Canyon Ultimate Aluminium vs Carbon

oliwade

Good evening guys!

I recently started cycling competitively, but currently only have a Specialized Allez (bottom of the line) that is.. a little beat up from a few years of bad maintenance and commuting on it every day.

I am looking to purchase a new bike for training and racing (that will be maintained correctly!). I will be mainly taking part in criteriums and the odd road race, maybe a couple of hill climbs also thrown in there.

I was initially sold on the Ultimate AL SLX 9.0 - a great frame, wheels and groupset for a great price. Where I live this bike would set me back £1200, however I then began to consider the Ultimate CF SL 9.0 which has as far as I can tell, the same specification, however it is Carbon. This bike is around £450 more. It has a 200g weight saving over the aluminium version, otherwise I can't see much of a benefit.

Would you recommend purchasing the Carbon version for £450 more if I am primarily competing in criterium races?

Thanks,
Oli

johnnymcg259

Nope! Alu for crit racing as you might deck it the odd time or two?! Whilst that could spell RIP for a carbon frame an aluminium one will generally fair better.
'Don't race what you can't replace' kinda mantra......
Good luck anyhow, J

diamonddog

You wouldn't notice the 200gm difference IME.

pastryboy

That'll be what, 2.5% lighter? Can't see it being worth £450 for that.

oliwade

Thanks for the replies, would anybody be able to see any reason other than the weight saving for using Carbon?

The reason I ask is I see most, if not all of the pro peloton using it - the only team I have noticed that didn't was Madison Genesis, but they use carbon now also.

bomster

Carbon will be comfier.

However, if you mainly will be racing it I would get the aluminium - great bike for the money.

diamonddog

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690846#p19690846]oliwade[/url] wrote:

Thanks for the replies, would anybody be able to see any reason other than the weight saving for using Carbon?

The reason I ask is I see most, if not all of the pro peloton using it - the only team I have noticed that didn't was Madison Genesis, but they use carbon now also.

Pro's ride what they are given not what they choose.

charlie_potatoes

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690927#p19690927]diamonddog[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690846#p19690846]oliwade[/url] wrote:

Thanks for the replies, would anybody be able to see any reason other than the weight saving for using Carbon?

The reason I ask is I see most, if not all of the pro peloton using it - the only team I have noticed that didn't was Madison Genesis, but they use carbon now also.

Pro's ride what they are given not what they choose.

I think it is safe to make the assumption that Katusha and Movistar riders get to choose their Canyon bikes.

t4tomo

If pro's crash and crack a frame, the bike is quickly replaced. If you're happy to do that buy carbon, if you want to up the odds of the frames longevity, go with Alu.

raisinberry777

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19691545#p19691545]Charlie Potatoes[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690927#p19690927]diamonddog[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690846#p19690846]oliwade[/url] wrote:

Thanks for the replies, would anybody be able to see any reason other than the weight saving for using Carbon?

The reason I ask is I see most, if not all of the pro peloton using it - the only team I have noticed that didn't was Madison Genesis, but they use carbon now also.

Pro's ride what they are given not what they choose.

I think it is safe to make the assumption that Katusha and Movistar riders get to choose their Canyon bikes.

But, interestingly enough, the Ultimate AL used to be the Classics bike of choice for Phillipe Gilbert when he was riding for Lotto.

ben@31

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690846#p19690846]oliwade[/url] wrote:

The reason I ask is I see most, if not all of the pro peloton using it - the only team I have noticed that didn't was Madison Genesis, but they use carbon now also.

Its well know ( in all sports) that the pros are not necessarily using the product that sponsors them. They will even go as far as using a different frame and painting it to look like their sponsors frame.

ben@31

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690703#p19690703]johnnymcg259[/url] wrote:

Nope! Alu for crit racing as you might deck it the odd time or two?! Whilst that could spell RIP for a carbon frame an aluminium one will generally fair better.
'Don't race what you can't replace' kinda mantra......
Good luck anyhow, J

If pro's crash and crack a frame, the bike is quickly replaced. If you're happy to do that buy carbon, if you want to up the odds of the frames longevity, go with Alu.

I don't get how you are falling off? You must be trying really hard to throw yourself off, as I've never had a problem staying on a bike.

oliwade

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19691748#p19691748]ben@31[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690703#p19690703]johnnymcg259[/url] wrote:

Nope! Alu for crit racing as you might deck it the odd time or two?! Whilst that could spell RIP for a carbon frame an aluminium one will generally fair better.
'Don't race what you can't replace' kinda mantra......
Good luck anyhow, J

If pro's crash and crack a frame, the bike is quickly replaced. If you're happy to do that buy carbon, if you want to up the odds of the frames longevity, go with Alu.

I don't get how you are falling off? You must be trying really hard to throw yourself off, as I've never had a problem staying on a bike.

I've seen many crashes in criteriums, I myself have also come off. It's very common at these speeds on such short roads.

overlord2

imo a good groupset is more important than the frame in racing.

Gear changes need to be spot on. Then probably a reasonable wheelset. All take priority over the frame.

Bozman

Having hand a few crashes over the years I have to say that carbon has fared better than aluminium, I've had aluminium bend and that's it for the frame but I've yet to have carbon fail on me after several crashes, one being a side impact from a car.

effillo

Does no one insure their bikes? Doesn't matter if you crash and break it in that case.

bomster

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19693119#p19693119]effillo[/url] wrote:

Does no one insure their bikes? Doesn't matter if you crash and break it in that case.

Who do you use/recommend? (Sorry for hijack)

effillo

I use velosure. Pretty reasonable. When I had an off I phoned them to see what the process was to potentially claim, had bike checked by local bike shop and in the end I didn't need to claim but they phoned numerous times to check on whether I wanted to or required any further assistance.

pastryboy

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19693119#p19693119]effillo[/url] wrote:

Does no one insure their bikes? Doesn't matter if you crash and break it in that case.

Policy that covers racing likely to be expensive
Have to pay an excess
Inconvenience of having no bike while you wait for insurance company to validate claim
Having a claim pushes up future premiums

I think those things matter and you're better off not breaking your bike.

johnnymcg259

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19691748#p19691748]ben@31[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690703#p19690703]johnnymcg259[/url] wrote:

Nope! Alu for crit racing as you might deck it the odd time or two?! Whilst that could spell RIP for a carbon frame an aluminium one will generally fair better.
'Don't race what you can't replace' kinda mantra......
Good luck anyhow, J

If pro's crash and crack a frame, the bike is quickly replaced. If you're happy to do that buy carbon, if you want to up the odds of the frames longevity, go with Alu.

I don't get how you are falling off? You must be trying really hard to throw yourself off, as I've never had a problem staying on a bike.

......obviously never raced then?!
Also, ice and general road censored through the UK autumn/winter and ..........whoopsey daisy.......there we go....sliding down the road.

philbar72

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19693996#p19693996]johnnymcg259[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19691748#p19691748]ben@31[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19690703#p19690703]johnnymcg259[/url] wrote:

Nope! Alu for crit racing as you might deck it the odd time or two?! Whilst that could spell RIP for a carbon frame an aluminium one will generally fair better.
'Don't race what you can't replace' kinda mantra......
Good luck anyhow, J

If pro's crash and crack a frame, the bike is quickly replaced. If you're happy to do that buy carbon, if you want to up the odds of the frames longevity, go with Alu.

I don't get how you are falling off? You must be trying really hard to throw yourself off, as I've never had a problem staying on a bike.

depends on your bike handling skills i guess. I've never fallen off but have been ridden into twice by bad bike handlers... not good!


......obviously never raced then?!
Also, ice and general road censored through the UK autumn/winter and ..........whoopsey daisy.......there we go....sliding down the road.