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.

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 Although it has been superseded by carbon fiber at the top levels of the road bike market, it still commands a large market share and many brands – such as Trek and Canyon – continue to make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.

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Leave us a comment below!

[palmer]

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.

[BudrickGaming]

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.

[isaac]

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

[petyrkowalski]

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

[reefralph]

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

[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.

[danial_s]

"Aluminium bikes can look just as sexy as carbon fiber bikes"

- Arya Stark

[johnobrien]

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

[brianmoore]

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.

[KelseyLeighV]

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

[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.

[nightfly]

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.

[dylankylehuber-heidorn]

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?)

[frank.l]

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!

[bellezayverdad]

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

[Steve-ogcr]

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.

[zennor_man]

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

[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.

[WarriorsPhoto]

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

[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 :)