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Carbon vs Alu New Bike

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  • January 9, 2014 at 5:31 pm #20429
    pepita1

    Hi,

    I’m looking at possibly getting new road bike. Have decided on Merida Juliet model. Spec is good on both the 94 and carbon 904. Price difference is £500+ for CF. Additionally the CF has Fulcrum wheels (though I don’t know that much about wheels). Is having a carbon frame and upgraded wheels worth the extra £500? The aluminium frame has full CF fork and head tube as well as seat post. Just not too sure if CF is for me. Any help/explanations about pros/cons of having a full CF vs aluminium with carbon bits are appreciated. Thanks

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Viewing 7 replies - 16 through 22 (of 22 total)
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  • January 9, 2014 at 11:12 pm #767777
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    Roberj4

    One of the biggest ‘bull
    One of the biggest ‘bull shit’ statements manufacturers mention with their latest carbon creation is their frames are 10% lighter and stiff than last years model happens every year. Never fall for that total garbage!

    January 9, 2014 at 11:08 pm #767775
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    Roberj4

    I’ve been running a
    I’ve been running a Cannondale Caad3 for approx 15+ years from new adding a Super6 carbon four years ago. For the first time last year I felt the real benefits to carbon after a winters training/commuting meaning I was really fit and flying, the Super6 was so nice to ride finally justifying the £2700 price tag (Ultegra equipped).

    The Caad3 rides just as responsive and is a joy to ride on club runs. I won’t be buying another carbon frame again (do I need to – no) Aluminium is superb, bomb proof with better levels of kit per ££. I see Specialized are reinvesting in newer welding technics with Aluminium frames for 2014!!
    Cannondale Caad range leads the market .Caad 9 last of the USA built frame sets 2012 if you see one second hand or the Caad 10 a mate picked one up in last years sales with Dura-ace mechanical 10 speed £1699!!!! Westbrook Cycles

    January 9, 2014 at 10:42 pm #767773
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    Colin Peyresourde

    A good carbon bike is worth
    A good carbon bike is worth every penny. Weight and stiffness is way better. Literally, the bike floats under you.

    I let my girlfriend by the bike she thought she wanted. Aluminium frame, carbon forks, a nice bike. Less than a year later she’s riding full carbon and cursing me for not going to the bike shop with her.

    Weight is a big issue, but carbon does absorb what some one else called road noise. The only downside in my opinion is the price.

    I hear there are bad carbon bikes, but I’ve never ridden one.

    Remember: when you want to make a commitment you do it with carbon……

    January 9, 2014 at 10:09 pm #767771
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    parksey

    +1 to what mtbtomo said.
    I’ve
    +1 to what mtbtomo said.

    I’ve recently bought aluminium at the same £1k price point (Trek) and am more than happy with it. Yes, you feel the road whilst riding, but no more so than similarly-priced carbon frames I’ve tried, and it’s far from uncomfortable.

    The overwhelming consensus when I was taking advice on what to buy was that, even above a grand, alu + decent groupset > carbon + cheaper groupset.

    Ok, the issue here is whether to pay more for carbon rather than go alu or carbon at the same price, but if it was me then I’d probably save the money and go alu.

    Have you ridden them yet?

    January 9, 2014 at 8:47 pm #767769
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    mtbtomo

    Aluminium is having a bit of
    Aluminium is having a bit of resurgence – Cannondale CAAD, Kinesis, Giant all doing frames that are almost as light as cheaper carbon frames and alledgedly aren’t like harsh aluminium frames of old.

    I have an alloy Giant and alloy Kinesis, having previously had carbon frames. No real reason for having alloy as opposed to carbon, just what I like the look of.

    The £500 difference would allow you to buy a fairly decent set of wheels (better than the fulcrums on the carbon too) for the alloy one – and would have more effect on the ride than having the carbon frame.

    January 9, 2014 at 8:35 pm #767767
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    TheHatter

    I went for carbon just to see
    I went for carbon just to see what all the fuss is about. Personally I think you get a much better deal with Alu – see if you can up the wheels for around 2-300 more if you really want to
    There’s a lot of nonsense talked (“soaking up road buzz”, “lateral stiffness/vertical compliance” etc etc ) about how great carbon is but ultimately unless you’re looking to get every possible advantage you can then it probably isnt worth it.
    And If you still want to spend the money then consider buying some really top end clothing which is far easier to appreciate.

    January 9, 2014 at 8:01 pm #767765
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    drsupple

    I went for an Alu bike with
    I went for an Alu bike with carbon fork – my garage has bikes for me, my wife and 4 kids in it, and to be honest I don’t think a full carbon bike is going to be too happy being scraped by an 8 year old parking his bike. If I ever get a bigger garage, and I can ensure the frame won’t get any knocks, then I’ll reconsider!

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