whats so great about carbon?
Thread started by
upstate at 10.23.08 - 10:48 pm
So i was looking at bikes the other day and was wondering whats so great about carbonfiber. i understand that its less weight and all but what does it do for ride quality? i keep hearing it sucks up road vibration, but why does it do that, it it the weave or something. Also what the benefits of a carbon frame compared to a carbon alu mix? know thats alot, but any answers would be great.
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They play good underground hip-hop, and there's no cover before midnight.
illafilla10.23.08 - 11:04 pm
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im my most humble opinion, unless you are racing, nothing, steel is just as comfy as carbon, so is alu and ti, I rode the super six on ALC for six days, I want one, but I could do just fine with what I got.
dannyzuko10.23.08 - 11:05 pm
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I ride a carbon bike, so here's my take.... I've played music for a long time, so I am tuned into what materials conduct sound waves (vibrations) well, and what tend to mute them. Like a trumpet is often sharp and bright, and projects high frequencies, so in my opinion do aluminum frames, less so steel, and least of all in my opinion, carbon. Those high frequency vibrations are what tended to numb my contact points and instigate fatigue over distance. I am 200 pounds of muscle and bone (thanks to abandoning my car and riding all the time) and my 3 pound carbon frame and fork has been able to handle everything I can dish out. I guess my best advice is just fall in love with a bike, buy it, and ride it into the sunset, whatever it's made of. Just get something that makes you want to ride, ride, ride.
horse sense10.24.08 - 3:33 am
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elimination of sore ass!
sexy10.24.08 - 6:47 am
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horse sense has a really cool bike. and hippie hair.
la duderina11.29.08 - 12:19 am
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Carbon fiber allows bike manufacturers to charge a premium for new "features" without having to compete with the low-ball knock-off manufacturers of bike components.
It also nearly insures that your bicycle will become a splintering death trap in a few years time, as the "fiber" gradually drys out and begins to flake and crack.
STEEL IS REAL!!
ubrayj0211.29.08 - 12:28 am
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Carbon fiber is pretty much the lightest/strongest bike material, and depending on the weave, can have a pretty forgiving ride, but it's not overly durable and it's expensive
Titanium is pretty kick ass too, and durable, but it's expensive and difficult to weld, so a lot of companies are moving away from it.
Aluminum is almost as light, but tends to be pretty stiff.
Steel is about as strong, but is usually heavier, but is also more durable than carbon fiber. It's also got a good ride quality (some would argue the best).
If you want the fastest lightest cost no object bike, it's probably going to be carbon fiber.
If you want something really light and fast and reasonably cheap, aluminum's a good choice.
If you want something durable and resilient with decent ride quality, steel is good.
There's also the aesthetic value. Carbon fiber looks totally high-tech, while for those who like classic looks and serious craftsmanship, it's hard to beat a lugged steel frame. (See e.g. Hetchins/Sachs/etc.).
JB11.29.08 - 12:44 am
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At Wolfpack I've seen Cole riding everything but my sister. Carbon, Ti, pig iron, and he's always up front. I guess it's not about the bike, then. Since people love to bicker and polarize everything they can on these boards, however, I'd say ask someone you trust and know has lots of miles on good frames from each category. H.Sense
horse sense11.29.08 - 12:52 am
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Cole = 2nd place
Always
sexy11.29.08 - 12:59 am
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I'm borrowing a carbon bike and its amazing. It weighs about the same as my aluminum/carbon fork track bike but it still has 18 speeds. The bike is light enough that i can notice a large difference in control. Although it is super strong I feel it has quite a bit of flex compared to good ol' aluminum Cannondales. I wouldn't expect to last nearly as long either.
larsenf11.29.08 - 1:07 am
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earlier I dropped a whole fucking bowl on the carpet. I said to myself man, what a waste I can't smoke it because it has carbon fibers all in it. Orrr carpet fibers?
la duderina11.29.08 - 1:16 am
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go wit carbon fiber you wont regret it ! but do your hw first and if you need to pray about it......
jbachez11.29.08 - 1:32 am
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I prayed once. God told me he doesn't exist.
la duderina11.29.08 - 1:34 am
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just don't be that slow fat guy on a $3,000 dollar bike with aero wheels and shit....
horse sense11.29.08 - 1:43 am
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what a paradox ?????????????????????? then the universe imploded right ?
jbachez11.29.08 - 1:44 am
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Cole = 2nd place
Always
sexy
11.29.08 - 3:59 am
He gets 1st place moustache.
@ JC.
It did. It happened the very night George W. Bush was elected president.
la duderina11.29.08 - 1:47 am
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The best thing is if you get a ding in it, its fucked!
This has 2 great advantages.
1) you try really hard not to crash.
2) if you do crash you have to buy a new bike boosting the failing american economy.
trickmilla11.29.08 - 10:16 am
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Weight Weenies crack me up!
Dude instead of spending $1,000 on lightening a bike a pound or so, why not just save the bucks and just lose a pound or two of body fat?
I see this in other sports too. Ultralight backpacking is another good example.
User111.29.08 - 12:27 pm
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Besides, all the weight I carry on my bike is prepping me good for my future, EMS, or Public Safety career!!
You see most of these fools?!?!?
It's as if I could punch a damned hole through them!!!!
bentstrider11.29.08 - 12:55 pm
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