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    I have a gravel frame aluminium and carbon fork, is it better upgrade to a carbon frame or carbon wheels?

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    10 Comments

    1. AutoModerator on

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    2. forkbeard on

      What are you hoping to get out of the upgrade?

      I don’t think it makes sense to upgrade the frame when a new frameset cost 800€ for a no-name frame from China and something like a specialized or trek cost around 3000€. It’s more affordable to just buy a complete carbon bike and sell your old one.

      For wheels, a light wheelset direct [from china cost around 900€](https://www.9velo.com/products/gravel-gv-series?VariantsId=10032), [a custom built one around 1450€](https://r2-bike.com/Wheelset-28-Disc-GRV-DT-Swiss-240-EXP-Straightpull-Center-Lock-Hubs-Duke-World-Runner-27-SLR2-24-24-Carbon-Gravel-Rims-Shimano-Road-Sapim-CX-Ray) and a non-custom wheelset from a premium brand such as roval or DT-swiss cost about the same on sale.

    3. FixFix75 on

      It depends what you are after I think. If you would just change to a CF frame with the same components I think you’ll be very disappointed with the lack of actual performance benefits.
      Yes, you’ll shave off a few 100 grams, but those are pretty meaningless.
      Can’t comment on the wheels yet. I recently purchased my first CF wheelset (LB WD50) but haven’t used them yet. A CF wheelset is likely to be a lot more stiff than an alu wheelset. But this may also result in an actual less comfortable wheelset. I’ve been building my own wheels for a while now, have always build them to be as bombproof as possible with 32 or 36 spokes and no regards to weight. So I’m quite curious to see how the CF wheelset compare to my own builds.

      I recently changed from an alu road frame to a CF all-road frame. The new bike is a lot more comfortable, but I think mainly due to: 1) wider tires (25 to 32mm), 2) 27.2mm CF seatpost vs 31.6 Alu post, 3)very comfortable CF handlebar (coefficient RR)

      As much as I like my bike, I can’t shake the feeling that in general CF frames are overrated. The correct geometry and size will be much, much more important than the material the frame is made of. Don’t let the marketing people try to convince you otherwise.

      I’m not trying to talk you out of upgrading to a CF frame, but I would try to remain realistic about the actual improvements. It’s not an upgrade by default, there are lots of highly capable aluminum frames around.

    4. GnastyNoodlez on

      I have alu frame carbon fork and upgraded to carbon wheels from the stock dt seiss alloys. I love it but it wasn’t cheap (I went pretty high end wheelset) but the ride is so much better on gravel now and climbing is a bit easier too with the less weight

    5. TheCrowsSoundNice on

      Carbon wheels will make you faster, but are a little more delicate. Are you a heavy rider that smashes the course? A carbon frame will barely make you any faster, might might might improve ride quality, might not, and you have to be more careful with it not banging it into rocks or trees and cracking it.

    6. SoggyAlbatross2 on

      I have a carbon gravel bike and the first thing I did was buy carbon wheels – probably shaved 800 grams off the whole bike weight between the lighter wheels (about 1600g) and tubeless. On top of that, the new wheelset feels really “planted” when going through rough rock gardens, which are common in SoCal, where as my al wheels felt like they’d ricochet off things.

      Most of the knock on AL frames is relevant to road bikes at road bike tire pressures but if you’re riding at 35 psi, you won’t have any of that buzz to deal with. Carbon frames are sturdy AF too but in a gravel configuration I don’t think they’re particularly lighter than Al.

    8. WealthApprehensive26 on

      Carbon frames look absolutely amazing no doubt. But the truth is most of us casual riders would never actually notice any difference in the riding feel other than weight. Not to mention they are so fragile. I crashed on some single track a couple weeks ago and definitely would have tore my frame up if it was carbon. You may be able to justify a carbon gravel/road bike but I would never purchase a carbon mtn/downhill bike. One hard crash and your $5k+ investment is wall art.

    9. Bsemp86 on

      Just upgraded to carbon wheels as my old ones died. I have to say not the upgrade I was hoping for. The hubs are vastly superior but the reduction in weight is almost unnoticeable.

      I’ll say ride what you have until it breaks. And then spend the money.

    10. Liquidwombat on

      Neither. Neither will offer any meaningful difference and both are very expensive.

      Get a good carbon seatpost and better tires

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