Where is the best place to have carbon on a bike? Assuming a non carbon frame, what parts would you make carbon first: handlebars, stem, seat post, fork, rear triangle?
From what I have heard so far, in order of most benefit (to ride quality) to least:
-Fork
-Seat Post
-Handlebar/Stem
-Rear Triangle
-bcreager
every where there is not carbon you should get carbon.
I need more carbon and I can never get enough. It looks so fast even though I am not.
My preference:
Fork,
Seatpost,
Seastays,
And then only carbon handlebars if you have the carbon seatstays. (Otherwise stick with alloy.)
Also note, a carbon seat really has no place on an aluminum bike.
Carbon headset spacers are fine.
Carbon stems are overrated. A nice matte black one will usually suffice.
Carbon wheels are good on anything.
Carbon bar tape is not actually “carbon bartape.”
Use carbon cranks more or less to taste.
Carbon seat posts… Hmm… Nah. I’ll take a Thomson Masterpiece any day of the week. Just as comfortable, more adjustable, never slips. Quite possibly the best built cycling component you can buy. I wish I had one on my tri bike…
I agree with everything else, more or less in that order, though I would add that a carbon fork should come with a carbon steer tube, though aluminum drop outs are fine. Also, I have no problem with the FSA carbon cranks, but you need the MegaXO BB.
I wasn’t saying any of those are necessarily the best specific component, I was just posting the higherarchy for upgrading/swapping to carbon.
Carbon headtube spacers tend to expand, not a good idea. Ask Tom D.
Why no carbon seat on an aluminum bike? Do they not “mesh” well? Just curious, it will be on a steel bike anyways.
Where do carbon rails on your seat fall in order? About the same as a carbon seatpost?
Glad I am asking before I order a bike, as its probable very difficult to add carbon seat stays to a bike afterward. The upgrade to a rear carbon triangle is about as much as a set of carbon bars
-bcreager
Personally, I’d probably stear clear of most carbon rails. (Fashionably it doesn’t matter, but I just don’t trust them.) I’d stick to steel/titanium. Not a part you want to worry about breaking.
Carbon seats are for weight weenies who no longer have the ability to “raise the mast.” A carbon shell is one thing, but a full carbon seat should be reserved for impotent roadies. I’ll bet a classic concor would look nice on a steel bike.
On a steel bike, I’m gonna say seatstays are your call.
Seatstays might be a good place to save the cash on, and spend more on wheels.
I am confused on carbon cranks though. Isn’t carbon suppose to “soak up more bumps”, or is it suppose to be “stiffer then everything else”. So a seat post will make the ride more comfy, and cranks will be stiffer???
-bcreager
"So a seat post will make the ride more comfy, and cranks will be stiffer???’
That’s the rumor. It’s often up for debate. though.
I just got a steel frame w/ a carbon seat stay (Serotta CX II CS). I was skeptical about the stay, but my LBS strongly recommended it. Now, I am very glad I got it. The bike is ridiculously smooth-smooth like an all carbon bike, but w/ the zip/liveliness of steel. It is even more comfortable than my ti road bike w/a carbon seat post. Based on that limited experience, I think the stay will have a bigger impact than the post.
I have heard bad stories about carbon stems and handlebars.
That just happens to be the bike I am looking at, and trying to decide if I want the carbon stays, or just the steel ones. My fit recommended them, but also said there is enough bike (57ish frame) that the steel will still do a good job of making the ride plush.
Haven’t heard many good things about the carbon stems…mixed reaction to the handlebars. Gloves are way cheaper though
-bcreager
The bike rocks. I will never get a non-custom bike again. After years of suffering to ride w/aero-bars, now I can stay in my aero bars all day long. I am sure you will love it with or w/o the carbon stays.
post some pixs if your got 'em…hard to find pics of serotta bikes online. Well, besides the serotta forum, lots of high end ti bikes there though
-bcreager
I will try to post some pics (when I figure out how to do that) along with a review. The bike is really beautiful if I do say so myself-they do a great job on the paint. Mine is sunset w/slate eliptical panels. It’s really striking- the panels look like liquid.
The irony of it all…same bike I am looking at, and same color, Sunset. Though I haven’t decided on the panels yet, might just do the logo in black or slate…eventhough sunset bike with black flames would look KILLER!
To post pics, you need to host them somewhere. I got a free account at photobucket.com. Then, you just put a link to the picture in your post. Make sure you are using IE and the advanced editor
-bcreager
Part of what makes carbon stiff vs. complacent is how it’s layed in the manufacturing process. Or so I’ve heard!
Myself, I wouldn’t trust carbon seatposts, stems or handlebars. I’ve read about/seen too many failures/problems for me to shell out the extra bucks when a trusty aluminum job, weighing just slightly more, will do a good job. Go with the carbon fork and stays. Go with carbon cranks only if you have a stiff bottom bracket, and have the output to require it (i.e., bigger, more powerful ride) otherwise it’s wasted money from a performance standpoint.
Chris
I’d like a carbon chain. That would be cool.
-Colin
FWIW worth, I have ridden a friend’s CXII that didn’t have carbon seat stays and I found the ride to be a bit rough. The bike is about a 50 or 52, so your 57 may well be more “complaint” in all steel, but compared to my all-carbon size 50 Calfee, the ride was noticeably harsher. Haven’t tried a CXII with stays.
I have carbon bars, but only because Easton had the shape I wanted. All things equal, I’d stay away from carbon bars (as mentioned above, too many horror stories). As long as you have a carbon fork, I would guess that your wheel choice and tire pressure will have far more impact on vibration than the material of your bars.
Whoa, 50 that seems tiny, you are one of the ones that kill me on the hills, and the flats, and the rolling hills. Gravity helps me on the downhill!
Could you tell any difference in bb flex between the carbon and steel? I am guessing the bigger frame will have a beefier BB. But the Carbon bikes always seem to have more material in that area then the steel bikes
-bcreager