Carbon Vs Aluminum Bike Frame Weight

A carbon fibre frame will almost always be lighter than an aluminium equivalent and you ll only find carbon fibre bikes in the pro peloton in part because of the weight benefits.

Carbon vs aluminum bike frame weight.

Carbon fibre can be relatively easily manipulated by designers to create frames with the particular balance of properties they want whether that s low weight comfort stiffness. It is hard to pin down a hard and fast rule about how much lighter a carbon frame is compared to an aluminum one. The primary difference between carbon and aluminum comes down to weight and ride quality. The quality of the frame will ultimately determine weight.

A well built lightweight aluminum frame could weigh less than an inexpensive carbon frame. Aluminium alloy frame as opposed to triple butted aluminum alloy. Ride quality is more noticeable on road frames than mountain frames with vibrations being damped by carbon more so than. For example a santa cruz bronson carbon frame may boast a 1 5 pound weight saving over the aluminum version while the carbon pivot switchblade might be 1 9 pounds lighter than the aluminum switchblade.

Carbon frames are usually a bit lighter than aluminum up to a pound for mountain frames and up to a half pound on road frames. In comparison an aluminum bike can get very close to that weight limit. It s worth noting that not all carbon fibre is equal and it s possible that a low grade carbon frame could weigh more than a high end aluminum frame. Great road bikes for under 1 000.

Greater strength to weight ratio quality aluminium bike frames are butted. Buy carbon if you want the lightest and stiffest road bike money can buy or because you want to go aero. A carbon frame with low end components can end up weighing the same or more than a nice aluminum frame with high end components. The most common bicycle frame material aluminum is known for being corrosion resistant fairly light though typically not as light as carbon fiber and having a high strength to weight ratio.

Pros and cons of carbon frame material. In general carbon fiber frames are lighter than aluminum frames. For the best bike for your dollar see if an aluminum.