Carbon vs. aluminum vs. steel MTBs: Which is best for you?
Is the extra money worth it?
If you are looking to buy a mountain bike, whether it is your first bike or simply an addition to your quiver, likely the chief decision to make is what material your bike will be.
Material choice is a chief consideration once you know what size you are looking for and what sort of mountain bike you want – hardtail, down country, cross country, enduro, single-speed, fully rigid, or otherwise.
Your budget and material choice are closely intertwined. As a rule, carbon fiber is the most expensive bike material, with aluminum being cheaper. Steel is often cheaper than aluminum, though today steel is commonly used with some boutique bike builders, making the overall price of the bike relatively expensive. Since budget and material interplay, this can be a balancing act for bike buyers – those with more limited budgets may find that if they choose a bike with a less expensive aluminum frame, they can afford better components. Conversely, it may make sense for bike buyers to plop down more money now on a carbon-framed bike with cheaper components, then upgrade the components down the line as old parts wear out or you save more money.
Another factor to keep in mind is that it is possible to blend materials on your bike. For example, while you may not be able to afford a carbon fiber bike frame, you can include some components that are made from carbon, such as seat posts, handlebars, or stems.
Benefits of carbon fiber mountain bikes
Carbon bikes weigh less than aluminum bikes – depending on the build, a carbon bike will weigh around 2 pounds less than a similarly specced aluminum bike. Many riders feel that carbon also has a smoother ride and snappier acceleration. Carbon can be damaged by impacts, and even by improper storage on a bike rack, though it is possible to repair it. Many feel that flexibility in the manufacturing process means that carbon bikes look better than aluminum and have more interesting designs. Carbon frames are in the range of 10-20 percent lighter than aluminum.
Benefits of aluminum mountain bikes
Aluminum bikes are generally less expensive than carbon fiber mountain bikes – usually the aluminum versions are $1,000 to $1,500 cheaper. They tend to be more durable and less likely to suffer damage, and while they can be repaired, the repair process is complicated, time consuming, and fairly expensive. Aluminum has better impact and abrasion resistance, though carbon has a slight advantage when it comes to tensile strength.
Benefits of steel mountain bikes
Steel is the least common frame material used in mountain bikes, though steel bikes have highly devoted fans. Steel is simple, strong, requires almost no maintenance, and described by riders as being lively elastic. The ease of repair steel mountain bikes makes them a favorite of world travelers and bike packers venturing into remote lands.
Can’t go all-carbon? Try these carbon component upgrades
The booming popularity of carbon fiber has meant that there are now more carbon components than ever to choose from. If your budget or riding style limits you to aluminum, you can steel save weight and gain style points by upgrading to these carbon parts:
Wheels
Cranks
Seat posts
Saddle rails
Stems
Handlebars
Rigid forks
Water bottle cages
Headset stem top caps
Will a carbon fiber bike break if you push it too hard?
When carbon bikes debuted in the 1990s, everyone assumed they would break. While that was not the case, carbon bikes do require different handling. Carbon tends to be stronger per pound than aluminum, though carbon has a dampening effect that soaks up abuse and keeps its shape, while aluminum takes impact differently – often in the form of a dent. Are you concerned about using a carbon frame bike for enduro or downhill riding? Just as each rider is different, each bike is different – here is where it pays to talk to an expert before making any purchase.
Pedal the Peaks is the best bike shop in Durango, with a wide selection of both carbon and aluminum frame bikes for every riding style and situation, plus great mechanics, a full slate of rentals to choose from, and tons of components for sale – including those carbon fiber upgrades you’ve been thinking about. Contact them now to learn more about the benefits of carbon vs. aluminum bikes or to get the latest information about riding conditions.