Carbon Fiber Mountain Bike Frame Vs Aluminum

Carbon however rules supreme in this area.

Carbon fiber mountain bike frame vs aluminum.

The primary difference between carbon and aluminum comes down to weight and ride quality. When it comes to the strength to weight ratio few materials can come close to carbon fiber. When you re riding a carbon fiber frame that has been designed with this in mind you can add a tremendous amount of power to your ride by transferring this energy to the back wheel. The transition smuggler aluminum frame sells for 1999 while the carbon version sells for 2999 a 1000 difference.

It has a significant meaning especially for cross country racers where the weight and stiffness will result in razor sharp ultra responsive ride. Carbon fiber frames are more expensive than steel or aluminum. 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. 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.

Most manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty on carbon frames. Carbon fiber doesn t exhibit this type of crack propagation. A carbon frame will almost always be lighter than an aluminum equivalent. The aluminum santa cruz bronson frame sells for 1999 while the carbon cc version sells for 3299.

It s possible to build very light and capable bikes out of either aluminum or carbon. Carbon fiber doesn t dampen bumps or vibrations like steel or titanium can. That s a 1300 difference. High failure rate carbon fiber frames are more likely to fail than steel aluminum or titanium.

No as aluminum has a grain structure that can propagate cracks if surface damage occurs. Aluminum frames possess the shortest fatigue life of any material used to manufacture bicycle frames. The typical aluminum frame possesses a life expectancy of five to 10 years. Quality carbon fibre offers 2 to 5 times more rigidity than aluminium and steel of the same weight.

But the stiffer doesn t always mean better even for competitive riders. 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. Less comfortable ride because the material is so rigid the ride may feel harsher.

Low end bikes made using cheap carbon frames are not necessarily better than aluminum frame bikes. Yes as carbon is obviously a softer material than aluminum so damage can occur due to direct contact with rocks or the ground more easily.