Cheap carbon or Aluminum Frame

Jcyclist said:

Right now i ride a fuji aluminum/Carbon frame, But ive grown out of it. Im looking for eitheir a cheap carbon frame or a aluminum frame for racing.

What do you mean by "grown out of it"? Are you a young person who has actually changed size? Or are you now capable of things your current frame is not capable of itself?

its a 54 and i got it when i was 5'6 and now i am 5'11 and need a new frame

I'd go for cheap alu over cheap carbon. Some those cheap carbon frames look like they've been glued together with Tarzan Grip, and in 20 pieces. 🙂

Having said that, aluminium doesn't have to be cheap; you should be able to get a decent alu frame for under $500 US

531Aussie said:

I'd go for cheap alu over cheap carbon. Some those cheap carbon frames look like they've been glued together with Tarzan Grip, and in 20 pieces. 🙂

Having said that, aluminium doesn't have to be cheap; you should be able to get a decent alu frame for under $500 US

The aluminum frame wouldnt have to be cheap just the carbon frame

A high quality, but relatievly inexpensive AL frame would be the Cannondale CAAD8. I've seen them go new with fork on eBay for about $500.

Jcyclist said:

The aluminum frame wouldnt have to be cheap just the carbon frame

A cheap carbon frame is usually a terrible purchase. Also one that is unsuitable for racing. I have seen cheap carbon flex enough to change the gears on a bike. Also, unless you move to high-quality monocoque construction, it won't be that strong and the likelihood is alot of the fibres will be dyed glass fibres, not carbon.

The cheapest CF frame I would recommend, is something like This
But you may as well gothe extra $50 for This

I honestly cannot get enough of the metals. they are seriously underestimated and much better value for money than CF.

Jcyclist said:

Right now i ride a fuji aluminum/Carbon frame, But ive grown out of it. Im looking for eitheir a cheap carbon frame or a aluminum frame for racing.

How about used Ti. For my money, I would spend $500 for a good used Ti over the same money spent on new cheap carbon or Al since a $500 Al frame is not going to be 2.5 lb Scandium.

If you are ready to buy now, I actually saw this great deal on Cambria bike today. and it might be the right size for you:

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=20809

TST is based in WA state and makes Ti frames, golf clubs, and other Ti products for other brand names.

I would buy one, but I don't think the wife would appreciate me having a 5th bicycle right now since I don't have time to really ride the other 4.

John M said:

I would buy one, but I don't think the wife would appreciate me having a 5th bicycle right now since I don't have time to really ride the other 4.

They just don't get it...😉

Unbelievably said:

They just don't get it...😉

Haha