#!markdown
I switched from AL to CF this year. Same frame, same geometry as the AL
version. Was a warranty deal. AL frame cracked. Known issue. I asked to pay
the difference for the CF frame. I wasn't sure if I made the right decision.
It was an extra $1000. CF frame was only 185g lighter and apparently 11% more
stiff. I can't say I felt the CF frame cut any vibration as it's a dual squish
bike and the suspension I suspect would play the more significant roll in
vibration dampening.
I was surprised that there was a noticeable difference in steering response
and front end stability. The AL frame seemed quite good to me, didn't have any
complaints, but the CF frame is better. Is it $1000.00 better?
Probably not, but I'm not upset with my purchase so far. I would have got a
better performance improvement from CF wheels instead… But… Will get CF wheels
anyway (probably China or Taiwan rims, and I'll build the wheels myself) so
I'll have both.
I'm convinced CF is the way to go technologically, but price wise the value to
usefulness ratio still has some room for improvement.CF upgrade was gift to
myself and not really needed. Got lucky, had some extra cash this year 🙂
I like CF bars and seat post. Weight can be cut in half and durability is
proven. So long as it's made right it shouldn't be an issue. I'm sure formula
one cars deal with a lot more stress than a bicycle, ditto for jets and
spacecraft- each using CF successfully. Don't know if we get that tech in
bikes, but it definitely shows CF is well established and beyond the proof of
concept stage as a material. Anything is possible though.. Someone could
develop a new alloy and we'd all be pining for that..
April 23, 2014, 9:32 p.m. - XC_chicken
#!markdown I switched from AL to CF this year. Same frame, same geometry as the AL version. Was a warranty deal. AL frame cracked. Known issue. I asked to pay the difference for the CF frame. I wasn't sure if I made the right decision. It was an extra $1000. CF frame was only 185g lighter and apparently 11% more stiff. I can't say I felt the CF frame cut any vibration as it's a dual squish bike and the suspension I suspect would play the more significant roll in vibration dampening. I was surprised that there was a noticeable difference in steering response and front end stability. The AL frame seemed quite good to me, didn't have any complaints, but the CF frame is better. Is it $1000.00 better? Probably not, but I'm not upset with my purchase so far. I would have got a better performance improvement from CF wheels instead… But… Will get CF wheels anyway (probably China or Taiwan rims, and I'll build the wheels myself) so I'll have both. I'm convinced CF is the way to go technologically, but price wise the value to usefulness ratio still has some room for improvement.CF upgrade was gift to myself and not really needed. Got lucky, had some extra cash this year 🙂 I like CF bars and seat post. Weight can be cut in half and durability is proven. So long as it's made right it shouldn't be an issue. I'm sure formula one cars deal with a lot more stress than a bicycle, ditto for jets and spacecraft- each using CF successfully. Don't know if we get that tech in bikes, but it definitely shows CF is well established and beyond the proof of concept stage as a material. Anything is possible though.. Someone could develop a new alloy and we'd all be pining for that..