Carbon Versus Aluminum Bike Frames

For more info check out my carbon fiber vs aluminum frame guide.

Carbon versus aluminum bike frames.

That s a 1300 difference. 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. It s a relatively light and stiff material and generally cheaper to produce than carbon. 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.

Most bamboo bikes are made by starting with strong bamboo poles then binding the joints together with fiber and resin. A carbon fibre frame will almost always be lighter than an aluminium equivalent and you ll only find carbon fibre bikes in the pro peloton in part because of the weight benefits. 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. That begs the obvious question is a 1 5 pound weight saving worth the extra cash.

Carbon fiber frames are lighter than aluminum frames because the material is less dense. These are kind of a novelty at this point. Having said that bamboo is a legitimate bike frame material. Great road bikes for under 1 000.

Aluminium was the leader when it came to frame material before carbon become more accessible. Conversely carbon possesses the longest fatigue life. Ride quality is more noticeable on road frames than mountain frames with vibrations being damped by carbon more so than aluminum. This means more speed more enjoyment and more confidence while you re riding.

The aluminum santa cruz bronson frame sells for 1999 while the carbon cc version sells for 3299. 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. The typical aluminum frame possesses a life expectancy of five to 10 years. The transition smuggler aluminum frame sells for 1999 while the carbon version sells for 2999 a 1000 difference.

The vast majority of modern bikes however will be made from aluminum or carbon fiber. Most manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty on carbon frames. Buy carbon if you want the lightest and stiffest road bike money can buy or because you want to go aero. This means carbon bikes feel much faster while accelerating and will be much more responsive when setting off.

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