How to choose -- any advice welcome!

[Veronica]

Carbon fiber and longevity - not phrases I put together.

Why are you looking at only "race" bikes? Their geometry will be very different from the hybrid you're currently riding.

V.

[Blueberry]

Carbon fiber and longevity - not phrases I put together.

Why are you looking at only "race" bikes? Their geometry will be very different from the hybrid you're currently riding.

V.

Ditto this. I'm in the process of selling bikes that have been "learning experiences." One of the things I have discovered is that I really like steel. I've not had a carbon bike, but I have ridden aluminum, and just wasn't comfortable on long rides because of the harshness of the ride. I would worry about riding a bike that was known to be harsh.

Another thing I have learned is that a racing geometry is not comfortable for me. I'm not happy with handlebars lower than the saddle.

As far as the difference - you're paying for components and frame. What you get with better components is lighter and (to a certain level) more durable. With frames, I would guess you're largely paying for weight once you're comparing carbon bikes.

Good luck and test ride lots!

[Grog]

Please don't discard aluminum so fast... A good AL frame with a carbon fork, perhaps even carbon rear triangle, and while you're at it a decent saddle with titanium rails, will be very comfy as well.

Try bikes.
Try bikes.
Try bikes.

[Blueberry]

I've done all 3: Good Aluminum Frame, Carbon Fork, and Terry Ti Butterfly. Didn't work for me. They must work for someone - there are plenty of them sold. Trying lots is most definitely the way to go!

[Takiana]

Hi all -- Thank you for the quick responses! Sounds like I didn't give enuf info. ;-) I've tried both Specialized and Trek aluminum and honestly, the carbon was a much softer, more comfortable ride -- I did feel the difference. I did not feel as "jarred" by small pavement defects, dips, etc on the carbon fiber as I did even on the Specialized Alum with carbon fiber forks. I'm curious on the question of longevity though -- that definitely interests me. One of the reasons I was leaning to cf was that everything I've read suggests that the aluminum frames tend to begin breaking down and losing comfort relatively quickly where the cf maintains its feel and spring much longer. If you've had different experiences, that I would definitely be interested in hearing!

Again, thanks very much.

[Veronica]

I ride steel, so I'm biased that way. I tested some CF frames when I decided to buy a new bike, but was concerned that the geometries wouldn't suit me over the long haul.

V.

[mimitabby]

I haven't noticed any of the aluminum bikes around me (including my own Raleigh) having any "breakdown" problems...

However, I have friends who have had problems with CARBON components.
A broken handlebar, a broken crank... These things rarely break when
they are aluminum. Bend, maybe.

[Eden]

I love my carbon bike, but if you crash you can ruin carbon- it does not bend, it breaks. Of course you can ruin aluminum too, as once it bends it fatigues- you cannot bend it back or ride it without risking failure, though it is fairly hard to do. I certainly have heard about "wearing out" an aluminum frame *but* we're talking about 180lb guys racing on aluminum frames and putting huge amounts of stress on the frame.

If you are looking for durable and comfortable and money is not a big factor, why not try titanium? Ti frames are often very forgiving, soaking up road noise and bumps and also are very durable. Then there is always steel, some people swear by it for comfort and there are super light steel frames being made these days.

Do be aware that there are other factors than frame material that will affect how comfy a frame is, the geometry, how stiff the frame is, the tire pressure / width all are factors. My steel bike was no better than my alumimum one as far as soaking up bumps went. My ti bike really dampens everything, but another person I know said that the ti bike she raced for one season was so stiff that it transmitted every little bit of the road.

[GLC1968]

If you are looking for comfort and not necessarily speed, you might want to try the Trek Pilot line. They put the rider a little more upright than most road bikes and they come in some nice carbon frame designs. My husband has the 2006 Trek Pilot 5.0 and loves it. He's ridden a number of centuries on it and while he's got old wrist injuries, this bike has kept him comforable even over some rough roads.

Now he's moved on to a steel bike and he loves it even more. The ride and feel is similar between his two bikes, but he loves how the steel feels more indestructable. He bought the carbon Trek figuring that it had enough of the new advances to last him a long time, but ended up falling in love with a 10 year old steel framed bike instead!

[Mimosa]

Imho it's like this

Steel: Very longlasting if it has been build 'old school' (read lugged) and comfortable. There are also steel frames which are build like alu frames are build (without lugs), they also have the comfort but lack the 'long lasting' factor. They only negative side to steel (compared to alu and carbon) is weight.

Alu: If not combined with carbon is stiff, not so comfortable and may suffer from microcracks early on in life. However the combination with carbon (front and rear) makes the bike more comfortable since the carbon acts as a cushion for the vibrations, the frame will last longer, downside it that you have glue edges where the carbon is fitted to the alu, this is a potential weakness. Another advantage is weight.

Carbon: As comfortable as steel since it absorbs the vibrations, strong, really light but may not be so long lasting as steel. It is weak in direction the carbonvibers is not woven in, so a crash with the bike could have severe consequences. I have seen a couple of girls who have carbon frames which actually broke in 2 during a crash in a group bike race. When you have such a crash there is allways someone falling or even riding over you frame, both times the frames broke. And carbon is also the most expensive alternative of the three.

My advice would be stick to steel (if you don't care about the weight) or alu with an alu rear-end but with a carbon fork (if you do want weight to count). And invest some extra money in good high-end components.