Carbon Versus Aluminum Bike Frames

Aluminum frames possess the shortest fatigue life of any material used to manufacture bicycle frames.

Carbon versus aluminum bike frames.

Carbon fiber frames are lighter than aluminum frames because the material is less dense. It s worth noting that not all carbon fibre is equal and it s possible that a low grade carbon frame could weigh more than a high end aluminum frame. Conversely carbon possesses the longest fatigue life. For more info check out my carbon fiber vs aluminum frame guide.

Most bamboo bikes are made by starting with strong bamboo poles then binding the joints together with fiber and resin. Having said that bamboo is a legitimate bike frame material. Great road bikes for under 1 000. Carbon frames are usually a bit lighter than aluminum up to a pound for mountain frames and up to a half pound on road frames.

That begs the obvious question is a 1 5 pound weight saving worth the extra cash. Aluminium was the leader when it came to frame material before carbon become more accessible. Most bike frames will be made of either steel titanium aluminum or carbon fiber steel and titanium are the most popular options for custom and handmade bike building. The vast majority of modern bikes however will be made from aluminum or carbon fiber.

The transition smuggler aluminum frame sells for 1999 while the carbon version sells for 2999 a 1000 difference. While both aluminum and carbon bikes will offer a little bit of flex in this way carbon bikes will offer a far greater amount of power. That s a 1300 difference. These are kind of a novelty at this point.

The density of modern carbon fiber is about 1 9 g cm 3 compared to aluminum which has a density of about 2 3 g cm 3. Carbon fibre can be relatively easily manipulated by designers to create frames with the particular balance of properties they want whether that s low weight comfort stiffness. This means more speed more enjoyment and more confidence while you re riding. The typical aluminum frame possesses a life expectancy of five to 10 years.

Buy carbon if you want the lightest and stiffest road bike money can buy or because you want to go aero. Ride quality is more noticeable on road frames than mountain frames with vibrations being damped by carbon more so than aluminum. These joints are similar to carbon fiber. Aluminum mountain bike frames weigh around 1 pound more than comparable carbon frames.

The aluminum santa cruz bronson frame sells for 1999 while the carbon cc version sells for 3299. Most manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty on carbon frames.