Frames Alu v Carbon and impact damage

decisivemoment said:

OK, after my spill on Chicago's lake front trail (see Bike Cafe forum), I am wondering what between an aluminum and today's carbon frames is more impact resistant. The most amazing thing to me other than how the accident happened was that my bike (Specialized Rockhopper Comp) came through unscathed other than minor battle scars to the pedals. Of course, as much as it weighs, it shouldn't be too vulnerable.

Because I'm considering a road bike, I am curious as to how a carbon frame, or an aluminum frame without the heft of a Rockhopper, would come through an accident like this. I heard pretty impressive things about the Posties' Trek bikes on the Tour this summer, but what's everyone's experience on this?

Promise, I'm not planning on any more wrecks. 😉 But when you share the road with people who beyond the fundamentals of faith in a higher authority to the point of delegating responsibility for their own day-to-day safety to Him, you just never know.

Either one could suffer fatal damage depending on alot of variables. CF has little impact resistance if it takes a direct hit. Aluminum could be dented but not be mortally wounded. Just dropping or crashing a bike won't necessarily kill it. The rockhopper could have suffered serious damage if it had hit the right object the right way. If you worry alot about such stuff,don't ride....FWIW, the worst crash I ever had was on a path at the hands of a moron coming the opposite direction and swerved in front of me while looking at his feet.I was in the drops going about as fast as I could go and went clear over the bars. Could have been killed,but apparently fall well. Straightened myself and the bike and rode 20 miles home. The real hurt in the severely bruised and rashed hip and leg stared the next day. I should have throttled the moron.