Would carbon fiber make a difference to a beginner cyclist?

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Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    [quote="
    Not very good at comprehension are you - I suggest you try harder in your english lessons at school next week.

    So no actual answers then? Is that the best response you can give lol.

    What a TWIT (my spelling is not up to much either :wink: ) :lol::lol::lol:

    Takes one to know one. Don't worry you'll get through puberty soon and discover girls. Best wishes on getting over your issues.

    'Takes one to know one' :shock: Thats only one up from 'I am going to tell my dad' :lol:

    Loving any issues I have........... not as much as the kinky women, straight JD and Hi-Mod/Hi spec bikes though 8)
  • Unsurprisingly after his innocent question generated two pages of mostly unhelpful posts and arguements the poor old OP hasn't been seen on the forum since. Hope he's found somewhere more useful for advice!

    Good job guys :roll:
    http:\\www.thedecliningcyclist.wordpress.com
    One mans battle with mediocrity and his declining physical powers.........
  • Back to the OP question. I might not be a newbie (cycling 5 years) but am a definite novice. My times and speed are pretty consistent and I just went from an alloy bike with carbon forks, to a full carbon with a change in 105 groupset from 10 to 11. It might be related purely to better gearing but my time difference was 90 seconds over an hour ride. Fitting was the same and so to me there is really no difference based on frame.

    I definitely like the ride of the new bike better but it won't win me any races. This was not my pb for the same route but definitely an improvement based on similar effort.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Back to the OP question. I might not be a newbie (cycling 5 years) but am a definite novice. My times and speed are pretty consistent and I just went from an alloy bike with carbon forks, to a full carbon with a change in 105 groupset from 10 to 11. It might be related purely to better gearing but my time difference was 90 seconds over an hour ride. Fitting was the same and so to me there is really no difference based on frame.

    I definitely like the ride of the new bike better but it won't win me any races. This was not my pb for the same route but definitely an improvement based on similar effort.

    This one sounds quite a big 'difference' to me.

    When I buy running shoes, I do not think they are going to win me races, but equally I do not buy wellington boots!

    Speaking of running. I wonder if people on running forums talk about buying £20 trainers from Shoeland because they are 'not a pro' or 'not racing' :roll:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Unsurprisingly after his innocent question generated two pages of mostly unhelpful posts and arguements the poor old OP hasn't been seen on the forum since. Hope he's found somewhere more useful for advice!

    Good job guys :roll:

    The OP has made 7 posts.
    5 of those were starting new threads.
    Of those 5 threads he has only replied on 1.

    Were 3 others of your 27 posts saying 'Good job guys' on the other 3 threads he started, and did not reply too? :roll:
  • Back to the OP question. I might not be a newbie (cycling 5 years) but am a definite novice. My times and speed are pretty consistent and I just went from an alloy bike with carbon forks, to a full carbon with a change in 105 groupset from 10 to 11. It might be related purely to better gearing but my time difference was 90 seconds over an hour ride. Fitting was the same and so to me there is really no difference based on frame.

    I definitely like the ride of the new bike better but it won't win me any races. This was not my pb for the same route but definitely an improvement based on similar effort.

    90 seconds per hour over the same route is a big difference; I think you just had a good run, or the new bike puts you in a significantly better position than the old one.
  • niallmo
    niallmo Posts: 103
    As a new guy I can only offer that the (usually) lower weight of carbon made a difference to me. Done 220 miles overall on my Carrera Vanquish and then acquired a Boardman Road Team Carbon. It seemed easier and smoother on the Carbon which I assume is down to the weight and better components on the Boardman. The segment times are definitely better, sometimes by 20 seconds over half a mile, and that was after covering double the miles to get to the same segment.

    Buy the best you can afford, it seems in bikes that you do get a significant upgrade from shedding weight, including your own!
  • As a new guy I can only offer that the (usually) lower weight of carbon made a difference to me. Done 220 miles overall on my Carrera Vanquish and then acquired a Boardman Road Team Carbon. It seemed easier and smoother on the Carbon which I assume is down to the weight and better components on the Boardman. The segment times are definitely better, sometimes by 20 seconds over half a mile, and that was after covering double the miles to get to the same segment.

    Buy the best you can afford, it seems in bikes that you do get a significant upgrade from shedding weight, including your own!

    The bit in bold is the bottom line. Though it would be nice if a little bit less weight alone could save 20 seconds over half a mile! Nicer bikes are just better to ride, so whoever you are and whatever your ability, you may as well buy the nicest you can. (unless what you want is a bike you can lock up at the station)
  • niallmo
    niallmo Posts: 103
    As a new guy I can only offer that the (usually) lower weight of carbon made a difference to me. Done 220 miles overall on my Carrera Vanquish and then acquired a Boardman Road Team Carbon. It seemed easier and smoother on the Carbon which I assume is down to the weight and better components on the Boardman. The segment times are definitely better, sometimes by 20 seconds over half a mile, and that was after covering double the miles to get to the same segment.

    Buy the best you can afford, it seems in bikes that you do get a significant upgrade from shedding weight, including your own!

    The bit in bold is the bottom line. Though it would be nice if a little bit less weight alone could save 20 seconds over half a mile! Nicer bikes are just better to ride, so whoever you are and whatever your ability, you may as well buy the nicest you can. (unless what you want is a bike you can lock up at the station)

    The Boardman is 3kg lighter than the Carrera. 105 and Tiagra opposed to Claris. I think the weight saved is amplified by better transfer of power too. It's also the psychological difference of thinking the bike is faster. Until you've put a few miles on different bikes it's really hard to tell what's what. I know I'm getting faster over the same segments but it was easier on the lighter bike. So, to me anyway, lighter is better and at my level I can't say that if the Carrera was 3kg lighter I wouldn't have done the same time.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Lighter (if significantly) is always better, from 3 to 93.

    All these naysayers should really be forced to swap their bikes for ones weighing twice as much if weight is not an issue.

    Its the same with everything on here, people draw a line in the sand and then rant at anyone who dares to cross it.
    They would probably defend that line quite vigorously though :roll:
  • As a new guy I can only offer that the (usually) lower weight of carbon made a difference to me. Done 220 miles overall on my Carrera Vanquish and then acquired a Boardman Road Team Carbon. It seemed easier and smoother on the Carbon which I assume is down to the weight and better components on the Boardman. The segment times are definitely better, sometimes by 20 seconds over half a mile, and that was after covering double the miles to get to the same segment.

    Buy the best you can afford, it seems in bikes that you do get a significant upgrade from shedding weight, including your own!

    The bit in bold is the bottom line. Though it would be nice if a little bit less weight alone could save 20 seconds over half a mile! Nicer bikes are just better to ride, so whoever you are and whatever your ability, you may as well buy the nicest you can. (unless what you want is a bike you can lock up at the station)

    The Boardman is 3kg lighter than the Carrera. 105 and Tiagra opposed to Claris. I think the weight saved is amplified by better transfer of power too. It's also the psychological difference of thinking the bike is faster. Until you've put a few miles on different bikes it's really hard to tell what's what. I know I'm getting faster over the same segments but it was easier on the lighter bike. So, to me anyway, lighter is better and at my level I can't say that if the Carrera was 3kg lighter I wouldn't have done the same time.

    It's just a nicer bike! 'Power transfer' on bikes is mostly misunderstood and driven by marketing; and it's not like your old bike is a flexy old gaspipe that creaks and wobbles when going uphill anyway. Enjoy your new bike, Boardman knows his stuff.
  • Unsurprisingly after his innocent question generated two pages of mostly unhelpful posts and arguements the poor old OP hasn't been seen on the forum since. Hope he's found somewhere more useful for advice!

    Good job guys :roll:

    The OP has made 7 posts.
    5 of those were starting new threads.
    Of those 5 threads he has only replied on 1.

    Were 3 others of your 27 posts saying 'Good job guys' on the other 3 threads he started, and did not reply too? :roll:

    Yup oh great carbonated fountain of all knowledge I am a low post count forum lurker. Guilty as charged and I of course humbly beg your all seeing forgiveness :mrgreen:
    I don't post that much on here as I tend to dip in and out to mostly wonder at guys like your good self who can devote eneough time to have written over 3000 mostly argumentative and patronising contributions to a vast range of topics.
    Once again I most humbly beg your forgiveness and promise you won't notice my unworthy presence on your personal soapbox your honourness of multi weave unidirectional carbon filamentness........
    http:\\www.thedecliningcyclist.wordpress.com
    One mans battle with mediocrity and his declining physical powers.........
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Unsurprisingly after his innocent question generated two pages of mostly unhelpful posts and arguements the poor old OP hasn't been seen on the forum since. Hope he's found somewhere more useful for advice!

    Good job guys :roll:

    The OP has made 7 posts.
    5 of those were starting new threads.
    Of those 5 threads he has only replied on 1.

    Were 3 others of your 27 posts saying 'Good job guys' on the other 3 threads he started, and did not reply too? :roll:

    Yup oh great carbonated fountain of all knowledge I am a low post count forum lurker. Guilty as charged and I of course humbly beg your all seeing forgiveness :mrgreen:
    I don't post that much on here as I tend to dip in and out to mostly wonder at guys like your good self who can devote eneough time to have written over 3000 mostly argumentative and patronising contributions to a vast range of topics.
    Once again I most humbly beg your forgiveness and promise you won't notice my unworthy presence on your personal soapbox your honourness of multi weave unidirectional carbon filamentness........

    I don't have a problem with your low post count, just that its a bit odd using one to stick up for the OP.
    Seems you think I should be apologising to you for posting too much!
    Would not be much of a forum for people to lurk (ponce?) on if we all posted once a month though would it.

    Well done on your efforts to avoid commenting on the OP's replying stats by the way :wink:
  • I would say the OP's stats rather back up my original assertation. The poor blokes started several threads looking for advice and the two which have attracted most replies have turned into pointless self serving arguements driven on by a few people who seem to refuse to accept anything other than their own views are correct.
    He's only come back to comment on a couple of the threads and I would think the biggest thing he's learnt is what an opinionated argumentative bunch cyclists are.

    Don't worry I could never envisage any situation which would induce you to apologise to me :D

    It's also not much of a forum if threads turn into personal missions to have the last word in every difference of opinion. Especially on the section of the forum for newer riders to ask advice on.

    I do feel I'm getting more into the spirit of the fourm though by coming back at your last post again. Hope that makes me less of a (pounce?) as you put it so charmingly. I feel i should admit that I do have a triple chainset on my road bike though so don't feel obliged to take me too seriously. :oops:
    http:\\www.thedecliningcyclist.wordpress.com
    One mans battle with mediocrity and his declining physical powers.........
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Hey, I apologise for the 'P' word.
    Truce (waving white flag smiley) ?

    Everyone thinks they are right don't they? Would be no point giving advice that you thought was wrong lol.
    I am more than happy to be proved wrong, and always big enough to admit it :P

    I feel my advice is genuine and I am not forcing my views on anyone, I am trying to help.
    I do feel thats something that the (carbon) haters do though.

    Wife has a high end aluminium bike. It was probably a bit of a mistake, but as someone said earlier, you can always get another bike.
    Her second one will be a fairly/very high end carbon one (yes, she has earned it, and deserves it).
    She would not have got such a good carbon one initially, and she will have a great winter bike, so its worked out v well.

    My main advice is to get a decent first bike. Frame material is personal preference and more of a budget thing, than a beginner thing IMO.

    I have not read much of the OP's other threads but feel the goal of this one is possibly just to feel happier with not buying a carbon bike.