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Carbon fiber bikes have two main properties that can affect performance: 1. they are a little lighter. This doesn't matter nearly as much as most cyclists thin
by jackmott42 3y ago
Carbon fiber bikes have two main properties that can affect performance:
1. they are a little lighter. This doesn't matter nearly as much as most cyclists think, but it does matter a bit. If you race competitively in the mountains, you might care.
2. There is more design freedom for shaping them aerodynamically. This makes a bit more difference than weight, and if you are competing you definitely want it.
- timeon 3y ago> doesn't matter nearly as much as most cyclists think Weight matters also off-bike. For example if you need to carry it upstairs daily. So it can matter even for people that do not race.
- plorkyeran 3y agoEven just loading a bike onto a car rack is a pretty big difference. I don't think I'd pay for carbon if the only benefit was it being easier to carry, but it is a pretty big benefit.
- PretzelPirate 3y agoI used to live in a 3rd floor walk up in NYC. I appreciated my carbon bike. I even considered buying carbon wheels.
- habnds 3y agothey can also be stiffer in some directions and more flexible in others, which is a huge underestimated advantage compared to metal bikes.