Aluminum versus Carbon Road Bikes

[beachygal]

I'm in the process of looking for my first road bike, and my head is spinning. I've tried about 6 bikes at this point, and I really fell in love with one (a Trek Lexa SLX-C--carbon fork with aluminum frame). But before I go back to try it again and possibly purchase, I'm wondering if I should keep looking for a bike with a carbon frame.

As a beginning cyclist, how important is a full carbon frame? I have a budget of up to $1800. I went to another LBS and tried a Giant Defy which was alright, but they are also getting an Avail Composite in a few weeks that is full carbon (and the LBS owner said it has an identical feel to the Defy).

I know that if I really fall in love with cycling that this won't be my last bike, but I'm hoping to have a bike I enjoy riding for 3-5 years before wanting an upgrade. I'll mostly be using the bike for Sprint/Olympic triathlons, and possibly a century (and maybe even a half Ironman...if my H&F dreams come true, haha). I should also mention that I am super new to cycling and very clumsy, and I hear that carbon is more delicate (is that true?). So maybe the carbon fork/aluminum combo would be just right for me?


I've looked on other message boards about carbon v. aluminum and there is so much splitting hairs. So help!

[finallykrisb]

I bought the Lexa S and its a great entry level bike. But if a carbon frame was in your budget I would buy the best possible bike you could.

[katinthehat]

I say buy the best components you can afford. As a beginner you probably won't notice the difference between carbon and aluminum but you will notice poor shifters, sticky brakes and other such nuisances. At the least, I'd get a Shimano 105 derailleur or the equivalent SRAM (maybe Apex, I'm not as familiar with SRAM.)

That being said, components are easy to upgrade and much cheaper if you want to piece it together yourself. (A Shimano Ultegra derailleur is like $95) If you fall in love with a carbon frame and are okay with spreading the spending out over the next year, then get a good frame.

But hands down, the absolute most important part is to get a bike that feels good to you, that you feel comfortable on and that you won't be afraid to ride and/or bang up a little bit. I've had several friends that have bought $$$ bikes and then are too scared to ride them or perform basic maintenance on them.

[Susie]

Everybody has different things that they will tell you are the "most important."  (I think we can all agree that fit is #1, but after that.)  For some people it's the frame, for others it's components.  For some it might be something else, maybe wheels or something.  For every person who tells you "get the best frame you can afford, you can upgrade everything else, but a new frame means a new bike" - you'll find someone else telling you "get the best components you can afford, you'll notice them first."  And your head will spin.

The best piece of advice I can give you, if you are sitting there wondering about Al vs. carbon frames is to go ride a carbon frame bike.  It sounds like all 6 that you've test ridden have been Al.  Nobody can really tell you how important the difference is, you have to feel the difference for yourself (and then decide how you feel about that difference).

When I bought my first road bike, I planned to get an Al frame because I was trying to be cost-conscious.  I looked at Scott, the Trek Lexa, and the Specialized Dolce as finalists.  Then I rode the top end Dolce, which had (in addition to the carbon fork, which they all have) carbon seat stays.  I could really feel a difference, significantly smoother ride with less road chatter.  I was immediately sold on the Dolce Comp over the Trek or Scott because they didn't offer one with carbon seat stays.  But then I was curious, how would an all carbon frame feel?  Fortunately they had a carbon Specialized Ruby in my size in the store.  I took it out next, and it was all over.  I didn't buy it that day, but as soon as I discussed the budget bump with Calvin, I did.  I have not looked back.  It was so much smoother and less chattery than the Al frames. 

A bunch of my tri club friends, who started cycling around the same time I did, bought Dolce's.  Since then, 3 out of 3 of them have traded in their Dolces (Al) for Rubies (carbon) 2-3 years later, and been really glad they did.  They spent a lot more on the way to owning a Ruby than I did, what with the trade in.  It's up to you how you feel about that possibility.  I spent less in the long run, but I took a bigger risk at the outset if I didn't really like or use it much.  I figured if I spent the money on a bike I loved I was more likely to win on that gamble.  (This of course all assumes you like carbon better when you test ride it, although pretty much everyone I know does.)  I was also willing to forgo getting a tri bike; this would be My Bike, singular, in order to have it.  It has carried me through 3 seasons of sprint, olympic, and HIM distance tris.

As far as the delicacy of carbon, I would not worry too much about it. Mine is 3 years old and has been involved in 2 crashes, one that landed me in the hospital. I had the frame inspected after each one, and it is sound.

As far as components, I got Shimano 105s.  At the time, it was the entry level 10 speed group (I think Tiagra is 10 spd now).  It was the least I could spend, and still have it be interchangeable (and therefore piecemeal upgradable in the future) with Ultegra, Dura Ace, etc., if I ever wanted to.  So far 105s have been fine.  I liked 105s better than SRAM's competing group.  Double tap shifting wasn't for me.

Anyway, that was a book, and might or might not have been helpful.  Bottom line, go ride a carbon bike and see what you think.  Come ask more questions if you think of any.

[sadlebred]

I'd try to ride a few carbon road bikes and then decide. Personally, I have some of everything--titanium, carbon, aluminum, steel. Ti is by far my favorite material. It's fairly light, compliant yet stiff, and provides a great ride. My carbon bike is light and responsive. Aluminum is stiff and affordable. Steel is real (and a bit heavy).

The most important thing is to BUY A BIKE THAT FITS. The world's greatest bike will sit in your garage if it doesn't fit. See the link below for some more advice.

[beachygal]

Sept 1, 2013 19:11:24 GMT -5 Susie said:

The best piece of advice I can give you, if you are sitting there wondering about Al vs. carbon frames is to go ride a carbon frame bike.  It sounds like all 6 that you've test ridden have been Al.  Nobody can really tell you how important the difference is, you have to feel the difference for yourself (and then decide how you feel about that difference).

Actually one of the 6 I tried was a carbon frame, but I really didn't notice a difference. Maybe that just wasn't the bike for me.  I do think I need to retry a few more carbon frames--there's a shop nearby that has a fancy-schmancy Madone 4.5 on Closeout along with a Specialized Ruby. They also have the one I really liked (Lexa SLX-C), and that might be a good way to compare them all.

All of the bikes I've looked at have Shimano-105 (actually the Madone has Ultegra), which I think are good components. I'd really like a bike I can just keep as is for 3 years without needing to upgrade this or change that.

I do need to take another look at sadlebred's profile...I looked awhile back, so I think it might be time for another look!