Carbon Fiber vs Aluminum vs Steel vs Titanium

BY LEE AGUR /  TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2013 

What is the real difference between carbon fiber vs aluminum vs steel vs titanium… What are the Pros and Cons of each material?

Carbon Fiber

Most high-end bikes are made from this material and for good reason:

Pros

• Lightest material
• Strongest material
• Stiffest material
• Best shock absorption
• Infinitely mouldable to any design
• Flexible where it needs to be
• Won’t rust or corrode like steel

Cons

• Expensive
• Not all carbon is created equal
• Can crack/fracture
• Strength and stiffness depend on design

Aluminum

Many entry level bikes are made from aluminum because it can be made stiff and light enough for a great ride.

Pros

• Light
• Strong
• Stiff
• Mouldable
• Great for climbing and sprinting
• Won’t rust or corrode
• Less expensive than carbon fiber

Cons

• Harsh on rough roads
• Can fatigue over time (Leads to overbuilding which adds to weight)
• Not easily repaired
• Weak joints

Steel

Steel will last a life time. It is also the easiest to repair, making it a great bike for touring.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Strong
• Flexes enough for a soft ride
• Most durable of all the materials
• Lively feel
• Easy to work with and repair

Cons

• Heavy
• Rust/corrosion
• Flexes too much for racing

Titanium

Titanium is a metal that takes aspects from aluminum and steel… better shock absorption that aluminum but not quite as light.

Pros

• Bullet proof
• Its density is between that of steel and aluminum which makes it stiff but shock absorbing
• Lively feel
• Shock absorbing
• Does not corrode

Cons

• Expensive
• Difficult to make aero shapes due to welding considerations
• Difficult to repair
• Stiffness is traded for lightweight

My Preferences…

I have at least one bike made out of every material. I use carbon fiber bikes the most; but here are the exceptions:

Winter riding - I use an aluminum frame as I do not want to ruin my more expensive carbon fiber frames, but still want a bike that climbs fast.

Downhill Mountain Bike – I like my titanium frame. I feel indestructible going downhill.

Touring – I would use a steel frame due to the ease of repairs and dependability.

I realize not everyone is fortunate enough to have such a wide selection of bikes and price point is always a factor. If you are just getting into cycling then most of the time a carbon fiber frame is not necessary. My first bike was aluminum and it was fantastic. I still have it… and I still ride it.

Each material has different qualities keep them in mind when you go to purchase your next ride.

Get out and ride your Bicycle!

Welcome to Spring (finally!!)

There are many exciting biking events in our area and I would like to start out with information and resources to help you get out and on your bike as the weather warms up!

May is both National Bike to Work Month, as well as National Bike Safety Month, and CentreBike has a handful of events to celebrate the start of another warm-weather cycling season.

You may be wondering who or what is CentreBike?

Here is a link to their website and this is their mission statement.

CentreBike is a 501(c) organization, founded in 2000, to help facilitate the vision of a more cycle-friendly community in the greater State College area. We are a coalition of cyclists working for cyclists, with the goal of promoting bicycling as a means of recreation and transportation.

CentreBike will be sponsoring “Commuter Coffee Fridays” and will offer free coffee to commuting cyclists every Friday morning in May at a different location around Downtown State College. You’ll also have the opportunity to take a family-friendly bike ride with the Mayor, or attend a PennDOT press event about bicycle safety in the region.

·         Friday, 5/1, Commuter Coffee Fridays

·      Friday, 5/1, “Ask a Cyclist” Table all day at Allen Street Gates (and see our A2B(ike) page for online help)

·      Friday, 5/1 through Wednesday 9/30, The National Bike Challenge

·      Sunday, 5/3 The Linden Loop at the Rock Hill School
(not a CentreBike event, but helps support a bike rest stop at the school)

·      Tues-Weds, 5/5-5/6 Make a donation to CentreBike during the CentreGives Campaign

·      Friday, 5/8, Commuter Coffee Fridays + Group Photo at Old Main Steps

·      Friday 5/8, PennDOT Bicycle Press Conference at Old Main Steps

·      Friday 5/15, Commuter Coffee Fridays

·      Saturday 5/16, Spring Bike Ride with the Mayor

·      Friday 5/22, Commuter Coffee Fridays

·      Friday 5/29, Commuter Coffee Fridays

Other cycling events in the State College area for May include:

·         Tuesday – 5/5, State College Cycling group ride, Circleville park – 6pm

o   Different levels(speeds) are offered each week so don’t worry about being left behind! And starting in June there is a slow and easy ride on Thursday nights.

·         Tuesday – 5/12 State College Cycling group ride, Fairbrook park – 6pm

·         Friday, Saturday and Sunday – 5/15-17 Raystown Dirtfest mountain bike festival

·         Sunday – 5/17 Nittany Mountain bike group ride at Cooper’s Gap

·         Tuesday – 5/19 State College Cycling group ride, Mt. Nittany School – 6pm

·         Tuesday – 5/26 State College Cycling group ride, Bernell Park – 6pm

·         5/24 – 5/30 – Transylvania Epic weeklong mountain bike race

o   Don’t want to race? There are volunteer opportunities. (and then I like to ride some of the trails after I am done with my duties!)

·         Sunday 5/31 Bestwick Foundation Spring Ride 2015. Short and long course with lots of good food and beer afterwards.

It can be scary showing up for a group ride for the first time, but don’t worry everyone is very friendly and we love adding to our group. When you arrive, ask who the ride leader is and introduce yourself. The ride leader can tell you the route and give you a cue sheet. (road names, turns and mileage for that night’s ride)

If you are new to cycling you may want to start at a slower paced group at first just to see how things work and then adjust the next week based on how the ride went for you.

When riding on the road, the average speed is used to determine the grouping.

AA – 20+

A – Average speed of 18-20

BB – Average speed of 16-18

B – Average speed of 14-16, sometimes there is also a B+ (they go a little faster)

C – Average speed of 10-14

D – Average speed 8-10 (Thursday nights, see below)

Thursday Slow and Easy Rides (June and July, Haymarket Park @ 6:00pm)

Whether you’re just getting started in the sport and want to learn to ride with a group or you’re returning to the sport after some time away.

                                                               

In my next post I’ll address some tips for riding in a group and how to stay safe and upright.

Until then keep the rubber side down! (Be safe)

Mary Ann