Why Are Racers Choosing Aluminium?

Carbon fibre is often thought of as being the material of choice for top-of-the-range mountain bikes. With that in mind, why are so many racers like Jackson Goldstone, Loic Bruni, Loris Vergier, and Camille Balanche choosing to go back to Aluminium for parts like frames, wheels, cranksets, and handlebars? Neil decided to dig into the details and see which top pro riders and running what, and why!

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:41 - XC/Enduro
1:04 - Downhill
4.17 - Pro Riders Material Choice (table)
5:27 - Manufacturing Techniques
6:46 - Neils Bikes

Useful Links:

What do you think is best? Aluminum or carbon? Do you have any carbon parts? Let us know👇

Watch more on GMBN...

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Tell Me Why (Instrumental Version) - Ludlow
Carbon - Truvio

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[gmbn]

What do you think is best? Aluminum or carbon? Do you have any carbon parts? Let us know👇

[Crevtout]

Unless you're racing (a lot), I think for the majority or riders, aluminium is just fine. Being much cheaper, it will allow you to spend your hard earned cash on better components which I believe would make a bigger difference for riding your weekly local trails.

[steveyi]

bike shop operators have told me that the weight difference between alloy and carbon are much smaller these days because carbon frame makers have been adding more and more material to increase longevity and reduce warranty claims.

[Luketw]

Recently switched to a full carbon frame trail bike and I find myself constantly checking for cracks after I hear rock strikes during a ride. 😅

[billblake]

Neil, this was really a superb episode brother. Thank you for your time and efforts.

[mbs]

Aluminium is an infinitely recyclable material.

[tomaskaleta]

Want to point out that Alex Rudeau is currently 2nd overall in EDR, riding on aluminium Commencal bike..

[harzenduro]

I've had the most expensive carbon frames over the last couple of years and went for aluminum for my last tow builds. I feel ZERO difference in feel and weighing 90kgs. myself, the weight difference of carbon over aluminium doesn't matter at all. I can get up the hill at the same speed.

[tannerlotito]

My favorite part of being a degenerate American staying up this late is I get prime time euro uploads at the end of the night

[TheSamwhyte]

Add in various tyre choices (width, size and compound) and a rundown of who is running air shocks v coil shocks and this would be peak geek content! 🙌🏻
(Cheers Neil 👌🏻)

[Jpwillia]

I was always under the impression that carbon was more damp than aluminum because the weave could be tuned to be stiff in one direction while dampening in another. The main downside of aluminum was said to be that it was chattery and stiff in all directions. This is why road bikes used to put carbon in forks and seat stays to ward off road vibrations while saving cost with the rest of the bike in alloy. I remember the first time I rode a full carbon gravel bike with carbon rims and bars thinking “damn! This is comfy!” That said I recently went from a ally frame and bars to basically the same bike with carbon frame, bars and front rim, and my hands were significantly more pumped at the same bike park. I know carbon has lately gone from the light and maybe less durable option to the slightly lighter but much stronger option. I will say the reason I switched was because I had to warranty the alloy frame due to a crack at a chainstay weld in the rear triangle. That fatigue failure would not happen with a carbon frame. I think frame and component builders will continue to dial in the exact stiffness/compliance balance that optimizes stability and comfort. I think that optimization is easier with carbon because of the ability to change the weave/layup.

[randybrown]

Alloy is the better value proposition which is important to me. I love it as a material as well and have never owned a carbon MTB. I do like the weight savings that you get from carbon but can't justify the cost and would rather have nicer components as others have mentioned. Great content as always Neil and GMBN!

[jbs]

Thanks Neil. Best GMBN video I have seen in a while! More like this please.

[benjy]

Trek must have missed the carbon is light memo with their latest slash and fuel ex

[antonia]

I cant afford carbon..but I'm quite happy with Aluminium. If I was racing maybe I would feel different, but for riding pleasure Ally if fine.

[sepg]

Airliners use aluminum, and only recently incorporated carbon fiber.

If Aluminum is good enough for huge airplanes, it's good enough for bicycles.

[Arturito]

I will always go for aluminum cause I’m not a pro. Also just depends I would definitely like to have a carbon frame for like XC for example but other then that I prefer aluminum

[i-am-vonnegut]

Ironic that a nature based sport enjoys disposable throw away carbon components and frames. Carbon is the plastic shopping bag of mtb

[stianjarnass]

After all the frames just snapping and also the extra care with bike racks etc I'm just not trusting carbon.

[plainuser]

Well about carbon bars being stiffer than aluminum.. that is not necessarily true. You, yourself, have said that the stiffness of carbon depends on the layout. Supposedly the One Up bars are supper flexy helping with the arm pump fatigue. I have not tested them - wrong backsweep for me, but that is the general opinion on them as far as I have heard