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I had a shot on a friend's carbon MTB over the weekend. I was amazed at the weight and direct acceleration. One downside was the feeling of getting pushed around a bit more, i.e the path of the bike seems more easily altered by the terrain?
Considering n+1 this has got me thinking about the possibility of my next hardtail being a carbon frame. I have always had steel or alu hardtails in the past. Quite frankly I think carbon frames look pretty ugly but I may be prepared to overlook that for the benefits offered. They also look super delicate and prone to scratching and/or (unfixable) damage?
Can anyone who knows more about carbon frames educate me some more on the downsides?
The only downside for me is the cost, it's lighter, looks better (if done properly) and is far more repairable than alloy and steel, again, at a cost though.
I have to agree, the first thing I noticed when I got my Bronson - I owned an alloy Capra and alloy Spectral 29 at the time - was the acceleration, it absolutely flies - up, over and down!.
Hardtail? Transition Throttle. Oh man, I demo'ed one and it was one of the most fun bikes I've ridden. If I didn't have N+12 already, I'd have one. I think the frames are on sale at the mo too...
Didn't feel "getting pushed around" or any of that when I rode it. Just wooooooo!
Not ugly neever!
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[url= https://dirtragmag.com/articles/transition-throttle-review ]good review[/url]
Funny you should say that Dez. Being over 6ft and probably more on the trail/ XC riding side of things it was a Vanquish I was looking at.
Yeah, I didn't try the 29 - as a dedicated 29er rider, I would have that if the 27.5er hadn't been so good 🙂
They make you buy a Ti one.
The only downside for me is the cost, it’s lighter, looks better (if done properly) and is far more repairable than alloy and steel, again, at a cost though.
Nah, nothing looks better than steel imo and how is anything easier to repair than steel? Genuine question.
This will make me sound crazy too, but I’ve never liked really light bikes. There’s something strangely reassuring about a bike with a bit of weight behind it when you’re barrelling down a rocky descent. You also know you can crash in spectacular fashion and the bike will just laugh it off. I’m looking at you old Cotic Bfe and Transition Trans AM. I used to feel sorry for the scenery when I’d crash those two
Wot the bloke above said
Carbon frames are just betterer. Only downside is cost.
I don't care about 1x, or Eagle or Puke or Lyrics or shocks or any of that toss but the frame's gotta be carbon
I’ve never liked really light bikes
Throttle isn't particularly light - 1500g frame. Built to be tough
As tough as the Trans AM 🧐
For the frame price I’d expect a full bike too. I’ll admit it’s nice looking though.
how is anything easier to repair than steel?
No heat treat required.
Just to add to the mix of voices, you may (or may not) want to take into account the environmental aspect. Of no question is that CF isn't recyclable, both steel and alu are. Secondly, and a bit less easy to prove, is the poorer environmental conditions that CF workers are likely to have to endure. Do your own investigation on both these subjects if your interested in either, but in my mind definitely worth considering.
and how is anything easier to repair than steel? Genuine question.
Depends how handy you are with a welder Vs Resin and fabric I suppose, but IME repairing a carbon frame is probably easier.
But the Cost is a significant factor, personally from a cost/weight/likelihood of it taking a knock perspective I think Aluminium and steel still makes good sense for MTBs.
Not got any experience of them but I hear lots of stories on here about them getting damaged. Only the odd story about alloy cracking and non for steel. I'd avoid.
Only the odd story about alloy cracking and non for steel.
Really?
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/steel-frame-crack-on-rear-of-whyte-19-am-i-right/
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/seat-tube-compression-slot-cracks-in-steel-framethoughts/
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/go-on-show-us-your-repaired-steel-frames/
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/broken-steel-framehow-much-is-it-worth/
Fair enough. Still does not explain relatively new carbon frames with bad damage and cracks. I get the feeling that alloy and steel do not fail prematurely as much as carbon does, but through fatigue mostly. Maybe it's just me and I am wrong but I do not like the idea of carbon much.
My carbon DIY repair https://peter.windridge.org.uk/home/carbon-bicycle-frame-repair with no specialist tools . Was just for fun and I assumed it would break quickly but have been racing this frame at Beastway (until a football injury last month) and done blacks at Cannock, CyB etc..
I cracked an old Mount Vision to (replaced with a new mount vision rather than repaired that one)
this is exactly why I should not look at this website 🙁
Did someone mention Vanquish 😉
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That does look nice. How much did it cost to build though?
Depends how handy you are with a welder Vs Resin and fabric I suppose, but IME repairing a carbon frame is probably easier.
But the Cost is a significant factor, personally from a cost/weight/likelihood of it taking a knock perspective I think Aluminium and steel still makes good sense for MTBs.
It’s the cost element that gets me (being a Yorkshire man) along with the finished look. Steel is cheap to repair and make look good. Imo steel is still the best bike material. Tough, simple and pretty, just like me!