This frame is just amazing looking. I have loved the style of their bikes since 08 with the New wilson style. Using this split pivot just is amazing looking. Anyone riding this for 2012
This frame is just amazing looking. I have loved the style of their bikes since 08 with the New wilson style. Using this split pivot just is amazing looking. Anyone riding this for 2012
"they" always do.they claim a 35% increase in stiffness
I lol'd a little. One company goes carbon front triangle first and claims it's not worth it to go carbon out back (except on their WC riders) while another goes JUST carbon out back. These dudes just need to commit and go full retard!.... ...errr carbon!only the 'seatstay' is carbon
of course this is going to turn into another carbon vs aluminum endless argument, but done right, it appears carbon can be lighter, stiffer, stronger, more impact resistant, and easier to manipulate into complex forms than aluminum, at the expense of, well, greater expense. and the price differential between chinese carbon and aluminum (especially domestically produced) is getting smaller, so the carbon trend seems inevitable.Part of me wonders how much of a benefit all this carbon stuff really is, and how much of it is being done because cyclists are muppets and will buy anything if its marketed properly.
Carbon obviously has its benefits, but its got some hefty drawbacks too. I wonder if its just a perceived evolution, rather than actual, ya know?
This isn't a troll post btw, just a "hmmmm" sort of thing.
It's called China.Part of me wonders how much of a benefit all this carbon stuff really is, and how much of it is being done because cyclists are muppets and will buy anything if its marketed properly.
Carbon obviously has its benefits, but its got some hefty drawbacks too. I wonder if its just a perceived evolution, rather than actual, ya know?
This isn't a troll post btw, just a "hmmmm" sort of thing.
Crap may get exposed, but then they just bring out the next model, and the crap becomes irrelevant, as you're blinded by the next marketing campaign, and the possibilities they may have made the best bike for you..I don't see the problem. Crap will be exposed as such and we all get rad stuff to ride.
how often do you crash, ding an aluminum frame, and put it out with the soda cans?Carbon is still pretty much non recyclable.
omg.It's called China.
Hop on Alibaba Express and take a look at how anyone with a little savings or a small business loan can start importing quality carbon frames for cheap and start their own "brand". For those that don't want to by pallets/containers worth of bikes, you can still get a single frame marked up with the overseas shipping for $350.
Carbon is the next big thing because it is getting cheap to produce. That and the perceived benefits allow prices to be driven up which result in a better profit margin.
nailed it man....It's called China.
Hop on Alibaba Express and take a look at how anyone with a little savings or a small business loan can start importing quality carbon frames for cheap and start their own "brand". For those that don't want to by pallets/containers worth of bikes, you can still get a single frame marked up with the overseas shipping for $350.
Carbon is the next big thing because it is getting cheap to produce. That and the perceived benefits allow prices to be driven up which result in a better profit margin.
I'm with xy9ine. Name them. I'm going on a year and a half beating the sh!t out of a Santa Cruz carbon frame and have absolutely no problem saying it is at least, and probably far more durable than any aluminum bike I have owned. It's also the only bike I have refused to part with...Not going to name them, but one very popular carbon maker out here has seen a LOT of failures. Lots more than I knew about until talking to dealers.
See, its that whole "proven in the real world" statement that gets me. Not going to name them, but one very popular carbon maker out here has seen a LOT of failures. Lots more than I knew about until talking to dealers.
This is AGAIn not a troll, just an honest idea, but maybe bike companies are pushing carbon because they are getting cheaper to make, but pull a higher sale value? Carbon seems like an awesome material for building bikes, but maybe not bikes that see hard impacts like DH/ FR and even some all mountain setups? I dunno, just wondering if its a case of pushing it because it will sell, rather than an actual ideal solution, ya know?
ftfy.Why does every thread involving carbon fiber+DH bikes bring out the ludites?
To the extent that means staying current with advances in technology to remain competitive, sure.seems like "keeping up with the joneses" to me.
Oy! What's wrong with 4130?Or, should Lockheed have made this out of carbon steel, coton, twine and wood, and dh bikes still be made from 4130?
Incorrect....BTW, you've got some cheap old aluminum thing in your avatar.
to the best of my knowledge, no DH/trail bike manufacturer is using aerospace pre-preg like these 2 examples. they are using either wet layup or thermoplatsic injection molding. going to pre-preg will be the TRUE landmark in DH bike construction, but get prepared for $10k+ frames with that stuff.F1 uses it for their crash tubs because it is exceptionally stronger than using aluminum (weight to weight comparison), and they are certainly not using materials for perceived gains, but rather actual tested gains. They pretty much use it on the entire car from the tub to strut mounts and other bits. All chosen because they believe it’s the right material. The g-force loading on a rear strut mount is going to be pretty high.....
Aerospace is my ball game, and CF and composites are seeing a huge increase in use. Fighter jets use the stuff everywhere and it’s not just for weight savings (in some instances a part may end up as heavy), but also strength and longevity. Nothing done in my field is done because it’s marketable. It’s done because it’s accurate.