Carbon vs. Aluminum vs. Composite

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I'm looking at purchasing a new road bike. My main goals include some
minor racing, but mostly some major centuries and hill challenges this
summer.

What would people say are the real benefits of carbon, aluminum, and
composite bikes are? I know that aluminum is quite stiff and taking
bumps on it can be a less comfortable experience (I own an older Fuji
Al right now). But are carbon bikes really that much lighter, or is
it the added flex that really helps, but won't that decrease your own
power output if the frame flexes as you apply force? Don't stiff
bikes perform better on downhill sections because they are so much
stiffer?

 

[sally]

"[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote in news:1180539108.818711.3730
@o11g2000prd.googlegroups.com:
> What would people say are the real benefits of carbon, aluminum, and
> composite bikes are? I know that aluminum is quite stiff and taking
> bumps on it can be a less comfortable experience (I own an older Fuji
> Al right now). But are carbon bikes really that much lighter

The differences are much more complex than just frame material. Some
aluminum frames are very flexy. Tubing diameter and thickness and seat tube
angle and wheelbase make a huge difference in how harsh a frame rides. Tires
and wheels can make an even bigger difference. The "aluminum is super
stiff" myth mostly comes from cheap aluminum bikes that use thick, wide,
heavy tubing.