I've recently checked out 2 bikes, a Planet X Carbon Pro with Sram Force and a Charge Juicer Hi with 105 gear. I test rode the Charge, and thought it was relatively light for a steel frame. With that in mind, I was expecting the Planet X to be even lighter being a carbon, but to my surprise it felt heavier. How can that be?
Heavy Carbon
- Thread starter Bike_Me
- Start date
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It felt heavier? The only way you can compare the weights of two bikes is to weigh them.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Cheaper heavier components (like the wheels) could make a lighter frame feel heavier but it could be a number of other factors too for instance conditions (you, climate, traffic, roads, etc) at the times of the test ride
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
Some steels have a very high tensile strength per unit mass so it's possible to make very light steel frames. Before suitable aluminium alloys were used there were tubesets such as the 531C which were light, but very expensive.
Carbon is inherently lighter for the same strength frame than either steel or ali alloy, but it's still possible to make different weight frames from it. My assumption would be that lower weight goes with higher cost.
As said above the components used are a major contributor to bike weight so look at the wheels, groupset, brakes and so on.
Under present UCI rules competition riders have to add ballast to bring bikes up to UCI minimum weight. When that rule goes (surely it must?) I'm going to be interested to read just how light a bike can be made!
Carbon is inherently lighter for the same strength frame than either steel or ali alloy, but it's still possible to make different weight frames from it. My assumption would be that lower weight goes with higher cost.
As said above the components used are a major contributor to bike weight so look at the wheels, groupset, brakes and so on.
Under present UCI rules competition riders have to add ballast to bring bikes up to UCI minimum weight. When that rule goes (surely it must?) I'm going to be interested to read just how light a bike can be made!
simon.r
Person
- Location
- Nottingham
I own a planet X RT58 (carbon frame / Sram Force) and a Charge Juicer Mid (steel frame, same as the hi I believe / mix of Sora and 105). While they're both lovely bikes to ride, the Planet X is much lighter. Part of this is down to the fact I've got mudguards, a heavy saddle, heavier tyres etc on the Charge, but I'm certain that the Planet X frameset is significantly lighter.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
IIRC Maddison Genesis ride on a steal frame that is just heavier than the lightest of carbon frames and a lot lighter than others.
Yes, it's a 953 volant. They have worked with reynolds for custom tubing. It should be on sale next year IIRC.
simon.r
Person
- Location
- Nottingham
Due in September - see last comment here: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/24/01/13/genesis-volare-953