1. twowheelsarebetterthannone
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   There are things that I know make a good frame -- like sloppy welding -- but I still don't know a lot about what makes a good bike when I look at the frame and components.

   Does anyone know of a good article/website/whatever that details these things? Sheldon Brown's site has mammoth amounts of info but I find it's different info than what I'm looking for.

   I ride a road bike and was looking at photos on a blog where the writer made vague comments about the low quality, but I can't spot what he's referring to. Sometimes manufacturers make a bike look nice but use cheap parts or frames.

2. mecyclelots
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   This is kinda simple. Lets discuss carbon frames. There is a reason why 1 carbon frame bike with Dura Ace is $6000 and another with Dura Ace is only $2000. This has to do with the grade of the carbon used in manufacturing the carbon tubes and how the carbon is joined to actually make the frame. Most cheaper carbon frames will still use a "lug" system to join the carbon at the joints. The more expensive frames go away from lugs and use a wrap around joining system, like Scott does on their frame. This is easy enough to spot, wrap around style looks smooth compared to lug style. More expensive carbon frames will also normally use oversized tubing compared to steel, ti, or aluminum. Next cost level down from this is the carbon/aluminum frame. Some companies have attempted aluminum main triangle with carbon seat/chainstays. To much power is loss thru this frame. So most companies are sticking with the seatstay being carbon and chainstay being aluminum. Less power transfer loss and a stronger frame. Carbon seatstay just provides added comfort as it absorbs road shock like a carbon fork and carbon seatpost would.

   Hope this has helped you somewhat. I use to work in a bikeshop...

3. Duncan
   Moderator
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   There was a time when I could spot a specific component from 100 yards and tell you the manufacturer, year of release and what the major cycling magazines were saying about it.

   Now, I can tell you that a bike is blue and it appears to have gears and brakes, also, a seat.

   While I may trust the Internet a little too much, when you find a bicycle you are interested in you can search for reviews online. While not all bikes are reviewed, many, many are.

   Also, ask the guys in the shop. And, if you don't believe them, go to another shop and ask more guys (and gals of course).

   Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!

4. mecyclelots
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   Problem with asking shop workers, some truly don't know what they are selling. Many shops have workers that you could easily tell have not rode or have little cycling experience. Here is an example, if you were looking for a road bike that you can ride at the front of the fast group or race with. Would you take the advice from a shop worker who looks like they could get to the front of the fast group on a motocycle? So beware of taking advice from shop workers.

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