Comment by mpol | Hacker News Reader

Comment by mpol | Hacker News Reader

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Yes, carbon has taken over the highend market. And not only because it is cheaper, but it also can be more comfortable, while a scandium bike might be more harsh. You could argue that aluminium/scandium is not the right material for a road bike.

For road racing there is no point in scandium anymore, carbon frames are made lighter, stiffer and more comfortable. The Scott Scandium from 2000 was below 1kg, the Scott CR1 from 2006 was even lighter in carbon, and more comfortable.

For tourists using road bikes, most people who pay for a highend bicycle will also have that be seen, with carbon, just like the professionals. There is no demand anymore for highend aluminium/scandium frames.

Then the really light scandium frames were well know for cracking, like the Scott Scandium. They were made to be raced and used for a few seasons. I doubt many have survived. I would love to have a bicycle like that, I think the Scott Scandium is beautiful, but I also know I will probably not like it much for riding.

Aluminium or Titanium frames make the best travel bikes.

- Unlike steel, they don't rust.

- Unlike carbon, they can cope with rough treatment (for example when loaded into the hold on a plane). They are less likely to be damaged, and the damage is more likely to lead to a gradual failure.

Titanium is reputed to be better but modern Aluminium frames are pretty light, pretty comfortable, and vastly cheaper.

I have an aluminium bike that I use whenever my trip involves a train ride or a flight.

Frame rust isn't a big deal on bicycle. Even in the 80's high-alloy steel like 4130 "Chromo" has been popular with bicycles. I've abused my 70's mtb bicycle with thousands of km of rustbelt winter riding and my frame shows no worrying corrosion, just surface discoloration where the paint has been scratched.

Carbon fiber is more durable than people give it credit for too, though because it's a brittle material that fails suddenly, larger safety factors should be used.

I currently ride a titanium hardtail MTB. It's an amazing ride. I vastly prefer it over aluminium. Titanium has a reputation for being expensive, but that's only true because the famous brands have such high margin on them (no doubt to preserve that premium reputation).

> For road racing there is no point in scandium anymore, carbon frames are made lighter, stiffer and more comfortable.

Comfort is actually a flexible seat post, which can be most easily made out of carbon. The frame material has basically no impact on comfort. (And that comes from someone riding only steel frames)

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