Bike buying advice · Public discussion

OEM Carbon Vs Current Al Frame?

Started by RideinStyle76 · · Last activity · 5 posts · 4,704 views

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Bike buying advice
Published
8 August 2011
Last activity
9 August 2011
Original author
RideinStyle76
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5
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Public discussion
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Topics
Bamboo framesCarbon framesFrame geometry

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  1. Original post
    RideinStyle76
    Archived post
    #1

    Hi everyone

    I've been Conducting a LOT of research into Chinese OEM frames. It's a viable way for most of us to get into some decent bikes without going into debt or getting a divorce.

    YES!! I am aware of the dangers involved with purchasing eg; limited warranty, overseas purchase etc. I am looking at purchasing direct from the factory who has been getting good reviews not EBAY. so there is a little insurance in that.( enough for me at least) My questions relate to ride quality etc.
    I am currently Cat 2 or open B grade here in Australia. I am on a custom built aluminium bike, it's built from columbus xlr8r tubing has a Columbus Super Muscle fork. built up with DA7800, Zipp 404 race wheels, 3T carbon bars ans Seatpost.

    I've included specs for my current ride for you opinion
    Horizontal TT 545mm
    Seat angle 72deg
    Head Angle 72deg
    Head height 140mm
    rear stay 410mm.

    I am looking into these three options
    A) Pinarello copy with full paint decals etc
    B) FM039 ISP
    C) FM015 ISP (or no ISP)

    My real questions are
    1) how will the ride quality differ from the Al to carbon?

    2) In your opinion is it worth the change in frames?

    Thank You it's a long post but the forum has had some good advice etc from many people. Just hoping to get a different perspective on this.

    Cheers

    Report
  2. Reid2
    Archived post
    #2

    I don't know from nothing, as the old USA expression goes,

    but doesn't it matter much more, your muscle and determination,

    than a few nano-nothings of weight or "stiffness" or "compliance"?

    And if you are on level ground, doesn't it seem more profitable to pour effort into yourself,

    and not worry about a no-name carbon frame, which if it fails, could hurt you, and you will have no practical, legal recourse?

    Just a duffer's thoughts, not important.

    As some say, if you have the legs, heart and lungs, the frame is hardly the factor to dither over.

    Is your present ride too "rough"? Is a carbon fiber frame replacement really going to ride better?
    Haven't you a mate with such a bike, you could try for a spin?
    Are your roads rough? Will you get a silky ride? Is it a realistically more "efficient" frame,
    or does it absorb an extra five watts in flexure? If it rides soft, then it is absorbing energy, yes?
    And where does that energy derive from?

    Men are built to want carbon kit for joys.

    Report
  3. Reid2
    Archived post
    #3

    I have a laughing feeling that I just killed this thread, sorry, I'm a caine,

    It's a wonderful material, within its limitations (sun, rain, torsional-give)

    They were making bamboo bike frames in the 1890s too.

    It is the original "carbon fiber" frame material! Its very neat even today.

    oh, am just finding this stuff, it's all so available today, but I did not know this,

    Makes me want to have a bamboo! bike too.

    In the 1890s, the great trouble was in securing a lasting bond between frame lugs and the bamboo.
    And, too, the material is not weather-stable, nor is it ideally stiff, but it is resilient and easy-riding.

    We can think of it as nature's carbon fiber. It is an amazing product. Walking canes, light and strong,
    bike frames, too.

    Handlebars were once popularly made in hickory wood, but, as with bamboo, at that time the fad faded.

    Aluminum was also investigated in the 1890's. As with bamboo, bonding techniques were not yet perfected.

    Today, epoxy makes carbon fiber and bamboo both viable choices. And aluminum is easy to weld, not so in the early days.

    Report
  4. Reid2
    Archived post
    #4

    Oh, I am eating my hat now (an old time expression)

    Look at this, it's wonderful, the ULTIMATE carbon fiber, see?

    Everything about the video and maker is "right". What a combination of
    craftsmanship, ingenuity and speaking and "selling" skills.

    Don't you want a boo bike now? I do!

    Report
  5. RideinStyle76
    Archived post
    #5

    @ Reid2 Thanks for those imformative responses[IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif[/IMG]

    now if someone has an idea related to my actual questions that would be great.

    I am aware of what dangers/risks involved I am looking for some feedback in ride quality/feel and some feedback relating to geometry.

    Cheers

    Report

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