Carbon suddenly breaks, steel gently bends.Originally Posted by Gambatte
Carbon suddenly breaks, steel gently bends.
"...as dry as the Atacama desert".
My bike mechanics said exactly the opposite. Dunno if he's right.
And you can always get some local metal worker to bend it, weld it back into shape after you have dropped it!
Pete Shakespeare - U/A
Going downhill fast
You need a better mechanic Gambatte!
Simon Blease
Monmouth
Yes, it is probably true that metal is more repairable than carbon.
But... 1) carbon can be repaired too, and 2) what's the likelihood that frame or fork get damaged, I've been cycling for almost 45yr and this hasn't yet happened to me...
There's more kinds of steel than just 'steel' of course. I've had a few different frame materials and prefer steel for my tourer (now 753) and carbon for my road bike. The extra weight of steel makes little difference to a loaded touring bike but getting on my carbon road bike after riding the tourer is very pleasant. I find the steel tourer a very comfortable ride but an earlier tourer I had in 501 was a bit numb (and I had a scare on a fast descent when the frame decided to start flexing a bit....).
I've also had ALU - it was fine but personally I find decent steel and carbon better.
As usual, snags arise in any perfect plan. When Nick at Honeysucklewood contacted light blue they had no Robinson frames in my size till spring. But he did have a Darwin bike in the shop in my size, all kitted out as a tourer. So he is now busy pulling that apart to rebuild it to my preferred spec with a 50/34 and 34/11 chainset, disc brakes with Tioga bars and Ergon grips. I gave it a spin around the block before he started stripping it and the frame felt lovely. That and the bigger tyres gave a very plush ride.
Simon Blease
Monmouth
Bike has arrived. I wanted something as fast as my current road bike but with better comfort and brakes.
The results are in. There is an 8 mile loop from from my house. Single track, poorly maintained country lanes. 1000ft of climb. The times for my bikes are as follows.
Scott full suspension MTB with 26 inch wheels. 42 minutes
Scott alloy/carbon racing bike with triple front ring. 37 minutes
Light Blue Darwin with flat bars, gravel wheels/tyres. 37 minutes
I am so pleased. I have got what I wanted. A comfortable bike that does not sacrifice speed.
Simon Blease
Monmouth
Right choice and worth waiting for 👍.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote