Alu or Carbon frame ?

[AndyxBennett]

Hi there
Being a born again cyclist, I’ve spent many fun filled hours this “summer” / autumn / early winter getting out and about on my bike.

At the moment I’m quite comfortable doing around 40 – 45 miles on my current bike and occasionally 65 – 70’ish miles, but for next year I have aspirations of doing rides of between 120 – 150 miles.

I did however make a mistake this year by buying a MTB for use on the road, don’t get me wrong it’s a really comfortable (with the road tires fitted) and very reliable bike, but as I’m sure you all know, it’s not really that efficient / fast / practical for this type of use.

As such in early spring next year I will be looking to purchase a new road bike.

But this is where my confusion starts; my budget puts me in bracket where I’m looking at either a med / high(‘ish) spec aluminum framed bike or a low end carbon framed bike

Having read all the sales hype (which hasn’t helped at all…) I’m looking for some real world advise / experiences which can help me make a practical choice, otherwise I’ll end up picking my new bike based upon its colour scheme….

Many thanks in advance.

Andy

 

[mark st1]

Any idea on your budget mate or any shortlist of bikes you have already ?

 

[derrick]

I would go higher end ally to lower end carbon, still not convinced about carbon,

 

[DooDah]

Buy the best spec you can get with an aluminium frame. Makecsure the forks are carbon though. You will notice more benefit from better spec. Components, wheels, brakes tyres etc. Than frame. Mind you if you are doing that sort of mileage on a mtn with road tyres, you are putting us all to shame.

 

[black'n'yellow]

Having read all the sales hype (which hasn’t helped at all…) I’m looking for some real world advise / experiences which can help me make a practical choice, otherwise I’ll end up picking my new bike based upon its colour scheme….

budget?

 

[jim55]

alu with a carbon fork

 

[festival]

Carbon is king, its cutting edge, its more responsive and its what people want.
But! Buy a cheap carbon bike and you may be risking your life.
Aluminium was once the the new wonder material, get a mid range model and you still have a good frame.

 

[black'n'yellow]

But! Buy a cheap carbon bike and you may be risking your life.

why?

 

[Nearly there]

But! Buy a cheap carbon bike and you may be risking your life.

So £1000 Planet x carbon bike is dangerous compared to a specialized 2k jobbie?

 

[screenman]

Because he heard it from a mates, mates, second cousins, sister- in- laws husbands, brothers, sons girlfriends dads gran dad. That is why.

Personally I have never seen anyone have a problem with one.

 

[Rob3rt]

Carbon is king, its cutting edge, its more responsive and its what people want.
But! Buy a cheap carbon bike and you may be risking your life.
Aluminium was once the the new wonder material, get a mid range model and you still have a good frame.

 

[Kestevan]

I was in a similar situation recently, ( a budget of £1200). I looked at the "big name" brands and found that even looking at last years model, I wasn't getting enough VFM. I know it's been discussed elsewhere recently but as a case in point, Specialized were after £1200 for a bike fitted with Sora.

The direct sellers (Planet-X, Rose, Ribble (hack spit) ) seemed to offer much better value at this price range.
Personally I went with a Planet -X bike (and its great).

 

[SquareDaff]

As no-one has suggested it yet - go and try them out. I had a similar dilema and almost went down the high end alu with carbon forks route. Went to the LBS and tried out a variety of bikes. The one that "felt right" to me turned out to be all carbon. I love it and have had no problems with it whatsoever.

 

[BrumJim]

Alu.
If you get a carbon bike, doesn't matter what the groupset is, you are top of the food chain. Anyone that passes you with an inferior frame material is duty bound to smirk and gloat, and there is no one further up the food chain for you to smirk and/or gloat at.

Seriously? Try a couple out, take advice, and decide whether you want a better frame material, or better specced components. Some will argue that you can easily upgrade components (groupset, wheels, pedals, saddle, etc), but can't upgrade a frame. Others will point to the limited benefits of a carbon frame, and the very noticeable benefits of better components.

 

[Manonabike]

Carbon is king, its cutting edge, its more responsive and its what some people want.
But! Buy a cheap carbon bike and you may be risking your life.
Aluminium was once the the new wonder material, get a mid range model and you still have a good frame.

You seriously talk a lot B.... S.....