Carbon vs Aluminium Frame Smashfest

[Dave_S]

This link is worth a look if your are wondering whether carbon frames can stand abuse as well as aluminium ones. These tests probably wouldn't pass muster as a serious "scientific" analysis, but they make for damned good viewing.

Santa Cruz Bicycles - Test Lab - Pinkbike.com (http://www.pinkbike.com/news/santa-cruz-bicycles-test-lab.html)

I'm thinking my next MTB might be a Pivot Mach 5.7 carbon, or something from the Santa Cruz range.

[weeds]

just got back from NZ and the lads were drooling over a Blur TRC in a bike shop

http://www.santacruzmtb.com/blurtr_carbon/#description.php

[Dave_S]

A group of us went to Roto in 2010. Frame prices were very reasonable - almost bought a Chameleon.

[Psimpson7]

Ive been running a Carbon framed full suspension Scott Strike Limited since 2002 (maybe 2003) and it still hasn't broken, even with the amout of crashes I have! *

Over the years I have done a lot of K's and a lot of mtb races on it. I wouldnt ride anything else apart from carbon nowdays, although having said that I wouldn't use carbon bars or seatpost.

I will most likely upgrade at the end of this year, but it will be another Carbon Scott, most likely a Genius LT10 I think.

My other half also rides a Carbon Scott, this time a Genius 30. That isnt very old yet though (couple of months)

* I did however have a Scott Strike Team for about 3 weeks just prior to Scott giving me the Limited frame set which did break. It split the top tube for about an inch along the middle infront of the seatpost. They replaced it straight away with no questions atall, and said from memory it must have been a build defect.

[Dave_S]

I have to agree with that. Carbon frame definitely, but not post or bars. They are probably fine, but there is just that nagging little doubt...:o

[isuzurover]

I have to agree with that. Carbon frame definitely, but not post or bars. They are probably fine, but there is just that nagging little doubt...:o

Yes - the mode of failure is important. The Al frame starts to plastically deform at ~1000 lb. After that you can see minor deformation before it bends well and truly. Even then, you could probably still ride it back to the car.

The carbon frame starts to crack (can hear it on the vid) at ~1400 lb if not earlier. However it would likely appear fine, right up until it fails catastrophically.

Bec's bike has a carbon seatpost and bar... Might change them for her one day...

I also would be happy to run a carbon frame though.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I reckon if I had the skills and did a lot of MTB I'd definitely go for a carbon bike and I wouldn't worry about it.

But I'm a hopeless newbie so an alloy frame is just fine for me.

Having said that with dual suspension on MTB and the nature of the beast in that most people stand up in the rough stuff anyway the ride smoothing aspect of carbon isn't such a big aspect as it is in the road bikes.

I had my first crash on Saturday and scratched up the bike a bit but I guess it doesn't matter. :)

[110 Pete]

This link is worth a look if your are wondering whether carbon frames can stand abuse as well as aluminium ones. These tests probably wouldn't pass muster as a serious "scientific" analysis, but they make for damned good viewing.

Santa Cruz Bicycles - Test Lab - Pinkbike.com (http://www.pinkbike.com/news/santa-cruz-bicycles-test-lab.html)

I'm thinking my next MTB might be a Pivot Mach 5.7 carbon, or something from the Santa Cruz range.

Interesting test. I ride a Giant Anthem Advanced X sl0 and a new carbon XTC 29er race them pretty hard (Nationals etc, I know its not DH) and have never broken a frame, I have had some pretty hard landings and bent a few wheels but never cracked a carbon frame.

Regarding the Pivot, buy a Giant Trance X Advanced SL0:wasntme:

Oh and I have seen alloy bars snap clean off:eek: its not pretty. But i have seen carbon ones snap as well. Easton Monkey bars were a major culprit of catastrophic faliure. I ride with Ritchey Superlogics and love them, dont feel at all weak and responsive and if they snap well i will crash and hope for the best.

Cheers

Pete

Ride Life. Ride Giant.

[isuzurover]

...

Regarding the Pivot, buy a Giant Trance X Advanced SL0:wasntme:

...

Best not mention the G word in front of Dave...

[rick130]

[snip]

Easton Monkey bars were a major culprit of catastrophic faliure.

[snip]
Cheers

Pete

Ride Life. Ride Giant.

Geezus, don't tell me that, I always thought that Easton's carbon stuff was bullet proof.

I have an old Monkey Lite bar on my ride, and I've only just recovered from my last prang, four months ago :eek:

[110 Pete]

Geezus, don't tell me that, I always thought that Easton's carbon stuff was bullet proof.

I have an old Monkey Lite bar on my ride, and I've only just recovered from my last prang, four months ago :eek:

Haha sorry mate,

Just regularly check them for cracks etc or any spot that looks stressed, eg. around the stem.

Hope your recovering ok.

Cheers

Pete

[110 Pete]

Best not mention the G word in front of Dave...

They are better than SC :wasntme:.
But Seroiusly they are all good bikes and I'm a fan of both.

Cheers

Pete

[Marmoset]

I never felt the need to use a torque wrench on the bike until I got some carbon bars, it's scary how overtight everything was beforehand. I think the key to carbon ownership is not to create stress raising points like overtight stem/shifters/brakes.

[Dave_S]

They are better than SC :wasntme:.
But Seroiusly they are all good bikes and I'm a fan of both.

Cheers

Pete

Yep, no more Giants for me, but that's probably superstition as much as anything. :twisted:

[110 Pete]

I never felt the need to use a torque wrench on the bike until I got some carbon bars, it's scary how overtight everything was beforehand. I think the key to carbon ownership is not to create stress raising points like overtight stem/shifters/brakes.

Torque wrench is the best tool you can have for a carbon bike!

[rick130]

Torque wrench is the best tool you can have for a carbon bike!

A tension wrench (and anti-seize) is invaluable on any bike IMO.

I was lucky when I got back into cycling @ 2000 that I had a lb/in tension wrench already.