Quoted post said:Originally Posted by headplant [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]
I guess the question is about carbon frames - is there any particular advantage/disadvantage over a good aluminum frame? The CAAD10 is stiff and light, and supposedly comfortable with the SAVE stays, but everyone is raving about carbon. Seems like they would have to be way better to justify the higher cost, but maybe it's just a fad. I had a Specialized Carbon Epic years back and it was a good ride, but nothing spectacular.
There's nothing inherently better about a carbon fiber frame. In fact the material from which a frame is made is only one of many factors that influence how a bike rides/performs, and it's a pretty minor factor. There are CF frames that can batter a rider just as well as any other frame. Likewise there are steel frames that can batter rider just as well as any other frame. That same goes for Ti frames, aluminum frames, or whatever. A frame material does not imbue a frame with any inherent ride or performance characteristic. That ride or performance characteristic is a function of frame design, rider fit, tire pressure, rider perception, and so on.
The raving you hear is, a lot of the time, the result of new bike orgasm, marketing, inexperience, or maybe even shilling. Of course sometimes the raving is from objective analysis but certainly not always. As for the higher cost of the frames, it's solely a function of what the market will be bear and where supply and demand intersect. An expensive price does not guarantee any type of performance or ride characteristic from a bike.
Since you liked your CAAD7, I'd see if you can get a ride on a CAAD10. Of course, if you're jonesing for something different than a CAAD, get a test ride on something else. A test ride is going to tell more than what anyone on a forum can offer. Just make sure you can get test rides that are not just around the parking lot but are instead of significant duration....at least an hour but hopefully more.
