Which Carbon Bike Parts You Need to Buy?
The bicycle industry has seen remarkable growth lately, thanks to the easing of health restrictions when riding outdoors and the gradual, increasing demand for carbon fiber bike components. Carbon fiber components are less durable than aluminum and expensive. Still, they're also lightweight, have high fatigue life and stiffness, and add optimum comfort to your ride.
If you're planning to have a bicycle, check out the following list of carbon bike parts you need to buy, depending on specifications.
- Frame
The frame is no doubt the most vital component of the bicycle.
When purchasing a carbon bike frame, though, make sure that you're choosing the most durable one or buying from a widely recognized manufacturer. In some cases, carbon fiber bike frames may easily crack due to overly tightened components or as a result of even just a light impact.
Thankfully, you can still have a damaged carbon fiber frame repaired at your nearest shop. Carbon bike frames also are not corrosive and offer better ride quality since they weigh lighter and use a less dense material.
- Fork
As for bicycle forks, those made of carbon fiber are well known to last nearly a lifetime in most cases. One of the key contributing factors to the advantage of a carbon fiber bike fork is the component's resistance to fatigue failures compared to its metal counterpart. Most product fatigue tests indicate that the cycle count of a carbon bike fork can last up to hundreds of thousands of cycles.
Further, the carbon bike fork is highly suitable for heavy-duty use. Heavy riders should settle on buying one because they will benefit from equipping this component in their current setup.
- Wheelset
Carbon fiber bicycle wheels used to be popular among professional racers, but now this isn't the case anymore. Outside the professional circuit, rookie racers and sportive cycling enthusiasts prefer to buy a carbon bicycle wheelset for several positive reasons.
The carbon fiber bike wheelset, even though lightweight, proves to be stiffer than its aluminum equivalent, especially during sprints. There's also the merit of aerodynamics resulting in significantly reduced drag when you opt for a carbon fiber bicycle wheelset.
Bear in mind, however, that the usual carbon bicycle wheel has inferior braking performance compared to its aluminum peer. Thus, if you have a few such components attached to the frame, always remember to ride safely.
- Stem
The stem is probably one of the most underrated components of the bike, so you have to look into buying such a product made of carbon fiber.
Once you have a carbon bike stem equipped, it will lessen the intensity of road vibrations during trips. Plus, the carbon fiber stem is lightweight, so it contributes to reducing the overall weight of your bicycle.
As a result, the carbon fiber bicycle stem is an ideal component for off-road riding.
- Handlebar
A carbon fiber bicycle handlebar - just like the previously mentioned stem - can absorb vibrations on off-road trips. Since the carbon handlebar weighs lightly, it can also help make your bike as lightweight as possible.
Consider purchasing a carbon fiber handlebar only if you want to make a custom, lightweight mountain bike and ride through off-road tracks.
- Saddle
Finally, a bicycle saddle made of carbon fiber provides additional ride comfort. Specifically, the lighter carbon saddles are very comfortable to sit on, thanks to the carbon shell that flexes even more compared to regular saddles.
In case you are looking for maximum comfort in your future bike rides, go for the lighter carbon fiber bike saddle because its heavier equivalent doesn't flex at all.
Conclusion
If you are a heavy rider and an amateur off-road cyclist but don't mind a high price tag, make sure to buy carbon bike parts instead. You'll surely experience the highest quality and most comfortable ride of your life.
