why buy carbon mountain bike | EWIG

When people have the plan to buy a bicycle, they will think about the quality of the bike, it should buy carbon frame or others, and which groupset should you choose? What are the important factors to consider? Some say it’s even better to buy a cheap carbon frame mountain bike than an aluminum frame bike, while others insist that cheap carbon frame bikes aren’t worth your money and you should stick with metal on a tight budget. We thought it best to provide a few of the key differences between carbon and aluminum bicycle frames before moving on.

 

Carbon VS Aluminum

 

Carbon fiber mountain bike

Carbon fiber is a very strong material, otherwise, it wouldn’t be possible to build bikes out of them! Carbon fiber sometimes has the reputation of not being particularly strong, however, in reality, its strength-to-weight ratio is actually higher than steel. How stiff a frame comes down to how it is manufactured. Manufacturers can make an aluminum frame stiffer by adding material in specific places or using specific tube shapes, but due to the properties of aluminum (as a metal) this can be a difficult process and there is a limit to what can be done. When it comes to carbon fiber, however, it has the advantage of being far easier to ‘tune’. By changing the carbon layup or just the direction in which the carbon strands are laid, specific ride characteristics can be achieved. It can be made stiff in one specific direction or just in one specific spot.

A carbon mountain bike is more comfortable because carbon fiber frames can be layered in very specific ways, engineers are able to tune the frame to be stiff and comfortable. By layering fibers of carbon in a specific pattern, the frame can be laterally stiff and vertically compliant which is ideal for a bicycle. Furthermore, carbon tends to dampen vibration better than aluminum, simply because of its material properties adding to the comfort aspect.

A carbon mountain bike is lighter. For many riders, the weight of the bike is the primary concern. Having a lightweight carbon fiber bike makes climbing easier and can make the bike easier to maneuver. Whilst it’s possible to make a light bike out of either material when it comes to weight, carbon definitely has the advantage. A carbon fibre frame will almost always be lighter than an aluminum equivalent and you’ll only find carbon fiber bikes in the pro peloton, in part because of the weight benefits.

It’s worth noting that not all carbon fiber is equal and it’s possible that a low-grade carbon frame could weigh more than a high-end aluminum frame. Also of note is that components can add significant weight to a bike. 

Aluminum

Aluminum is cheaper to produce than carbon and is usually alloyed with other metals. It’s still lightweight compared to other metals and stiff. The main advantage of choosing aluminum over carbon is that you may find a higher-end bike in the same price range.

The main disadvantage of the aluminum frame is harsher ride, stiffness, and also being the manufacturer is restricted on being able to control the frame flex in comparison to carbon.

 DO I REALLY NEED A CARBON MOUNTAIN BIKE?

There’s no doubt that carbon fiber frame mountain bikes and other components can improve riding performance. But what does it mean for a weekend trail rider? Do you really need a carbon fiber mountain bike? 

As much as it might feel like the weight of the bike is seriously slowing you down on these steep uphills unless you are a competitive rider racing neck-and-neck, you will literally see no difference. You’ll make much better results by losing some weight in your body and improving fitness. Shoving off a couple of pounds of your bike is certainly not the most efficient way to chase speed. In my opinion, not being a competitive rider you won’t gain anything by riding a 2kg lighter bike. But, I guess if you have money to buy one and fix it when it breaks, it might be nice to have it.

One of the biggest benefits of carbon fiber frames mountain bike is that if you crack your frame in an accident or just notice a crack developing from heavy use, it can be repaired in most cases. In fact, carbon fiber frames are often easier to repair than metal frames. The repair process involves removing the damaged section and recreating that section with new carbon fiber. If the damage is minor, a simple patch can be used. When repaired correctly, the frame is as good as new.

 Ewig is the carbon mountain bike manufacturer who will guarantee the frames for a certain amount of time. If your frame cracks, you may be able to get it replaced for free. Be sure to check your warranty before going out and buying a new frame.

Final

Carbon mountain bike frames were once the preserve of super-expensive elite-end racing bikes, but with improved manufacturing techniques these amazing frames are now starting to become more widely available for the road rider who is chasing speed on a more realistic budget. A carbon mountain bike is lighter and it is the smoother, more comfortable rider. What even you are a professional rider or a non-competitive rider, the above point is very important for you. Where aluminum transfers vibration and shock through the bike, the carbon bike fork benefits from vibration damping qualities that give a smoother ride. If you’re not ready for a full carbon rig though, you can mitigate some of the vibration experienced from an alloy frame by fitting wider tires and choosing a bike with a carbon bike fork. So it is worth you have a carbon mountain bike.