Carbon Fiber Vs Aluminium - 5 Things You Didn't Know About Aluminium

Here are 5 things that you didn't know about aluminium (or aluminum) as a bike frame material.
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Aluminium is one of the most common bike frame materials. Although it has been superseded by carbon fiber at the top levels of the road bike market, it still commands a large market share and many brands - such as Trek and Canyon - continue to make high quality aluminium bike frames.
Have you learnt something today? And, is it aluminum or aluminium? Let us know down in the comments.
Watch more on GCN...
Things you didn't know about carbon fiber ▶︎ gcn.eu/1Um3jL4
We tour SRAM's factory ▶︎ gcn.eu/1Y3ajle
With thanks to Trek Bikes for permission to use their footage in this edit. Click here to see the full video: gcn.eu/1OarD66
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Photos: © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / www.tdwsport.com
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Leave us a comment below!

[@palmer3977]

I bought the 2015 Cube Peloton SL (Aluminium) superb, I raised my seat yesterday by 40mm after a group of riders passed me & one said "your seat's too low", bloody hell it feels like I am now part of the bike, more power through the pedals, the bike feels more responsive & NO knee pain, amazing what the correct adjustments can feel like.

[@mdahsenmirza2536]

Yeah, to purge knee pain, just increase the seat height but not too much, best way to know if your seat is too high is if you turn your hips up and down one side at a time to ride your bike

[@lunam7249]

A little ❤ goes a long ways!

[@Budrick3Gaming]

I'm personally steering clear away from carbon after watching someone's carbon bike literally shear off and impale them causing them to get emergency evac'ed off a mountain. Aluminum just bends, but carbon splinters and snaps. It may weigh more, but im good.

[@Bartooc]

Aluminium doesn't bend it cracks steel bends.

[@nathanjohn367]

Bartooc is that a joke - aluminium is a metal, metals are ductile - therefore aluminium bends.

[@iMadrid11]

I wonder if that carbon fiber bike frame is from a reputable brand manufacturer or a no-brand China?

[@Bartooc]

@@nathanjohn367 Try to bend hardened aluminium and chromoly steel and tell me what happens...

[@ian9toes]

Nathan John Drill bits are made out of metal, but they don’t bend too well.

[@isaac2152]

As a welder, Cannondales aluminum always leaves me impressed. Nice lines and beautiful welds. Honestly, Cannondale is the master of aluminum.

[@ollieb9875]

Hmm.. Hambini is always slagging off Cannondale, though I have one and really like it, it's with the aluminium frame and carbon forks.

[@overthetarget9401]

Yup, got a 2006 CAAD 8, that frame is beautiful and was still made in the US.

[@battistaverardi1240]

Jamis is incredible with aluminum especially with 7005 the far superior and best aluminum on the face of this planet!

[@dibbelschisser6776]

I just recently bought a vintage m500 MTB with a rigid cromo fork. I just love the fluid shapes which were futuristic back in the day. Unibody construction started there.

[@jesmondo5785]

Agreed, big fan of their aluminium frames!!

[@petyrkowalski9887]

I have a 17 year old aluminium mountain bike that has been through the wars and is in great shape still.

[@ouztaki]

Which wars ?

[@_xO_Ox_]

The last 2 aluminum frames that I had didn't last long, they got cracks, metal fatigue is the extremely weak feature of aluminum. The UTS (ultimate tensile strength) of aluminum alloys is already very low (290 MPa for 6061, 415MPa for 6069) and metal fatigue means cracking well below the UTS.

[@stopglobalswarming]

ouztaki been through the wa(r)sh?

[@anftrew3775]

Same here. About 15 years ago I bought a very budget aluminium mountain bike and over the years, regularly pushed it beyond its recommended use. Over the years, apart from tyres and inner tubes, literally the only maintenance purchases I've had to make for it are: break blocks (yes, old V brakes), headset bearings, a second hand fork after the original fork eventually seized, and grips. We've still got it now, although it's been relegated to become the wife's bike, as she doesn't do anything at all challenging so in effect, the bike is now enjoying retirement but is still used for light use, and is still showing no signs of any problems.

[@Cpt_zheng]

Anf Trew hehe, my bike is a really cheap one and i’ve been using it for 5 years now. Did some trails, not too technical, far beyond what it was designed for. Still works well, just changed the rear v-brake

[@reefralph]

C'mon guys, you've forgot the best of them all the Cannondale CAAD Alu frame!

[@ripp3rjak934]

Is that the plastic aluminum combo?

[@FSEVENMAN]

Absolutely bro he could do a whole video on the cannondale aluminum development.

[@abikovski27]

Secretly sponsored by trek :3

[@pshmps1836]

Very true

[@johnobrien5464]

Unless you are cycling though some very strong acid or something that is a great oxidiser your aluminium frame is going to be fine

[@Mottleydude1]

John O’Brian actually you have it backwards. It would be a strong alkali that would reduce the aluminum causing corrosion. A strong acid or oxidizer would have little effect as the surface of aluminum alloy is protected from those via surface oxidation but caustic soda would corrode it rapidly.

[@archiearevalo5648]

Yuo. Some people have very acidic sweat that can damage allum frame and parts if you dont wash it with water after a ride

[@aslanjudah33]

@@archiearevalo5648 True like my pal Wolf man Jack.

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

There's a reason aluminum is used in cars now along with plastic, lighter than steel and rust resistant! Rust is a major problem for older cars specially pickup trucks

[@HexseCow]

Does aluminium rust? yes it oxidizes within seconds of being exposed to air. That said the layer of aluminium oxide does not flake off and therefore the aluminium oxide works as a protective layer.

[@p0l0gt1]

there’s also galvanic corrosion when electrochemically dissimilar metals such as aluminium and steel are in contact with each other and water is present.

[@warfighter-rango8180]

I had my bike without paint and it never rust and it went through heavy rain and snow.

[@TheRoadrunner11]

My MTB is made with a bare brushed aluminium finish and I ride it through hell with no issues. I actually wonder why more bikes don't come with that finish? It's very robust and scratch proof . And no it doesn't rust. In fact I have another 35 years old MTB with aluminium frame and steel fork and even though 20% of the paint flaked off over the years, and it always sits outside in the rain, it never rusted, not even the fork!

[@ripp3rjak934]

Ugh hurts my brain

[@exodu266]

Ed aluminum oxyde is also one of the harder material found on earth, sand paper and ceramics are actually made mostly from aluminum oxides... think planes, massive temperatures/humidity differences day in day out under pretty intense stress for over 30 years.

[@frank.l181]

I still own a cannondale 2.8 frame with 1" aluminium fork , stiff in climbs but very harsh over not so perfect roads but upgraded to carbon fork, carbon seat post and hollow titanium rails on saddle. Amazing results in ride quality!

[@dvdp4513]

Watch out with the carbon seatpost in an alu frame. Give it at least twice a year some fresh carbon paste. Otherwise they will stick together!

[@Steve-og3cr]

As a former composites materials tester in a lab, I can tell you "failure" in composites isn't when it actually breaks. It occurs way earlier than most expect. Any impact can delaminate it with NO visible damage. The next impact it may fail catastrophically. It is Russian roulette when that will happen.

[@AK-ox3mv]

Any tips for better using alloy for longer durability?

[@michadebicki6534]

@@AK-ox3mv he clearly ment carbon

[@bellezayverdad]

I have an Orbea Avant aluminium frame. I'm very satisfied with it, and it also has life-time warranty.

[@brianmoore1164]

Cool video GCN! I love the crazy insane expensive high tech stuff, but it is nice to see you do a video on the more affordable end of the bike spectrum. I am riding a carbon frame, but there are definitely some cool aluminum bikes out there. Might be nice to carry this theme into components as well. We can't all ride this years latest electronic components.

[@kdhfkjdgkjj]

When the steel vid comes around, we had better get Matt to present it. Surely he can and has appreciated a good steel stead.

[@KelseyLeighV]

Thanks for the breakdown guys! I love my trusty little aluminium :)

[@zennor_man]

Informative....for me my dream bike is Ti (though it will almost certainly come with carbon forks)

[@WarriorsPhoto]

GCN, always gives great information about bikes. Thank you gentleman.

[@MadBikeBoy]

I ride aluminium (Cannondales x 3), titanium (Merlin and Litespeed), and I have a few carbon bikes as well. A well designed aluminium frame is a thing of joy. My Caad 10 with Sram Red and Reynolds wheels is light, it turns with confidence, and it climbs like a homesick angel. It is very comfortable, but it's also very alive feeling. Ti bikes, as a rule, feel softer with less buzz. My Merlin has a lot of mileage on it, and it's the bike I choose when I'm traveling because it's indestructable. It's outlived four groupsets and three carbon travel bikes (including a Kuota that an airline flattened by running a vehicle over it). Carbon is nice, and it's the entry into the cool club. But I don't have good luck with long life; from a BMC that kept breaking seat stays, to a Pinarello that detached the bottom bracket. My TT bike (2009 Specialized Transition S-Works) being the obvious exception - it's godawful harsh while being noodle like flexible, it handles like a bucking bronco - but it's been shipped many times and ridden into the side of a car and it's still perfect. Bottom line, if the house was burning to the ground, I'd carry out my Cannondales and my Merlin, then I'd go back in for the dog. And then the girlfriend. Sorry pooch.

[@dylankylehuber-heidorn303]

As the rider of an alloy Cannondale, I haven't felt GCN speaking to me this personally since whenever they last suggested I drink beer after riding (or was it before? during?)

[@shadow7423]

Thanks for the video. I learned something from it.

[@huggafox8551]

Very informative! Loved it.

[@danial_s]

"Aluminium bikes can look just as sexy as carbon fiber bikes" - Arya Stark

[@anonomous2221]

90's Cannondale were the sexiest.

[@mihneacireasa4613]

Is this a GoT reference?

[@TraumaER]

She never said that.

[@josephdoby6411]

I agree 👍

[@rolux4853]

TraumaER S:4 E:12 1:42:38

[@nightfly222]

All I can say I love my Cannondale CAAD12 105. Great bike, comfortable, light, durable, great handling, nibble, quick and most important it is bike that just push me to go fast.

[@IVPoole]

These material choice videos have been great! Thanks GCN. Now I have some serious banter ammunition for my cycling mates.

[@senorboardhead]

Been loving on my Boston Merlin Road since 99. All effort is rewarded. Great Ride !

[@mark-1234]

As I mentioned on another one of your videos, my 2005 Team Fuji carbon race bike had a frame (with forks) weight of 2041 grams. I now have a 2018 Fuji Roubaix 1.3 aluminium with a frame weight of 1500 grams. Carbon is not always the lighter material, and aluminum can be softened up by choosing a better grade, higher tpi tire.

[@ikswotianop]

Will gravel bikes be allowed in the roubiax race?

[@chillierdavro]

I make carbon fibre products that have CNC aluminium fittings on my youtube channel, but I ride a aluminium frame bike :| with carbon accessories. I just like riding my bike :)

[@am3444]

for the win

[@LeesChannel]

Don't you worry about galvanic corrosion or delamination?

[@skv1991]

I'm choosing my second bike after Cross-Country bike, and wanna Canyon Endurace CF 9.0, but after this video, does carbon one feel much better, than Canyon Endurace AL 7.0? I'm choosing bike for long period of time and wanna chose right one, can anybody tell me main difference except the fact of manufacturing process of carbon frames is more difficult? Does it absorbs non good road surface (there are not many good roads in Russia). Thanks!

[@bicyclist2]

I have a lugged bike with carbon tubes and Aluminium lugs and it rides very well for a 27 year old bike. Very informative. Thanks.

[@Dhungerf60]

I ride aluminum or as they say in the UK, aluminium........I am very happy with my choice, I was able to get a much higher end bike w/r/t the components for less cost than a carbon bike.

[@AbhishekMukh1994]

Dayum! I read that in 2 voices 😅

[@acidrums4]

It would be very nice if you do more videos like this (carbon vs steel, aluminium vs steel, titanium vs carbon, magnesium vs aluminium, etc. etc. etc.)

[@JimKJeffries]

My best friend got a Cannondale m900 new in 1992. He gave it to me some years back. I ride it more than many commute in a car. It is still fantastic, strong, durable, comfortable, looks great.

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Still riding my 7000 series mid-nineties Fondriest Megalu. Stiff (and harsh!) as hell but it has taken a shit-kicking as a messenger bike and is still rolling. Daily rider. Love it.

[@Metal-Possum]

Awesome video. I'm still riding on some Columbus SL though. Don't expect me to budge from it, unless it is to an equally well crafted frame

[@cup_and_cone]

Can you do a seperate video for those of us in America who can only buy aluminum? Not all of us can get that fancy aluminium.

[@OwenHeh]

What?

[@sd9847]

Maybe he meant steel?

[@SmevMev]

It's a joke on US pronunciation of "alumiNIUM" - they say it "alumiNUM"

[@charlietuba]

Don't worry, it's the same thing. Brits don't know how to spell or pronounce it correctly. Also they call a pharmacist is a chemist.

[@ethansloss6854]

Hi friends. American scientists call it aluminium. A pharmacist is a chemist who specialises in drugs. Bye friends.

[@rickhart6908]

Excellent video! Thanks! I have a problem and im a bit worried. My aluminium bike frame recently suffered an impact and, consequently, a dent on the top tube. I use it for trail, downhills and jumps. Is it safe to ride my bike with that dent or i need to replace my frame?

[@markross1384]

I was driving a coach this afternoon through Bletchingley (A25) from Godstone, Surrey, and I saw a chap donning the full GCN kit.. I slowed down and let him cross my path and I must say the kit is extremely striking in person!!.. I wasn't sure if it was one of you guys? or maybe just a Joe blogs.. It definitely could not have been Matt as this guy clipped in first time ☺... Keep up the good work guys

[@PeLuK2303]

I own a Specialized Allez, is an Aluminum frame and its awesome. Its not super expensive and hacve great stiffness y Handles really well.

[@jeffk464]

Yeah, I looked into that bike and then bought a Giant Advanced Defy. I'm pretty sure I could have bought the Allez and kept some money.

[@racebends]

I owned an Allez and for sure it is a great bike frame but for the money they give you shit components, you made a good call with the Giant. I now own a FELT F6 good riding

[@crazysandwich]

The geometry would have been totally different though. The TCR is closer to the allez in geometry than the defy. but yeah.

[@PeLuK2303]

+racebends My Allez came with full Shimano 105 in 11 speed, so it wasnt a bad deal.

[@sapinva]

rode one of those at local bike shop, very harsh ride and bb bends so much under load the chain rubs the cage on both sides, maybe it's designed for less than 140 lb riders

[@landentothenines]

I'd like to see one of these talking about the new high end steel frames that are becoming more popular.

[@butchroberts8719]

Love my old 2006 aluminum Specialized Allez Comp. I rode an old Peugeot steel 10 speed before that, and a chromoly hardtail mountain bike. I have newer carbon bikes that I also enjoy and they all have their good points, aero, climbing and endurance, but it's all about the ride and liveliness and how they make you feel on the road. Every Spring I start out my riding season on my Allez. I tested a Cannondale Caad12 105. That is a sweet bike. Ended up buying a leftover orphaned Cervelo R2, thought.

[@charles-libenard2337]

Aluminum cheat sheet: -2xxx series = soft/ductile = great for sport equipment -7xxx series = high specific tensile strength and good resistance to crack propagation = go to aluminum used in aerospace -6xxx series = middle ground between 2xxx and 6xxx

[@davidkosela3713]

I just welded my aluminum frame when it cracked by the crank, I took out the crank shaft

[@johnpontes812]

GCN: Fatigue on an aluminium bike. Cannondale CAAD10: "What am I a joke to you."

[@michaelsparks8632]

Happy to know, since I just bought a new Trek MTB, Love it!

[@lonesomegavlan7279]

I went to a bike shop recently and they had nothing but Trek bikes. I'm not familiar with this brand honestly, but the bikes look amazing and I might just get one.

[@xmodmodifier]

A mechanic tuned my bike first just because it's a trek.

[@MarvinConnell]

Can we talk about aluminium parts on carbon frames & vice versa yet? O.O

[@andriusbernotas1066]

3:42 made my day..

[@tanishqredkar2800]

I love watching your videos it's really helpful

[@bora01vr6]

I ride one of those stiff kleins a 1996 quantum and it feels fine to me. I was able to fit some 28c tires and that made all the difference from the skinny 25c(measured out to 22c) tires that came on it .

[@guest_informant]

Title is a bit of a mashup: US Fiber and UK Aluminium. Can I get a sub-editor job?

[@PeowPeowPeowLasers]

The pronunciation is a bit off too - "allyminium"?

[@julzhickman]

maybe you should make a video and show him how its done then!

[@eaumand]

I'd love to see a video about brands, specifically, GIANT, it would be great to hear how GCN rates GIANT...

[@kevinfromsales6842]

my bike is a Marin Larkspur. the frame is aluminum and the welds on it are so beautiful. the tubes are triple butted too. i love it.

[@mayureshaiya1682]

Nice one.. I have trek domane 2.3 2013 model already white patches at seat post coupler joint! It's 200alpha alu series.

[@Mr00kk00]

Do steel

[@Dissidentmember]

please*

[@andrewzhang1199]

Suggestion: We would like to see "5 things you didn't know about steel"

[@daveyponderosa9549]

Yup! Hand cut polished lugs or fillet brazed with custom tube selection and a custom paint job = PRICELESS!!!

[@karlish8799]

STEEL IS REEEEEEAL!

[@alandempsey7234]

Thanks for that Trek ad. Can you do a real video featuring aluminium and carbon fibre?

[@CyclingOffToSomewhereIDK]

Thanks Simon, this makes me eel better about the aluminum framed Fuji I just bought in April 2021. Good talk

[@lunam7249]

Fuji kicks Ass!!!

[@gaittr]

Nice video. I'm 51 and and have been an avid rider since I was quite you g. I actually raced as a USCF category 4 racer for 3 years back in the mid-90s. I was really bad, but I gave it my best go of it. I've had several bikes. My favorite bicycle of all time to ride which I still own is a 1991 Marin Indian fire Trail made from 7005 series aluminum. It's a hardtail with a chromoly Fork. No suspension. I've written it hard in the mountains and anywhere else I can get it. My average weight over the course of owning this bike is around 250 lb. The frame has held up beautifully and is still comfortable while at the same time transmitting a maximum amount of my energy output into propelling me in the direction I want to go.

[@quicktoevil]

C W I've been riding a 1995 Trek bonded aluminum mtn bike with chromoly fork since new. Bike has been rode hard in WV, Nevada, PA, and Ohio and still going. I couldn't afford Trek's OCLV back then but the bonded aluminum has certainly impressed me.

[@RukaSubCh]

Are you guys going to do a video on each material, steel , aluminium (done) , carbon(done) and titanium?

[@FlatSpinMan]

Why stop there? They should push on and the entire Periodic Table. That would really be "GCN does science".

[@richardm9688]

Bit tricky though making a bike from uranium, don't you think? Any aero advantage would be lost because they would have to wear a full radioactive suit, with mask, gloves and boots as well!

[@ginabradley8051]

where's bamboo in the periodic table?

[@ytyehyeh]

It's just organically sourced carbon macrotubing.

[@pozr4530]

Just finished my titanium Litespeed. Titanium is the best frame material.

[@sonicstep]

You mean Titanium alloy of which there are many different grades as is so with aluminium (you select according to intended application). Ti has no useful mechanical properties unless blended with other metals. Example: 6AL4V (comprises aluminium and vanadium) continentalsteel.com/titanium/grades/

[@LightTapStomp]

Cardboard FTW

[@aslanjudah33]

Actually gold is the best frame ever.

[@antonhelsgaun]

@@aslanjudah33 and platinum fork, for optimal flex

[@xchopp]

I had a 2010 Trek 2.3 (105 gruppo) and it was absolutely fantastic! It's a shame the Trek 1.x are not up to the same standard as the 2.3, which became the "Madone 2" but seems to have gone completely now. The 2010 2.3 was one of the best value high-quality entry-level road bikes for people who want to ride fast. I guess the closest to the 2.3 now would be the Emonda ALR 5. p.s. alu frames are far from equal -- by a big margin. A couple of years ago I bought a Moda Intro to ride in the UK and it is nowhere near something like the recent Cannondale alus or the Trek 2.3, even though it has a carbon fork (that fork may be carbon but it feels like it's made of rock). Harsh is an understatement. You can mitigate the harshness to some extent with 25 mm tyres (or even with tires).

[@mrmcallum]

Best cycling channel on the Internet. Would like to know more about commuting and cellphones and power banks/solar chargers: experiences with ... .

[@ricardoluizturatto8437]

I just love my CAAD10

[@1stseagal]

Fantastic bike.

[@michaelecijan4563]

Cannondale Advance Aluminum Design 10 I love my CAAD10 too !!!

[@emiltsekov6525]

Me too. Great bike:))

[@frank.l181]

Incredible frameset! R&D engineering is outstanding.

[@raises4residents]

titanium vs carbon video!

[@sinagong69]

I had an Italian steel bike that lasted about 60.000 kms (36.000 miles). It fatigued an inch down, the down tube. I had a carbon bike that did precisely the same thing but after only 20.000 kms. (Maybe my riding style had something to do with it) As I don't ride as far as I used to, I now have two aluminium bikes and am quite happy with both of them.

[@KMnng10]

Could you do a "How to clean / service your derailleur"? At least my rear derailleur seems to pick up a lot of dirt on the inside, especially on the Spring inside. Would like to know, which way is the best to clean and service them. Which Oil or other fluid is the best for the bearings? Thanks!

[@montani3semper]

Titanium!

[@kylepatton3346]

This Alyoomineeyoom stuff sounds pretty neat!

[@williamkennethwong]

Kyle Patton I wonder how it compares to aluminum.

[@DarkIzo]

welcome to the rest of the world

[@HShango]

i love aluminium alloys though, they do the job pretty well, my bike is the cyclocross carrera tanneri LTD 2015 edition and i have had it for a year now, it's doing an amazing job, i love it to bits, including my contact II continental tyres for my bike, plus the brakes clarks amazing stuff on how they utilize to materials to road bikes and cyclocross bikes.

[@austin9155]

I think you forgot about cannondale's caad10 and caad12, some of the most impressive aluminum bikes from big manufacturers in this early century.

[@bradbeining3341]

How do you have a video on aluminum bikes and not have a cannondale 👽

[@artemchystikov5762]

because it was paid by Trek :D

[@rollinrat4850]

You mean ‘Crackonfail’ ?!?? Haha it a joke!

[@ronitdebnath]

A caad12 should have been used

[@ewiem4351]

"The cheapest bikes are made of steel." Well yeah, maybe cheap steel. But some of the most expensive as well as middle ground bikes are made of high grade steel, ranging from chromium alloy to stainless. It would be nice to see them included in a fair comparison.

[@NightmirrorXx]

Agreed

[@OliverPickard]

steel and ti bikes are lovley to ride they probably arnt going win any races on one but thats not what there for and that confuses some people

[@richardm9688]

How do Ti bikes compare to your average carbon bike over poor surfaces - Do you know?

[@OliverPickard]

Richard M Ti has awesome vibration damping propertys and will last an eternity but its not as stiff as carbon

[@richardm9688]

Thanks...so it's a bit like life....most things are a compromise. If you want raw stiffness and power, and sacrifice some comfort go carbon and try to ride on good roads! If you want more comfort over bad roads but sacrifice some all out stiffness and power go titanium.

[@samburrell3288]

I have an aluminium Giant Roam 2 and love it, have some nice vision wheels on there, but would love a giant Fast Road 2 one day... possibly the full carbon one

[@murdakah]

Aluminium does corrode but unlike steel ( and other steels excluding stainless) it self-passivates. The aluminium oxide layer acts as a barrier to oxygen and generally keeps the corrosion at bay, whilst the FeO (various oxidation states also) generally does not and remains "permeable" to oxygen. (Notable exception is Magnetite, which does offer some protection but not on the same level as the alumina.

[@Old_Man_Medina_Gaming]

I love my aluminum Scott

[@Adrienne557]

I challenge anyone to ride a Cannondale CAAD12 and say its harsh. Go Al!

[@minikuiotoko]

I challenge you to call the CARBON fork it has aluminum.

[@thomasheylen6830]

+MinikuiOtoko lol

[@Adrienne557]

Oh man! So right. Go carbon!

[@Sionnach1601]

+Minikuiotoko - so give it a nivacrom steel fork so. Practically the same weight and even better damping and handling, and longevity at that

[@keithorkusz2000]

My wife is considering getting into riding and this segment was really useful in debunking some things I had heard about Aluminum. Thanks GCN.

[@IanLoughead]

I just bought a Gravel bike. Aluminum frame with carbon fork. Very comfy on even the worst roads. To buy it I sold my 12 year old Aluminum Trek which was still in great shape.

[@keithorkusz2000]

Just bought my wife a Trek Emonda ALR. Super stoked, thanks GCN.

[@palmer3977]

It would be good to see a test comparison for stiffness & comfort etc. of aluminium v carbon.

[@Ed.R]

I'm enjoying my £150 aluminium road bike at the moment but that's because its got automatic shifting. NuVinci hub and Arduino working together gives me a permanent smile on my face.

[@ZixxTheLegend]

Lol automatic shifting wow You pay someone to put food in your mouth too and wipe your ass?

[@ApocaIypse666]

I still prefer steel all the way

[@linesided]

I've been riding a fully specced Cannondale Caad13 for over a year and it definitely lacks the snap of a carbon frame. But it kicks butt for overall comfort and since I take it offroad as well it takes all the abuse I throw at it. Not to mention it's half the price of a SuperSix carbon version of basically the same thing.

[@robinwood7387]

Congratulations on the Bowman references. Nice to hear a small new company get a mention. I ride one of their bikes, a Palace and it is stunning. Who needs carbon when alloy can be this good?

[@jonathankeith524]

You get the best workout when you ride a vintage 70's road bike made of steel.

[@riamcloughlin9546]

My dad used to do this on his solo rides to make him fitter for the group rides when he would use a lighter bike. Sometimes would even pull out the steelie on a group for all the cycling snobs to mock. However, he didnt give a shit and kept up with them on their carbon frames.

[@Msasha2727]

I have an 80s trek made from steal! It’s a heavy bike!

[@taurus20077]

Not a single mention about Cannondale CAAD series! Is it because Trek sponsored your show and they prohibit you to mention Cannondale in the show?

[@ebigarella]

In fact Si mentioned Cannondale

[@Demon09-_-]

+Enda Bigarella when did he say that must have missed it also

[@nightfly222]

+Enda Bigarella When? Did I somehow miss it ?

[@Demon09-_-]

+nightfly222 i think that guy just must be trolling as i watchee it twice to make sure.

[@Patrick94GSR]

nope, he mentioned "big names like Trek and Canyon" but never said anything about Cannondale.

[@NoahFroio]

I have been saving for a Cannondale Super Six; however, recently test rode a CAAD12, and now my once dead set on the Super Six heart, is having a serious reconsideration moment. The bike is amazing; far superior to either of my current aluminum roadies (Defy 3 and Podium 3) - so; I may be an Aluminati member for life!! Currently have 4 alum. bikes (2 roadies, 1 single speed, and my track bike) and 1 one old steelie (former commuter) and have been itching for carbon watching your vids and the plethora of carbon-crew members rolling the hills in the Bay Area... oh; decisions, decisions, decisions!!

[@mr02gixxer1000]

Noah Froio love!!! CAAD12 former SUPER SIX EVO OWNER. I don’t know how Cannondale do it but the CAAD12 is an amazing bike!!!

[@jeremybyrd8912]

I have been pleased with my Trek One series made with the Alpha aluminum. For me, it was the best frame I could afford at the time on very limited budget. One day I hope to step up to carbon, but for those looking for a strong, lightweight, modern road bike on a budget, go with an aluminum frame. Great job again GCN!

[@tomkunich9401]

What you will find is that the carbon bike rides no better and costs a lot more, the weight difference is insignificant and tires are more important for a good ride. Perhaps CF sprints slightly better in the top end. If you are racing that might be a tiny advantage if you are willing to risk that much of an investment. Around here the best racers generally aren't. So you want to buy a $10,000 bike for the Thursday training ride?

[@tefltoulouse]

I second that. My trek pilot 1.0 (?) is my fave bike. 500 quid and still perfect wheels and tyres after years! It's all about having a nice comfy upright position and geometry to start with. It's a real shame that so many people buy / are sold agressive bikes that you can't do anything with postion-wise. It's a real pleasure to start with comfy and then tinker with position for when you want to appear more pro :)

[@efraincampos7382]

Could you make a video about steel? that would be cool

[@digbyodell2924]

Just go find a rusty bridge somewhere and stare at it for a while.

[@tonyjones9442]

I have a steel shopping bike. I quite often go on 80 miles rides on it. It's fine.

[@shuffster]

CAAD 12, no more words needed.....

[@wigancyclist8913]

CAAD 12 just make it with a proper BB!

[@markcooke5075]

agreed!

[@kitjay]

A bit surprised Cannondale weren't mentioned. The CAAD 10 was possibly the best aluminium frame in the world, until the CAAD 12.

[@Sionnach1601]

+Chris Jeffery So are GCN independent, or do they take 'donations' from different bike manufacturers to promote one and denigrate another? I too was more than surprised that the CAADs weren't mentioned. Looking at the Aluminium bikes shown, apart from the tapered top tube, they seem to have very little of the tube shaping and profiling of the Cannondales.

[@paulmader1052]

This guy is awesome it's like he was born to report on materials n bikes straight to the point doesn't act stupid very great job

[@Daniel-ug3ie]

great, so I've been looking at getting a BMC teammachine slr02 or Cannondale CAAD 12 and just when I was pushing to the BMC you guys put this video out 'top end aluminium is better than low end carbon'? which bike would you prefer?

[@NewbArchitect]

aww you didn't mention cannondale bikes? :-(

[@fr4n_c13]

Could you make an super-ultra-light bike if you fill it with helium?

[@ethansloss6854]

are you joking?

[@marottajoe]

Yes. I do it every weekend.

[@korsveien]

If you replace the air in your bike with helium the volume isn't big enough to really matter.

[@marottajoe]

+Kjetil Korsveien I have found that by sealing all the frame holes that would ordinarily leak and by increasing the volume of helium in the frame my average time trial speeds have been increasing significantly.

[@korsveien]

Helium is 7 times lighter than air. That sounds like a lot? Not so fast, a liter of air weigh about 2 grams. Guessing you have no more than 2 liters of air in your frame. Then you save a gram or two at the most.

[@scottfox6271]

Said it before and I'll say it again. Great work guys, keep it up.

[@FirefighterBobby]

Imagine your name was Giant Manitou!

[@Blueguitar007]

I had a Raleigh Technium with aluminum mainframe and steel stays and fork. Guess where it broke...the steel chain stay. It was probably 80s bike, broke couple years ago. I had the stay welded, worked great until recently stolen.

[@Kosmonooit]

What no mention of pioneers and long time Al fundies Cannondale?

[@harrytucker8066]

They're not sponsored by Cannondale

[@Kosmonooit]

So they only sing their sponsors tune? boooo Cannondale has been making Al frames for decades, it was their trademark and 'Hand built in the USA"

[@nebbykoo]

Nice Trek ad. How about just putting bigger tires on your 'harsh' alu bike? That's what I did...

[@G1NZOU]

I have an Aluminium hybrid bike as my commuter, feels nice and robust and despite having decent specs it didn't cost that much, great material for a mix of value, weight and ride.

[@limitless1692]

My road bike has aluminium frame And it is awesome 🙂

[@NextLevelCode]

I'm not a big bike person. But my favorite bike I ever owned was aluminum. Before it was stolen 😥

[@jonilepisto3721]

The pain is real

[@jamesmedina2062]

Kent talks tech why don't you get another one?? All my best exes were stolen. Its a sign of quality!

[@reginaldscot165]

Steel is the cheapest GCN? I would beg to differ the cheapest road bikes out there are all aluminium, most expensive are steel! Mercian bikes ain't cheap!

[@gcn]

You can get very expensive steel bikes, of course, but if you go down to your local department store the very cheapest bikes are steel.

[@PeowPeowPeowLasers]

Yes but department store bikes aren't bikes, they're bike-shaped objects! :)

[@reginaldscot165]

PeowPeowPeowLasers Thats true, also my local department store dont sell bikes, but all decathlon road bikes are aluminium and the cheapest road bike on amazon.co.uk is also aluminium...

[@joeirving5567]

Mercian bikes are beautiful and amazing to ride. I am lucky enough to be able to ride one :)

[@tylersimpson2974]

Target in the US is 100% aluminum and has been since a decade and a bit ago when I was in that market as a child.

[@sith1986]

Thinking about getting the Jamis expat 2016, it has a 520 steel frame, thoughts vs aluminum?

[@robdogracing]

Aluminum is a great choice for any one looking for something Light Weight and Affordable. My 3 personal bikes all use an aluminium frame with a carbon fork and I love riding each of them. All three have been reliable, durable, and fun to ride. A lot of people say Aluminum bikes are stiff and not good for longer rides but I believe if you get a good bike fit and the right saddle/chamois combo you will be good for many mile/km's. My (n+1) collection includes: Roadie Group Ride - 98' Cannondale CAD 3 R1000 in purple/green colorshift Cyclocross Races / Bikepacking / Gravel - 08' Santa Cruz Stigmata in Anodized Purple Track / Urban - 16' Cannondale CAAD 10 Track in Green and Brushed Aluminum setup brake-less Other brands/ Aluminum bikes I would consider adding to my collection: LOW Bicycles (anything they make), Salsa Cycles (Stormchaser), Specialized (Allez Sprint), and Klein (Quantum).