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Interesting quandary looking at the new Giant and Orbea bikes, both offer gravel bikes (Giant Revolt or Orbea Terra) with near identical builds but in either carbon or aluminium frames.
I'm a bit of an aluminium fan, even my 'best' road bike is still aluminium, so I'm drawn to saving money on the aluminium models and using it to pimp up the wheels instead.
Frustratingly, since manufacturers don't print weights any more, I've no way of comparing the weight of a mid range carbon frame vs. a higher end aluminium frame. My gut says there will be very little in it, what does STW think?
Am hoping one of the local shops starts selling the new models but I doubt they'd stock a full range so it might be hard to compare weights, even if they did let me through the door with my trusty scales! lol
Given the price difference Id expect the carbon frame to be lighter, usually for the same price aluminium road bikes come out 400-700g lighter as they come with nicer wheels and groupset. If youre looking at two bikes with the same kit on them then the carbon frame should make it lighter overall.
If it were me, Id go alu, light bikes feel nice, but Im not so convinced they add much to the speed. And after years of 'steel is real' ive come to the conclusion that some steel frames are just as stiff in a bad way, and some alu frames are just as forgiving in a good way, and it has nothing to do with price.
If it were me, Id go alu, light bikes feel nice, but Im not so convinced they add much to the speed.
That's a whole other debate though isn't it! I sort of agree with you but I think any noticeable weight difference actually [i]encourages[/i] you to go faster, and also I'd be using the bike for CX racing so actual dead weight of the bike does become a factor when you're lifting and running with it.
Using your estimate I would still think the aluminium bike could come out tops, changing the wheels could save 500g easily (according to what weights I've been able to find, stock Giant wheels could easily be 2200g, they're basically XC 29er wheels). That way, I might not end up with a lighter bike, but at least I have one with lighter wheels!
Plus in my experience you spend less time chasing creaks with aluminium frames...
I’ve been looking at the giant bikes too... the weights are on the German site! The revolt 0 is 10.3kg in medium, the revolt advanced is 9.1 kg
If all else is exactly equal I would go with the Alu frame and save the £700.
Alu frame with probably be around 500 grams heaver which won't be that noticeable in overall weight once riding. As for comfort of the materials that is all irrelevant to me once you have 40c tyres or whatever on it.
the weights are on the German site!
Awesome, good find!
Shame the models are different, the Advanced 1 has a 1x groupset and different wheels, so it's difficult to compare. Still, even allowing half a kilogram for a 2x groupset and heavier wheels, the aluminium version is still potentially 600g heavier, so bang on TiNaS's estimate.
That’s the closest you come to inweights tho. My buddy that works in the bike shop actually suggested the Ali and upgrade the wheels. In the UK the revolt advanced 2 and revolt 0 are the same group set but don’t seem available in Germany!
Yeah, definitely coming round to the ally version with upgraded wheels.
Just doing the maths in my head I could quickly drop 500g off the wheels, probably 300g off the tyres and tubes, and ironically when I am racing I'll be running 1x so another 2-300g for big chainring/chain links/front mech and cable.
Brings it down to 9.3kg give or take. So long as it is lighter than my winter road bike then at least it will 'feel' racier!
Makes me wonder what the aluminium Orbea Terra weighs... tried the German website but no joy ; )
I’m torn between the giant advanced and Cannondale Topstone Carbon or the cotic and Bombtrack. all around the 2k mark. I just don’t know what I really want atm, something for speed and hooning or for comfort and bike packing!
Daftvader - check out the Orbea bikes, I've always had half an eye on them as I prefer the looks and there is a local shop that sells them who I would like to support.
I just found a weight for the aluminium Terra equivalent to the Giant Revolt, it's apparently 9.5kg although they don't say what frame size.
Also there's the Cube C:62 Cross Pro, £2k on the nose for all Ultegra, apparently 8.7kg.
Not sure how appropriate for backpacking or hooning though, I'm looking for CX race and lumpy road use only!
I’ve got an Orbea hybrid and don’t much like it tbh... the new cubes look alright. They’re a bit racer for my tastes though, which is the issue I’m coming up against with the Cannondale. Aghhhhh! Too much choice! 😭
I would go alloy with upgraded wheels. You will notice 2-300g of weight in the wheels much more than you will in a frame.
Alu. But my Grade has those springy glass fibre seatstays which I think are more than a gimmick (been riding it now for over three years so more or less decided it works!)
Stock Giant PX2 wheels do indeed weigh a lot, 2.2kg guess not far off, my rear weighed 1150g which i noted down, front from memory was 950+g
I switched to Kinesis Cross wheels at 1600g and have some Chinese carbon tubs on the way for racing
Frustratingly, since manufacturers don’t print weights any more, I’ve no way of comparing the weight of a mid range carbon frame vs. a higher end aluminium frame. My gut says there will be very little in it, what does STW think?
go to shop and pick the bike up during the test ride?
there may well be "nothing in it" weight wise. the differences will be in the ride feel, again the test ride will reveal this
go to shop and pick the bike up during the test ride?
there may well be “nothing in it” weight wise. the differences will be in the ride feel, again the test ride will reveal this
Absolutely, just window-shopping right now until I can afford new bike in January. Also just trying to narrow things down as can sometimes be a bit awkward asking for test rides on multiple bikes and brands!
Anyway, pretty good consensus for going aluminium with upgrades rather than max the budget out on the carbon, could even leave some money free for a better waterproof which will probably make a bigger difference to my riding than anything else..
Stock Giant PX2 wheels do indeed weigh a lot, 2.2kg guess not far off, my rear weighed 1150g which i noted down, front from memory was 950+g
Sounds like the wheels on my Trek Superfly, Bontrager something-or-other, basically XC 29er wheels also.