I’ve ridden aluminum (including fork) for the last 15 years and have had no problems with the frame. While riding the last year or so I’ve really put my old bike to the limit because I’m sure it wasn’t designed to carry a 260 pound rider. It’s performed great though. As I’ve been looking for a new bike I’ve fondled a couple of carbon fiber bikes but am really hesitant to even test ride one because I know I’ll probably love it but am afraid I’m too heavy for the frame. I don’t want it to die a slow death due to the stress of carrying me, or worse, fail catastrophically while riding.

This question was thrust back into the spotlight this weekend when I looked at a bike mentioned to me by one of my local readers here in Dallas. It’s a 2009 Fuji CCR2 on closeout at Performance Bike. I honestly don’t know too much about Fuji’s, and always thought of them as ‘department store’ bikes, but I think their reputation has been growing the last few years. The bike I looked at was all carbon fiber outfitted with a full Ultegra setup for $1500. If I remember correctly, that’s almost $1000 off the list. It’s a beautiful bike. The price is about the max I wanted to spend but the fact that it’s a full carbon bike has given me reservations because of my weight.

I’m also hesitant to buy a carbon fiber bike because of the message it sends. A grotesquely overweight guy riding a light carbon fiber bike isn’t something I want to be remembered for. Especially when I know that I’d get more benefit, in both riding and in my health, by shedding 90 pounds.

So, I’m looking for opinions/facts on heavy riders and carbon fiber bikes. Am I best off just going with an aluminum frame/carbon fiber fork setup or am I OK going all carbon? I’m sure the manufacturer specs for the bike will help me determine this but I’m interested in your opinions and thoughts.

In the last 10 years or so carbon fiber frames have gained in popularity beginning with carbon fiber forks being placed on bicycles frames made from metal. Now you can get complete frames made from carbon fiber including additional bicycle parts like seat posts, brake levers, wheel sets, handlebars, cranks, and water bottle cages. The only limitation you have is the size of your wallet.

For those that can’t make the move to a full carbon frame, many manufacturers produce bicycles that use a mix of both carbon fiber and aluminum materials. Typically these are aluminum frames with carbon fiber forks, seat stays and/or chain stays. These types of configurations keep the costs down while letting riders enjoy the benefits or carbon – weight savings, ride dampening, and poseur-ness.

The poseur-ness factor is only fully enjoyed if you also ride in a full team kit and shave your legs. Is there anything wrong with the poseur factor? Heck no. I hope to be able to achieve that level someday. Just not sure about shaving my legs though. We’ll have to see.

The question, as the post title so aptly states, is which bicycle frame material is the best? I expect a lot of different answers here (assuming folks take the time to answer) so don’t hold back. Tell me which is the best and why you think so.