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Carbon frames have significant drawbacks compared to metal frames, especially for everyday bikes. Sure, the weight reduction matters when you're racing, but ca
by KozmoNau7 8y ago
Carbon frames have significant drawbacks compared to metal frames, especially for everyday bikes.
Sure, the weight reduction matters when you're racing, but carbon frames don't stand up very well to the bumps and scrapes of a bike commute. If you crash a metal frame, it may bend a bit, and if it's unsafe to ride, it's generally immediately obvious. A carbon frame can look perfectly fine, but suddenly snap at an inopportune moment.
For commuting and everyday riding, you want something slightly heavier and beefier. Most bikes these days are aluminum, and some people still swear by lugged steel frames for their durability.
- modzu 8y agoi generally agree with you, but i also think it's a little more complex -- carbon fiber is extremely strong for its weight -- if you have an accident that is going to render it unsafe, you are sure likely to know. its true you can bend a steel frame back into shape (not so much with aluminum), but steel also rusts, and with anything the quality of the build matters (what do the welds look like, is it lugged, etc) in any case im talking about a future where carbon is cheaper and replacing it doesn't cost the equivalent of a college degree if anyone wants to read far too much about this stuff, ya gotta read sheldon brown: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-materials.html https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-materials.html
- KozmoNau7 8y agoCarbon fiber doesn't do very well under repeated vibration and shock loads, and is very susceptible to UV damage. This can of course be mitigated, but that's part of why CF frames are expensive. And in the end, the weight savings are rather small, most people do fine on hills as long as they have the appropriate gearing.