What Is Stiffer

[gb155]

For climbing

A Carbon or a TI ?

Gaz

 

[GrasB]

Carbon is usually stiffer, however there's been some research showing that heavier, more flexible Ti & Steel bikes bikes climb faster than lighter, stiffer carbon & aluminium bikes.

 

[Fiona N]

Depends on the frame builder and design

 

[e-rider]

Depends on the frame builder and design

well perhaps but not really; generally Carbon is significantly stiffer

 

[e-rider]

Carbon is usually stiffer, however there's been some research showing that heavier, more flexible Ti & Steel bikes bikes climb faster than lighter, stiffer carbon & aluminium bikes.

did they forget to keep the rider the same???

or was the research done by Wiltshire College

 

[GrasB]

The big thing was power on prolonged climbs, the stiff bikes were sapping away endurance due to road vibration. The riders were simply in a better condition during the latter stages of the climb on Ti or Steel bikes, that condition more than made up for the weight penalty. That said weight still mattered, for both the stiff & flexible bikes those at the top of their respective trees were the lightest. Another thing was aero mattered even on long climbs over 8% average gradients.

 

[515mm]

Carbon is usually stiffer, however there's been some research showing that heavier, more flexible Ti & Steel bikes bikes climb faster than lighter, stiffer carbon & aluminium bikes.

Interesting.

My Cervelo R3 must be giving me only a placebo effect advantage over my Van Nic Yukon.

Before you ask, my R3 is much more comfortable than my titanium Yukon, much less road vibration gets through to my hands feet and ass. Modern carbon ain't harsh.

 

[totallyfixed]

I would be surprised if anyone outside of a pro stage racer or sprinter could detect a difference in stiffness on a bike produced in the last dozen years. With bikes coming equipped with carbon forks and seatposts, even more minimal. Tyres and latex innertubes in particular make a difference. The one thing that really makes a big difference that you and me can feel is the stiffness of the wheels, easy to tell the difference when climbing out of the saddle.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Depends on the frame builder and design

+1.

There is more bollocks talked about frame materials than even about politics.

 

[accountantpete]

As the above have said - design is key.

Basically for the same weight a large tube with thin walls is stiffer than a smaller tube with thicker walls - this applies to tubes of all makes I believe.

For a stiff bike look out for a big bottom bracket area as this is where most flex occurs.

 

[snailracer]

Stiffness has little to do with a bike's mechanical efficiency. It is marketing fluff.

 

[gb155]

Ok let me rephrase

If I had £2k

For VERY Rare commuter and as a special day/ event bike, would you by a Madone, A Planet x TI

or something else ?

 

[adscrim]

I'd wait and see where the new boardman elite range was priced.

 

[gb155]

I'd wait and see where the new boardman elite range was priced.

The issue there is we dont know how stiff they are, for what ever the price is.

Are the current Boardies stiffies ?

 

[tradesecrets]

For climbing

A Carbon or a TI ?

Gaz

Pagani have use a composite of carbon and titanium for here new car .. though time will tell if that mixture will be seen on bikes ..


As for what is stiffer ...


It all about having faith in oneself to defeat what is in front of you ..