eric aldinger

>From my reading and discussions with slide rule types, carbon and aluminum
will both fail catastrophically given a deep gouge in the material. Neither
is better at withstanding this type of damage. However, given a blunt impact
with something like a tree, rock, or rider, metal will dent where carbon
shatters. In this respect some find metal frames more reliable.

Carbon and steel can both be repaired. In Portland we have so many skilled
frame builders it is easy to get your steel frame repaired with quality
craftsmanship. I think most people used to send carbon frames to Calffee for
repair. However Portland based Ruckus Componants does cabon repairs as well.
http://www.calfeedesign.com/howtosendrepair.htm
http://www.ruckuscomponents.com/blog

Aluminum tends to be hard to repair.

Troll this site for a bit. If this carnage does not bother you, and you
would rather spend cash on frame rather than a bicycle vacation in Vietnam,
get a carbon frame.
http://www.bustedcarbon.com/

I own a carbon road bike and occasionally wish it were steel. I am sure I'd
feel the opposite if I had a steel frame. There is no winning.

Here is some tech info from a company that primarily sells carbon frames.
Biased, but interesting. I want to replace my absolutely great aluminum
hardtail frame with their unnecessary but cool carbon hardtail frame. It is
a pitty it only allows for 100mm of travel. That is so 2005.
http://www.ibiscycles.com/tech/technology/

On Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 6:25 PM, Devin Flynn wrote:

> I am looking for reasons why this would be a bad idea. I have a very nice
> steel frame geared cross bike that has made it a few season but several
> friends are bad influences and have me thinking about a carbon fiber
> cyclocross frame for next year. I love steel, and my steel frame weigh
> about 3.6 lbs so it isn't that heavy. I have a few frames I can get for a
> great deal so....give me horror stories please to help me stay with my
> current ride.
>
> Thanks
>
> Devin Flynn
> Cycling Blog: http://www.rcmt.blogspot.com
>
>
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>

--
iamerichearmeroar

Ben Fischler

The extra tonnage of steel is worth it purely based on the extra fitness it will surely generate. Think of how much weaker you'll be with a lighter frame. Carbon is unacceptable on that basis alone.

Happy 2010 to all.

[ ben.fischler@gmail.com ]

On Dec 31, 2009, at 6:25 PM, Devin Flynn wrote:

> I am looking for reasons why this would be a bad idea. I have a very nice steel frame geared cross bike that has made it a few season but several friends are bad influences and have me thinking about a carbon fiber cyclocross frame for next year. I love steel, and my steel frame weigh about 3.6 lbs so it isn't that heavy. I have a few frames I can get for a great deal so....give me horror stories please to help me stay with my current ride.
>
> Thanks
>
> Devin Flynn
> Cycling Blog: http://www.rcmt.blogspot.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Devin Flynn

I am looking for reasons why this would be a bad idea.  I have a very nice steel frame geared cross bike that has made it a few season but several friends are bad influences and have me thinking about a carbon fiber cyclocross frame for next year.  I love steel, and my steel frame weigh about 3.6 lbs so it isn't that heavy.  I have a few frames I can get for a great deal so....give me horror stories please to help me stay with my current ride. 
 
Thanks

Devin Flynn
Cycling Blog: http://www.rcmt.blogspot.com