Is full carbon frame always better?

dewei
dewei Posts: 172
edited July 2008 in Road beginners
Hi,
I am looking for a racing bike for my commute. Looking round for new and second-hand bikes, the choice is bewildering!
My question is full carbon frame always better than aluminium/carbon fork-rear stays?
How would you choose between similarly priced full carbon with let's say Shimano 105 and al/carbon composite with ultegra?

Thanks

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    A carbon frame is not always better than an alloy frame. Geometry is more important than material choice IMO.
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  • kevin_stephens
    kevin_stephens Posts: 184
    some top quality aluminium frames can be cheaper, lighter and better to ride than some bottom end carbon frames

    My Ridley Compact frame weighs 1.3 kg and is a great ride, some LBS may have them on special offer
    I want to climb hills so badly;
    and I climb hills so badly
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Some carbon frames are just carbon for the sake of being carbon. They offer no advantages over a good alu frame, it is just built to sell as carbon is the must have material. A good quality carbon frame will offer advantages in terms of ride and comfort but will cost more. Many cheap carbon frames are just carbon tubes bonded into lugs with little thought of fibre layup at all.
    My Fleet.
  • andrewc3142
    andrewc3142 Posts: 906
    And top-end steel frames are pretty good as well.
  • Dunston_checks_in
    Dunston_checks_in Posts: 78
    Having just test ridden an Alu Cervelo Solist Team (on Greg66's recommendation) I can confidently state NO!

    Good God. This is the most amazing frame I have ever had the pleasure to bestride. It feels like its got a built in tail wind behind it. And not harsh at all - in fact, very very comfortable indeed. Puts the carbon frames I've tried into the shade.

    This will be my next bike. Defo.
    The user previously known as Sea_Green_Incorruptible.

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  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    Carbon,alloy or steel it doesn't matter. The most important thing is quality. Buy the best frame you can afford and spec it up as best you can. 105 components or equivalent are fine if it means you can spend more on the frame, you can always upgrade as parts wear out.
    Norfolk, who nicked all the hills?

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  • on the road
    on the road Posts: 5,631
    I don't know why you'd want a carbon frame for a commute :?
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    markos1963 wrote:
    Carbon,alloy or steel it doesn't matter..
    And don't forget titanium. Love mine :wink:
  • Dunston_checks_in
    Dunston_checks_in Posts: 78
    edited July 2008
    on the road wrote:
    I don't know why you'd want a carbon frame for a commute :?

    On the other hand... why wouldn't you? If you end up doing 90% of your cycling on your commuting run, why not invest in a cool bike that'll let you enjoy it? Sure, you've got to look after it and keep it clean, but that's no great shakes. Certainly no worse a financial decision than buying a scooter or a cheapo car for the same journey.

    To be honest, I've never quite understood the 'summer bike' thing. I always makes my heart sink a little that you only ever see all those lovely Colnagos and De Rosa's in pristine showroom condition on the 6 sundays a year that we have a sunny day :( . Its a bit like keeping the cellophane wrapping on your sofa in my book.

    PS. cool photos by the way!
    The user previously known as Sea_Green_Incorruptible.

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  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    I *love* commuting on my carbon bike.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
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  • dewei
    dewei Posts: 172
    edited July 2008
    on the road wrote:
    I don't know why you'd want a carbon frame for a commute :?

    Very true.
    I keep dreaming of carbon at night (with all that is written in magazines and forum chats )but thinking about it in the col light of day leads me toward aluminium.
    Just wanted reassurance really :wink: that I am doing the right thing by going for alu rather carbon!
    I am actually thinking of a Ridley alu frame and therefore please to note the positive comment on it, Kevin.
    I would love a titanium bike or Cervelo Soloist Team but these are really out of reach for me now!
  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    doyler78 wrote:
    markos1963 wrote:
    Carbon,alloy or steel it doesn't matter..
    And don't forget titanium. Love mine :wink:

    Sorry forgot all you exotic metal lovers :oops:
    Norfolk, who nicked all the hills?

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/243 ... 8d.jpg?v=0
    http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 076tl5.jpg
    http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3407 ... e001af.jpg
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    doyler78 wrote:
    markos1963 wrote:
    Carbon,alloy or steel it doesn't matter..
    And don't forget titanium. Love mine :wink:

    "Titanium bikes" are made out of Alloy, and so are steel bikes....
    I like bikes...

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  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    Carbon bikes will always be better. Carbon bikes equipped with Shimano are the best you can get.






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