The Cycling Thread

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Something to do with the fibres absorbing the road buzz that alu transmits I think.

Carbon is actually stiffer than alu, depending on how the carbon is laid down on the frame, and that can be tuned around the areas it needs.

Alu needs big thin fat tubes to be stiff, early alu frames used similar tube dimensions to steel and were too flexi in the wrong places

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But Ti frames are supposed to be the best for all day comfort, and don't corrode or degrade like the other materials.

A good Ti frame will last a lifetime, but expensive, as the material is hard to work with.

I see, that makes sense then. I'm going to have a complete rethink now then. I always assumed carbon was for the mega rich, i looked at a specialized roubaix and it was 2k! I can spec one of those ribbles with a sram rival groupset for £1300, brilliant. My current roadbike makes my hands tingle and back hurt after a while so i know comfort can be improved a lot!

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Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

My current roadbike makes my hands tingle and back hurt after a while so i know comfort can be improved a lot!

Mitts or gloves with gel can help with tingling hands, or gel bar tape.

But since I've had bikes with carbon forks, I don't have any problems with tingling hands.

Sore back can be down to your position, might pay to have a bike fit somewhere before you buy your new bike, some Specialized dealers have the full set up, but other independents do the same service.

Well, i have the BG gel mitts and a carbon seatpost and forks. I've changed the stem for a shorter one and have upgraded to a body geometry seat as well. I may have got a seat thats too wide though, went for a 155 on the advice of one shop and another measured me for a 145, so that's tweakble too.

Are van nicholas bikes generally well thought of? they look lovely.

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Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

Are van nicholas bikes generally well thought of? they look lovely.

Yes, bloody lovely

I'm just trying to work out which is their do it all road comfort bike, it may be the mistral. I love how i'm edging closer and closer to the 2k mark,

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As someone said to me, you wouldn't think twice about paying £2k for an old banger of a car, but a bike?

But they are worth it

Well, i could just steadily upgrade me allez, but.

I'd be better off getting something light that can be upgraded in the future. As upgrading the allez would be a waste of cash. I take it titanium frames just live forever, whereas carbon from what i've read wears a bit.

I best have an ebay clearout to raise some cash. got lots of bits to sell for me hornet that are brand new.

Theres a good test in cycling + this month, top 25 bikes up to 2.5K iirc, might be worth having a look