Aluminium or carbon

[mart 63]

Been looking at these 2 bikes, is the carbon bike 400€ worth the extra, basically the same running gear. I do around 40kms 3 times a week for fitness and enjoyment. Mainly on road, lanes a few hills and hard gravel tracks.
Ive been using my Cube Nuride on eco for a few months and thought I might aswell buy a hybrid. These are my bikes of choice

https://www.doyoubike.com/trek-fx-sport-al-3-2027....

https://www.doyoubike.com/trek-fx-sport-sl-4-2027....

Is it worth the extra cost for a bit of fitness and enjoyment and how much better are carbon frames.
Thanks

[oddman]

I've had

• 3 Al Road/Cross Bikes and 4 carbon road/endurance/gravel bikes
• An Al Hardtail and a carbon hardtail MTB
• An Al FS and a carbon FS MTB

In every comparison, the carbon bike is more comfortable. Looking at the geometry of the bikes you posted with tight rear triangles, I would expect the carbon bike to be more forgiving and pleasant to ride (and the longer the ride the more you'll notice).

A lot depends on how much you're going to use it. If it's more than weekly use for fitness and more than an hour or so, the carbon perhaps makes sense

If it's errands, commuting, riding with kids, leaning it up against things and letting it fall over then a cheaper bike makes sense

[WH16]

I'd take the opposite approach and if riding for fitness go for the slightly heavier option. You need to put in more effort for the same result.

[mart 63]

Thanks for the input. I would have never thought a couple of hundred grams would make that much difference. As im used to riding a 25kg ebike in eco mode

Edited by mart 63 on Saturday 15th August 19:01

[v8notbrave]

If you have a flat bars bike why not get one with drop bars, either road or gravel. As your fitness improves you will grow into it

Carbon has some slight give (like steel) and is light so is comfy and smooth

Aluminium is more brittle and hard, can get tiring on long rides, was an issue when we're all on 23c tyres. Now with bigger tyres the penalty for aluminium is probably less. Good aluminium weighs similar to carbon but there are cheaper heavy ones also

As said consider geometry to get the right training bike you want (I bought a hybrid over 25 years ago, loved it for a year then sold as it was a compromise, neither great at the road or off the road. Just average at everything)

[oddman]

mart 63 said:

Thanks for the input. I would have never thought a couple of hundred grams would make that much difference. As im used to riding a 25kg ebike in eco mode

Edited by mart 63 on Saturday 15th August 19:01

You're right. My answer assumed the weight difference is irrelevant too. The way they feel may be different, but you really need to be riding for more than an hour for it to show.

[Xenoous]

My aluminium frame (carbon fork) is extremely comfortable on 32mm slicks with TPU tubes. Routinely do 2 hour rides with no discomfort. I have the standard saddle that came with the bike (Selle Royal SRX) and Van Rysel bibs.

Obviously carbon is likely better, but it's important to remember not all carbon is the same. I.e. an expensive aluminium frame is more often than not better than a cheap carbon frame. I have nothing against carbon frames of course, and one day I'll own one, but I would want to try both before I make a decision. Plus, metal can be recycled, carbon can't.

[vexed]

Carbon. Lovely to ride.

[mart 63]

Thanks for the replies. Decided to go for the carbon fx sport 4, but couldn't get hold of one in a large. So ended up going for the fx sport 5, which has been reduced by a few hundred euros. Delivery will be the end of September, which is ideal, as its to hot here at the moment.
https://bicicletascarmona.com/producto/trek-fx-spo...