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Looking at doing a custom 'adventure/road' bike build. One reason is for the 7 mile hard packed track to work and the other, which gets reinforced every time I go out on my carbon road bike is the terrible road conditions. Metallised roads that are peeling apart are just so uncomfortable to ride on.
Keen to understand how much damping you get from a Ti frame compared to a high end 2k carbon race frame. I currently have an Argon 18 Gallium Pro, which is super stiff, but the road buzz goes right through it.
I think you've already worked out that carbon frames can be made more comfy than your Argon. There's a similar (though IME narrower) variation in Ti frames. Also bear in mind the impact of fashionably wider tyres and rims.
Who is doing custom carbon frames?
It's more about the design than the material
YEAH I WAS FIRST
depends on the titanium, depends on the carbon, it's not so much about the material but more about how it's applied
your Argon might be designed to be stiff, it's a race frame, you can buy carbon bikes that are designed to be softer and comfy over rough terrain
edit - DAMMIT
Shirley it depends how sensitive your arse is to 'buzz' too, have a try. I think my R3 feels the same as my old Giant TCR, mate (who now owns it) swears the Giant is much stiffer.
Bike build.Who is doing custom carbon frames?
I hadn't considered a different carbon frame. I suppose those marketed at endurance will offer better damping or could they be the same, but just a different geometry?
I can see this choice being a tough one to make.
An endurance (or even a Sportif) bike will usually have more damping/flex than a full-on carbon racer.
Thanks. Be interesting to try one.An endurance (or even a Sportif) bike will usually have more damping/flex than a full-on carbon racer.
Tyre size and pressure is far, far more important than frame material. The most important aspect of frame design for comfort is a short seat tube so you have a longer seatpost.
Yup, 23 to 25 mm will make more difference to feel that a material frame swap.
If you want carbon custom, U.K. made, get in touch with Filament (was Craddock) cycles. Amazing frames and he really understands carbon. Don't forget steel. A quality steel frame is a great ride.
The 40c+ tyres you can run on an adventure bike will make more difference than the frame material.
But the correct answer is steel.
The correct answer is
Bigger lower pressure tyres are the answer, possibly combined with more comfortable bars/bar tape/saddle.