Carbon, Aluminium or steel frame...?

[gt1jackson]

Hey, I’m looking into buying a new xc race bike, I want something light, responsive and just plain kick ass...... I have been looking around and asking heaps off ppl their opinions on their bikes..... as they all seem to contradict each other I wanted to come to you guys and find out the facts......

Here is what I have heard....

Carbon (Scott scale)
Pros: Lighter, more responsive and just plain better than anything else u can get your hands on

Cons: extremely light in the back end making it not so easy to climb esp. out of the saddle.... (Is this true)

Alu (Cannondale scalpel, Giant xtc)
Pros: Tested and works perfect, fairly light

Cons: a thing of the past... bad for backs

Steel (jamis)
Pros: Responsive (apparently rides better than carbon... is that true?)

Cons: heavy ( I don’t think this is true because the jamis pro is a lil ova 10 kgs)

SO they are all my q's

Whats the best... give me ur view....

Cheers, Mj

[alpinestar12]

You missed out Titanium!!

Carbon
Advantages: really light with a bit of flex
Disadvantages: Dosen't last long, can look fine but be ready to break at any moment, snaps like a thin dry twig(doesn't bend)

Alooominium (sorry Aluminium)
Advantages: light, cheap
Disadvantages: fatigues and gets weak over a pretty short time

Steel
Advantages: forgiving, flexible
Disadvantages: Rusts, weighs a bit extra

TITANIUM:
Advantages: flexes nicely, quite light, lasts for ages
Disadvantages: Expensive

If I had the money, I would buy a Titanium hardtail:) ;)

[singlespeed01]

"Disadvantages: Dosen't last long, can look fine but be ready to break at any moment, snaps like a thin dry twig(doesn't bend)"

Ummm, interesting assessment of carbon!

I'd say for xc, if you're into hartails, then the Scale is the way to go.

I ride a Cannondale Scalpel, and it's great for smoothing out the bumps, while still giving a hardtail like ride.

Carbon is an amazing material that is tougher than most other things on the market. It's light, strong, dampens the vibrations commonly felt with alum frames, while still being very stiff.

Don't bag carbon!!!

[Cúl-Báire]

If I had moneys, which I do, just not for spending on bikes I would be looking at Titanium, or custom built Steel both have great ride qualities that can't be replicated in Carbon or alloy frames. Before you dump a shit load of money on some carbon frame beast I would consider the following....

Ti- Although expensive has a real give to the material, it lasts "for ever". Riding a nice Titanium bike is apparently similar to riding a soft tail. Ti frames are usually exquisitely crafted, and hence cost a lot due to the costs of working with the material.

Steel / Custom Steel- Steel also has a give to it, but unlike Titanium, it's more of a "Zing", it really takes the bumps off the trail and while it's no soft tail, it really does provide the extra comfort that Aluminum and Carbon can't, or at least doesn't. Steel is generally a bit heavier, and it does rust. But it's much cheaper to work with. And riding a well designed steel hard tail is like having a riding orgasm many times over

-Cul
*Misses his steel hard tail- despite having a billion dollar dualie* :cool:

[hdtvkss]

if your into custom steel or Ti check out www.thylacinecycles.com . they do some great shiznit, and at pretty damn good prices too. Warwick the owner is pretty passionate about his bikes and it shows in his work. ( and there Australian!)

[John U]

[QUOTE=Cúl-Báire]Ti- Although expensive has a real give to the material, it lasts "for ever". Riding a nice Titanium bike is apparently similar to riding a soft tail. Ti frames are usually exquisitely crafted, and hence cost a lot due to the costs of working with the material.


How would Ti Softtail go then cul? a moots YBB?

Baum in Melbourne do some nice looking frames too.

[Cúl-Báire]

Ti- Although expensive has a real give to the material, it lasts "for ever". Riding a nice Titanium bike is apparently similar to riding a soft tail. Ti frames are usually exquisitely crafted, and hence cost a lot due to the costs of working with the material.


How would Ti Softtail go then cul? a moots YBB?

There is always one in the bunch :rolleyes: I guess a Ti Softail, would go like a Titanium Soft tail :p

[k3n!f]

Phwoar! Love the look of some of those Thylacine bikes. Anyone have any idea how much the Scandium version of the Arete would be worth?

[gt1jackson]

So does anyone have a carbon bike....? iv been looking at the scott scale 20.. Iv heard they are nice but hard to climb... Is this true, cus there is not point having an xc bike that doesnt climb.. I have a scott Cr1 team roadie and that rides up the hills for you... but i can imagine tha back end in a hardtail would be really loose? can anyone shed some light

[hdtvkss]

Phwoar! Love the look of some of those Thylacine bikes. Anyone have any idea how much the Scandium version of the Arete would be worth?

shoot him an email, hes pretty quick with a reply, ive let him know about this thread so he may drop in.

[craigb]

culbaire said it all. steel is real and if you can get Ti well i say get it. steel may rust but i own 3 steel framed bikes all off roaders and none of em have rust. carbon is'nt weak if its done properly but it must be good quality. if your in melbourne i know of a bikeshop that has a small Ti bike for sale and if i had the money itd be in my shed. all depends on your budget as to what you will end up geting. i always said id never own 1 bit of carbon on my bikes now i have carbon rigid forks on one of them and trust them enough to use them offroad.

[arpit]

And riding a well designed steel hard tail is like having a riding orgasm many times over

And to think I used to be into girls... how foolish of me...

[gt1jackson]

Thanks for all the replies guys..... i think im gonna go a carbon frame... Im looking at the scott scale 20... it seems like it rips...im getting it mainly for racing.... does anyone have a scale that they dont like or wanna advise me otherwise?

[craigb]

do'nt know what state your in but there's a scott scale20 for sale on ftf.com.au its in melbourne but. do i even want to know what they are worth new?

[Grover]

if you're looking for racing you aren't gonna go wrong with the scale. and that one in melb on the ftf forums is an awesome deal - it's actually the victorian netti rep's (netti imports scott). it's cheap because he gets them cheap.

[Cúl-Báire]

And to think I used to be into girls... how foolish of me...

Yeah- Sorry folks, Cul is a bit antsy at the moment with the missus being in Tasmania - bikes is all I have :rolleyes: :eek: :rolleyes: