high-end Al or low-end carbon?

[[email protected]]

Hi all,

I started riding roadbikes 2 years ago, after 20 yrs of nordic skiing
and racing. Back then I got myself a Felt F70 for $1K and, as I was
learning, ended up ugrading it (all 105) with Ultegra-Dura Ace and
Ksyrium SSC SLs. I am 175 lbs and 6", and I like mashing gears going
uphill, so I appreciated the stiff ride of the Ksyriums and of the Al
frame. I was happy with my old good Felt F70.

The F70 got stolen last week and I am on the market again. I am looking
for a stiff frame which would preferentially have a lifetime warranty,
with at least a full ULtegra. 9 speed components are fine. Ti is not an
option, tried it, too soft. So I figured I would stick with Felts. I am
trying to fit into the 2K range. Felts come in Aluminum up to F55
($1.7K) and then become carbon at F4C. So the question is - what's
better, a low-end carbon frame, or high-end Al frame? Better means
stiff and break-resistant. I Don't care about weight. BTW what is
low-end carbon frame? Felt says F4C is 3 layer carbon while higher end
felts are 2 layer carbon. Is that all the difference?

These are the specs for F4C. http://www.feltracing.com/06/06_bikes/f4c/
WHeels suck, the rest looks fine, except that carbon frame which I
know nothing about.

 

[gds]

Gee, you wanted to make this post.'
Judging by your recnet post on RB Misc I'd suggest you spend your $$ on
a data base so you can figure out where to live first. That way your
new bike won't get stolrn.

 

[[email protected]]

my wireless router sucks, sorry.

I know where I want to live, thanks.

 

[gds]

OK, so then don't you think that you can answer your own question.
You have already decided on a brand frame --Felt.
And you already know what gruppo type you want.
And you have a price point.

So, my suggestion is to go to your local Felt dealer, try the frames in
question and but the one you like best. Both Al and Carbon are fine
materials and in the end it will be a matter of what YOU like best.

 

[Vader]

It is not whether the frame is "high end aluminium" or "low end carbon
fibre" or titanium or steel or wet noodles. It is whether a
*particular* frame feels right for you. All of the afrementioned
materials (well, not the noodles) can be made "too soft" or "too stiff"
.. The stiffness has nothing to do with the material--it has to do with
the geometry. Tubing with a small diameter is not as stiff as big
diameter tubing.

If you don't have a history of riding, but know how you want the bike
to feel, then there is only one way to go about this: go to a shop (s)
and try out bikes!

 

[[email protected]]

[email protected] wrote:

>
> These are the specs for F4C. http://www.feltracing.com/06/06_bikes/f4c/
> WHeels suck, the rest looks fine, except that carbon frame which I
> know nothing about.

given the two choices you mention i would pick the alu one with the
better parts, no question about it.

-Amit

 

[[email protected]]

I ended up getting the F55 - Al with carbon forks and carbon seatpost,
with full Dura Ace, and I upgraded the wheels to Mavic SL. I am totally
happy about the choice I made. It all came to around just above 2K
(since I bought 2 bikes from that shop before).