Re: Carbon vs. Aluminum vs. Composite

Paul Cassel wrote:
bramski@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
I'm looking at purchasing a new road bike. My main goals include some
minor racing, but mostly some major centuries and hill challenges this
summer.

What would people say are the real benefits of carbon, aluminum, and
composite bikes are? I know that aluminum is quite stiff and taking
bumps on it can be a less comfortable experience (I own an older Fuji
Al right now). But are carbon bikes really that much lighter, or is
it the added flex that really helps, but won't that decrease your own
power output if the frame flexes as you apply force? Don't stiff
bikes perform better on downhill sections because they are so much
stiffer?

I ride an E5 S-Works which is (in my year?) an Al frame. I don't think it particularly harsh but I do have carbon bars and seat post. I used to have a Thomson Al seatpost which I swapped for an Alien carbon one noting absolutely no difference in ride. I did notice that the Alien is a PITA to adjust where the Thomson was a pleasure.

Why did you swapped your Thomson seatpost?

Lou

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