KALLOY-UNO-AL-7050-Ultra-Light-Weight-Stem-31-8-7-Degree-Black-/281396386681?var=&hash=item4184881b79
I sold my Enve carbon stem and replaced it for one of these. Hardly noticed any difference in terms of stiffness. Great stem for the money. Switch the steel bolts to titanium to make it even lighter. The graphics look abit sh*t but they can be removed with acetone or covered with electrical tape.0 -
Carbon stems are largely a waste of money, I find. No stiffer or lighter than good alloy until you get into shocking money. Bars I'm ambivalent about. I'm sure there are advantages in comfort from carbon, but the replacement cost in the event of a crash, and paranoia about cracks under tape put me off.
Whatever it's made of, make sure it matches.0 -
I sold my Enve carbon stem and replaced it for one of these. Hardly noticed any difference in terms of stiffness. Great stem for the money. Switch the steel bolts to titanium to make it even lighter. The graphics look abit sh*t but they can be removed with acetone or covered with electrical tape.
Indeed, a couple of minutes with nail polish remover on mine and the graphics came off no problems. Looks lovely and understated.0
