want a carbon fiber bike, but nervous
#151
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I have had a CF seat post assplode under me. Name brand component. Verified genuine by them. Bought brand new. Always tightened with a torque wrench so never overtightened. They claim my frame cut it. My frame has a beautiful chamfer at the top of the seat post tube. The post was not meant to be used on a trail bike under a 250 pound aggressive rider. I have the same brand post on my road bike. No issues. The carbon post on my fat tire bike is just fine after one season.
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#152
Senior Member
One of my early suggestions to the OP was to buy a used bike from a reputable manufacturer. It makes sense for his budget, and his concerns about quality. However, when he started going down this path...
...he was definitely generalizing CF as being more dangerous than other materials.
...he was definitely generalizing CF as being more dangerous than other materials.
#153
Senior Member
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#154
2+1+0=1
Honestly Motopokep, if you are still reading this thread you started, you should NOT buy a CF frame. Just because Boeing make wings out of the stuff, and Emerates Team New Zealand won the Americas Cup in a crazy CF boat, doesn't mean it's right for you. Reading your original post and then subsequent posts you seemed to come here looking for reasons not to buy CF. And given there are now about a zillion posts telling you you're wrong and should buy CF, let me be the contrarian and tell you to STAY AWAY from CF, and stick with ****** Al. From my own experience, the last three bikes I've ridden have been CF and they were all crap. Or it could be that I am a crap bike rider, but I'm willing to blame the frame material. Your mileage will not vary.
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#155
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Yup, I missed that line and can definitely see why he would get flamed for such a statement. I hope he is still reading and takes your advice on a good used bike. My first one was used as my budget at the time was only $1,000 like the OP but I came her asking questions, and seeking knowledge when I got into the sport, not making wild assumptions haha
I recently bought a used CF bike....with CF fork, wheels, bar/stem, seatpost, and derailleur cages. Every time I ride it, I'm expecting to die, with my body punctured a multitude of times by shards of deadly CF material.
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#156
Live Healthy
Looking to buy my first road bike. Been riding an aluminum hybrid for 15 years, time to go lighter and sportier. I'm choosing between aluminum and carbon fiber. Carbon is 10 pounds lighter in weight, but after reading about all of the horror injuries coupled with the fact that I'm looking to go fast on this bike, I'm nervous about riding carbon fiber. I'm looking for a piece of mind that it won't implode under me at 15 mph. I'm looking to race only against myself and for fitness, so maybe the advantage of lighter and faster carbon fiber, for my purposes, doesn't outweigh the risks. I don't want to spend the time inspecting the carbon fiber frame for hairline-size damage. I want this bike to last me as long as possible. My current hybrid aluminum served me well for 15 years, with some grass hill riding and jumping curbs. That's why I'm leaning toward aluminum. An ultra-light carbon fiber bike sounds lucrative, but safety and longevity are my goals. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
#157
Senior Member
find a nice caad10 or 9 or 8 cannon dale... for a thousand bucks what ever you buy new in carbon will be a dog... i bought a nice used litespeed for that price and i bought a nice schwinn steel 853 for around 400 less..
if you can find a nice used Ti bike..... i wouild snag that..
if you can find a nice used Ti bike..... i wouild snag that..
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#158
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Interesting thread from the perspective of participant history. A few first-time posters. Others with many years registered, but very few posts relatively. This seems to be a topic that draws folks out of the woodwork, and/or gets them to join.
#159
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Hey
I’m currently riding a 2010 Cannondale Six Carbon (frame and forks - s105 10 speed group set) which came with a carbon seat post and aluminium bars - I’ve personalised it with a few upgrades (Ultegra based power meter and ultegra spd,s along with an aluminium aero bar) and I do around 450 to 500 km a week. It weighs around 8.2kg (18 lbs) and is sturdy as a rock.
I picked this up second hand for Ł600 ($850) a few years ago so will be cheaper now.
I agree with previous posts that you should maybe go second hand for a carbon bike rather than new from China or stick with aluminium if you think it’s safer.
also, it’s a well known fact (sorry weight weenies) that if you want to shave riding weight then it should start with the rider (and it’s cheaper too).
sorry if that sounds offensive and apols up front if it has - not intended.
regards. Scott
I’m currently riding a 2010 Cannondale Six Carbon (frame and forks - s105 10 speed group set) which came with a carbon seat post and aluminium bars - I’ve personalised it with a few upgrades (Ultegra based power meter and ultegra spd,s along with an aluminium aero bar) and I do around 450 to 500 km a week. It weighs around 8.2kg (18 lbs) and is sturdy as a rock.
I picked this up second hand for Ł600 ($850) a few years ago so will be cheaper now.
I agree with previous posts that you should maybe go second hand for a carbon bike rather than new from China or stick with aluminium if you think it’s safer.
also, it’s a well known fact (sorry weight weenies) that if you want to shave riding weight then it should start with the rider (and it’s cheaper too).
sorry if that sounds offensive and apols up front if it has - not intended.
regards. Scott
#160
Newbie
i tried posting a few links, but I have under 10 posts, so the forum is not letting me. google "carbon fiber bike lawsuits"...there's an Outpost article. Youtube "carbon fiber bike failure".
+ someone I know broke his arm in several places when his carbon fiber handlebars broke for no reason. he ended up suing and won.
i'm on a budget and looking to purchase either a $400 aluminum or a $1,000 carbon fiber bike from China. at this low price, i think its safer to go with aluminum. i know most carbon fiber bikes do not break, but most people buy $2,000 - $4,000 carbon bikes made with quality. I don't want to spend that much, as this is my hobby #10, not #1 like probably for many serious life-long cycling enthusiasts on here. If I break my arm or leg, I'll be out of my 9 other hobbies for a long time....just want the piece of mind riding aluminum. At least if aluminum starts to fail, I'll have early warning signs. If I wanted to spend $2-$3k, maybe I'd go with carbon.
+ someone I know broke his arm in several places when his carbon fiber handlebars broke for no reason. he ended up suing and won.
i'm on a budget and looking to purchase either a $400 aluminum or a $1,000 carbon fiber bike from China. at this low price, i think its safer to go with aluminum. i know most carbon fiber bikes do not break, but most people buy $2,000 - $4,000 carbon bikes made with quality. I don't want to spend that much, as this is my hobby #10, not #1 like probably for many serious life-long cycling enthusiasts on here. If I break my arm or leg, I'll be out of my 9 other hobbies for a long time....just want the piece of mind riding aluminum. At least if aluminum starts to fail, I'll have early warning signs. If I wanted to spend $2-$3k, maybe I'd go with carbon.
#161
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I have two carbon fiber framed bikes right now and really like them both. I have seen no problem with either of them. However, if you have issues with CF then go with an aluminum bike.
#162
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That's crazy talk! Don't you know what kind of site this is??
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#163
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hey there
sorry if I’ve offended or wrongly posted.
I just sensed that the original poster was concentrating more on the perceived lighter weight of carbon v other materials whereas my decision to get a carbon bike was based on its stiffness and ability to suck up road vibration.
I also have a 1996 aluminium Rock Lobster Expert MTB that I’ve been proud to own all these years and i bought it new at Ł1,200.00 back in the day. It weighs around 10.9 kg (24 lbs) and is as fresh as the day I bought it.
sorry if I’ve offended or wrongly posted.
I just sensed that the original poster was concentrating more on the perceived lighter weight of carbon v other materials whereas my decision to get a carbon bike was based on its stiffness and ability to suck up road vibration.
I also have a 1996 aluminium Rock Lobster Expert MTB that I’ve been proud to own all these years and i bought it new at Ł1,200.00 back in the day. It weighs around 10.9 kg (24 lbs) and is as fresh as the day I bought it.
#164
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It's a well-known fact that one doesn't preclude the other and that this is a common argument from would-be gate keepers intent on keeping those, less experienced and/or fit than themselves, from enjoying better equipment than themselves, all on the grounds that they haven't "earned it."
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#165
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hey there
sorry if I’ve offended or wrongly posted.
I just sensed that the original poster was concentrating more on the perceived lighter weight of carbon v other materials whereas my decision to get a carbon bike was based on its stiffness and ability to suck up road vibration.
I also have a 1996 aluminium Rock Lobster Expert MTB that I’ve been proud to own all these years and i bought it new at Ł1,200.00 back in the day. It weighs around 10.9 kg (24 lbs) and is as fresh as the day I bought it.
sorry if I’ve offended or wrongly posted.
I just sensed that the original poster was concentrating more on the perceived lighter weight of carbon v other materials whereas my decision to get a carbon bike was based on its stiffness and ability to suck up road vibration.
I also have a 1996 aluminium Rock Lobster Expert MTB that I’ve been proud to own all these years and i bought it new at Ł1,200.00 back in the day. It weighs around 10.9 kg (24 lbs) and is as fresh as the day I bought it.
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#168
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It's a well-known fact that one doesn't preclude the other and that this is a common argument from would-be gate keepers intent on keeping those, less experienced and/or fit than themselves, from enjoying better equipment than themselves, all on the grounds that they haven't "earned it."
i wasn’t making such an argument but merely stating that with the poster being fearful of carbon (especially since his intention was to purchase a cheap Chinese Carbon bike) that perhaps aluminium might be the best choice
for him if he couldn’t afford a brand bike.
I did also suggest a 2nd hand Carbon might be a better option.
I personally dont hold with any position that alludes to individuals having to “earn” the right to ride any bike they choose to and despite the fact that I’m riding a 2nd hand 11 year old bike (albeit a classic) I would buy a tricked up super bike tomorrow if I could afford it.
as I’ve said to a previous response to me (albeit he later got back to say he was teasing me) I did not set out to offend or patronise anyone.
regards
Scott
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Lol - OP deleted all of his posts in the thread (except for one that he presumably missed). Dunno why, it's not like they weren't already quoted up, down, and all around the thread. *shrug*
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#171
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#172
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this is what the 42 is all about
*EDIT Or 41. whatever.
*EDIT Or 41. whatever.
Last edited by growlerdinky; 04-13-21 at 03:16 PM. Reason: pay attention to the thread. stay on topic.
#173
Senior Member
Just when we thought we were getting out, it pulls us back in. Now we spend 10 pages arguing 41 vs road forum with a side of Doug Adams. Get your popcorn while it's hot, folks!
#175
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Hey
I wonder if the OP gave up and went out and bought a Skateboard (BTW - that’s not an invite to restart the thread on the merits of a carbon board v polypropylene v wood 😂😂😂........
I wonder if the OP gave up and went out and bought a Skateboard (BTW - that’s not an invite to restart the thread on the merits of a carbon board v polypropylene v wood 😂😂😂........
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