Carbon Bike
June 10th, 2010
How much does a Carbon bicycle cost? Are they better then steel, alumenium bikes?
Hi, i want to buy a carbon bike hopefully in the summer for college. Im looking for a carbon adult sized bicycle, how much would that cost? whats the average price range?
I would be happy if you can give me information on carbon bikes, like their advantages and disadvantages over alumenium, steel bikes and experience uses them are they much better for the road?
As with all things cycling related, you gets what you pay for, but be careful of marketing babble and hype.
Each frame material has it’s benefits and pitfalls, it’s a case of working out what you need the bike for, how long you expect it to last for and what your budget is.
Carbon is the de-facto standard in the pro peleton, because it’s light and rigid. It’s still relatively expensive, and a serious crash could irreparably damage the frame. Carbon fibre frames are made by gluing layers of carbon weaved material in a mould, so a bad crash could cause the layers of carbon to delaminate leading to failure. A really bad impact can see the carbon literally snap. However, they’re super light, super rigid and generally look the bee’s knees!
You can buy a Ribble Nero Corsa by Dedacciai of Italy for £400 (frame only). Conversely, you could spend £2,200 on a Cervelo S2 (frame only) or an Isaac Sonic (frame only) for £1600. All have their merits and drawbacks! A good carbon bike to go for without breaking the bank is the Trek Madone 5.2 – e.g. http://www.kbcycles.com/more_details.php?id=100081
Aluminum frames tend to be extremely light because the tubes have extremely thin walls. They are also very stiff because the frames are made with oversized tubing. Alloy frames can also be bought quite cheap now. The downside is that aluminum has a low fatigue life, and has a fatigue memory. Several crashes or abuse will lead the alloy failing, resulting in a snapped frame. Again, Ribble do a solid budget line of alloy frames for around £140 or you could buy a Cervelo S1 for £800.
Steel frames were once the only choice for people without big bank accounts, but now steel tends to be more of a custom option. Steel is generally heavier than all the other materials, but is generally quite rigid and has a good fatigue life compared to alloy.
I personally ride a titanium road bike, made by Justin Burls (www.burls.co.uk). Titanium is extremely light, resistant to corrosion (so you don’t need to paint it and it won’t rust) and it’s super strong. The pitfall is that it’s expensive and doesn’t have the same rigidity as carbon and most aluminum frames.
My advice would be to ride the bikes within your budget and see what feels nicest. Don’t forget it’s not just about material, the geometry is important and so is the intended use of the bike.
I hope this helps you!
James
Amazing stunt riding…on a carbon road bike
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Advanced Pro Mitho Light Carbon Road Bike Frameset $599.99 |
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Ergon GS-2 Pro Carbon Grips Small w/Barends Black Mountain Bike Hybrid Bicycle $89.99 |
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Shimano R-240 road bike cycling shoes. Carbon, custom moldable. multiple sizes. $180.00 |
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08 ORBEA ONIX DAMA 53cm Women’s Road Bike Frameset Full Carbon W/Fork Pink NEW $724.97 |
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Ergon GS-2 Pro Carbon Grips Large w/Barends Black Mountain Bike Hybrid Bicycle $89.99 |
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2009 ORBEA ONIX 54cm Road Bike Frameset Full Carbon W/Fork Blue NEW $724.97 |
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NEW 2009 CycloCross Road Bike Frame & Carbon Fork – CX $369.95 |
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Specialized Globe Comp IG8 W Unisex Bike – Carbon fork – 8 Internal Hub Gears $98.00 |
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Ritchey Pro 4-Axis 44 Carbon Matrix Road Bike Handlebar Stem 31.8 x 130mm 2012 $126.44 |
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Ritchey Pro 4-Axis 44 Carbon Matrix Road Bike Handlebar Stem 31.8 x 120mm 2012 $126.44 |
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Colnago CX-1 Evo 2012 Carbon Road Bike Frame 50s $1,499.99 |
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RITCHEY PRO 4-AXIS 44 MATRIX CARBON BIKE STEM 110mm $89.95 |
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SPECIALIZED BG S-Works Men’s Road Bicycle Bike Carbon Reinforced Shoes Uk 12.5 $173.80 |
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Bontrager RXL Carbon Fiber Big Sweep Mountian Bike MTB Handlebar Race X Lite $27.00 |
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2006 Look 555 55cm Road Bike Carbon Frame $1,099.00 |
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Road Bike wheels 50mm Carbon Rim $474.21 |
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Shimano Dura Ace 7900 10-speed Flight Deck Carbon Road Bike Shifters $259.99 |
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Easton EC90 SLX Road Bike Fork Carbon 1 1/8″ 43mm Rake 210mm $299.00 |
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NEW Time Atac XS Carbon Mountain Bike Pedals with cleats $131.50 |
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New 2012 TIME VRS Fluidity White Road Bike Carbon Frameset No Reserve! $2,400.00 |
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STRADALLI 3K FULL CARBON 1-1/8 STEM 31.8 ROAD MTB TT TRI BIKE BICYCLE RED 90mm $88.99 |
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Sette Phantom Carbon Mountain Bike Frame 1100 grams 2.4 lbs Carbon Fiber $101.00 |
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STRADALLI 3K FULL CARBON 1-1/8 STEM 31.8 ROAD MTB TT TRI BIKE BICYCLE RED 100mm $88.99 |
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STRADALLI 3K FULL CARBON 1-1/8 STEM 31.8 ROAD MTB TT TRI BIKE BICYCLE RED 110mm $88.99 |
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STRADALLI 3K FULL CARBON 1-1/8 STEM 31.8 ROAD MTB TT TRI BIKE BICYCLE RED 120mm $88.99 |
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carbon road bike wheels $395.18 |
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LITB Mountain Bike 100% Full Carbon Fiber MTB Frame $369.99 |
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STRADALLI 90mm 3K FULL CARBON 1-1/8 STEM 31.8 ROAD MTB TT TRI BIKE BICYCLE WHITE $88.99 |
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STRADALLI 100 mm 3K FULL CARBON 1-1/8 STEM ROAD MTB TT TRI BIKE BICYCLE WHITE $88.99 |
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STRADALLI 110 mm 3K FULL CARBON 1-1/8 STEM ROAD MTB TT TRI BIKE BICYCLE WHITE $88.99 |
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STARADLLI TREBISACCE SL1 BB30 CARBON ROAD BIKE FRAME SET BICYCLE Limited Ed 50cm $1,099.99 |
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Bianchi Methanol SL Carbon Mountain Bike & XTR Components $1,499.99 |
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STRADALLI 120 mm 3K FULL CARBON 1-1/8 STEM ROAD MTB TT TRI BIKE BICYCLE WHITE $88.99 |
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Pinarello FP2 Carbon Road Bike $1,999.00 |
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CARBON FIBER FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE SCOOTER STREET SPORT BIKE HELMET SZ. S M L XL $27.94 |
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CARBON FIBER FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE SCOOTER STREET SPORT BIKE HELMET SZ. S M L XL $27.94 |
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CARBON FIBER FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE SCOOTER STREET SPORT BIKE HELMET SZ. S M L XL $27.94 |
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CARBON FIBER FULL FACE MOTORCYCLE SCOOTER STREET SPORT BIKE HELMET SZ. S M L XL $27.94 |
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Oval R9 Ergolite Carbon Road Bike Handlebar 40cm 31.8mm $54.93 |
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Look 585, Carbon Road Bike $1,200.00 |
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Look Keo 2 max carbon white road racing bicycle bike pedal. new $139.00 |
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New 2011 Fuji SST 3.0 Carbon Road Bike Shimano 105 Mens M sz 54 red $1,950.00 |
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New 2011 Fuji SST 2.0 Carbon Road Bike Shimano Ultegra Mens L sz 56 Blue $2,499.00 |
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New 2011 SRAM S60 Carbon Road bike Wheelset GREY $1,299.00 |
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STRADALLI TREBISACCE RED PRO SRAM RED BLACK SL CARBON ROAD BIKE BICYCLE 58 cm $4,099.00 |
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2012 LOOK KEO 2 MAX Carbon road bike pedals with Cleats New $179.00 |
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STRADALLI TREBISACCE RED PRO SRAM RED PRO CARBON ROAD BIKE HED BICYCLE 58 cm $3,599.00 |
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STRADALLI TREBISACCE RED PRO SRAM RED CARBON ROAD BIKE BICYCLE VENTO FIZIK 58 cm $3,199.00 |
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STRADALLI TREBISACCE RED PRO SRAM RED BLACK CARBON ROAD BIKE BICYCLE 58 cm 50/50 $3,199.00 |
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2012 Scott CR1 Pro Carbon Fiber Road Bike Frame 58cm New!! $571.00 |
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STRADALLI TREBISACCE RED PRO CARBON ROAD BIKE SRAM RED 10 spd BICYCLE 58 cm $2,999.00 |
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STRADALLI TREBISACCE RED PRO CARBON ROAD BIKE SRAM FORCE 10 spd BICYCLE 58 cm $2,399.00 |
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2012 New Bike bicycle Cycling Carbon fiber color Water Bottle Holder Cages $3.83 |
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STARADLLI TREBISACCE RED PRO BB30 CARBON ROAD BIKE FRAME BICYCLE FRAME SET 58 cm $999.00 |
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REYNOLDS AM CARBON 26″ MOUNTAIN BIKE WHEELSET 6 BOLT DISC TUBELESS SHIMANO NEW $699.00 |
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Mega Blok Probuilder carbon series 3268 sports bike new $8.50 |
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M60 New Carbon Blue MTB Road Bike Bicycle Helmet sz L $17.99 |
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NEW IN BOX SixSixOne Pro Bravo Carbon Fullface Helmet 661 Mountain Biking BMX S $149.95 |
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Bell Motocross Mountain Bike Gloves Carbon Kevlar : XL $20.53 |
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Bell Motocross Mountain Bike Gloves Carbon Kevlar : L $20.53 |
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56cm 2006 Cannondale Synapse – Full Carbon Road Bicycle, Ultegra & Dura Ace Bike $1,800.00 |
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2012 SANTA CRUZ HIGHBALL CARBON 29ER HARDTAIL BIKE FRAME MOUNTAIN BICYCLES $1,125.00 |
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661 Six Six One Evo Camber Carbon Full Face Downhill Bike Helmet Red Large 2012 $312.90 |
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CARBON BLUE MX DIRT RACING BIKE DUNE BUGGY BMX MX SPORTS PROTECTIVE GLOVE GL02 $14.99 |
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Topeak ALiEN Carbon 25 Piece Multi Tool + Pouch. Use for mountain or road bikes. $60.00 |
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RITCHEY PRO 4-AXIS 44 MATRIX CARBON BIKE STEM 120mm $89.95 |
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2012 Cannondale SuperSix 6 Carbon Fiber Road Bike. Size: 52cm. SRAM Apex. BB30 $1,599.99 |
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Campagnolo Record QS 10 Speed Road Bike Front Derailleur Carbon Titanium $19.00 |
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SHIMANO DURA ACE 7900 GROUP 10×2 ROAD BIKE PARTS GROUPO CARBON SHIFTERS 175 mm $970.00 |
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58cm GAVIN LINEA TRI FULL CARBON FIBER TRIATHLON BIKE $899.00 |
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ZEUS CAT III 3 Carbon Fiber Road Bike Stem 120mm 31.8mm Threadless NEW $69.97 |
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ENVE COMPOSITES CARBON STEM 110 mm / 31.8 mm CYCLING BICYCLE PARTS STEMS BIKE $227.00 |
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Formula R1 MTB Bike Disc Brake — Rare White, Carbon Levers, Rotors, Ti Hardware $256.00 |
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Climax HR03B Road Bike 3K carbon integrated Compact handlebar stem 42×10 Red New $288.00 |
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Climax HR03B Road Bike 3K carbon integrated Compact handlebar stem 42×9 Red New $288.00 |
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Climax HR03B Road Bike 3K carbon integrated Compact handlebar stem 44×10 Red New $288.00 |
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Climax HR03B Road Bike 3K carbon integrated Compact handlebar stem 44×11 Red New $288.00 |
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Climax HR03B Road Bike 3K carbon integrated Compact handlebar stem 44×12 Red New $288.00 |
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Pearl Izumi Elite Road Bike II 2 SPD Shoe Carbon Black/White Size EU 44 RRP£160 $189.67 |
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ENVE COMPOSITES CARBON FIBER SWEEP HANDLE BAR BICYCLE PARTS MOUNTAIN ROAD BIKE $128.50 |
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Carbon Fiber Plastic Body Work Fairing Kit for Honda XR50 CRF50 125cc Pit Bike $19.95 |
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FSA SLK carbon lightweight mountain bike bicycle flat handle bar 31.8 x 620mm $42.00 |
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EDGE COMPOSITES CARBON SEATPOST 30.9 mm CYCLING MOUNTAIN ROAD BIKE PARTS SEAT $52.00 |
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NEW merek 25g Full Carbon mount for Bike bar Stem Computer Extend extension $20.50 |
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EXUSTAR E-SM322 Mountain Bike Shoe Carbon 39 6.5 US NEW $59.97 |
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ITM ROAD BIKE SEATPOST CLAMP FOR CARBON FRAME Size 34.9mm $10.85 |
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2011 Neuvation F100 Aluminum/Carbon Road Bike 56cm Compact Double – Ultegra $900.00 |
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TIME ATAC Carbon Mountain Bike Pedals Used $51.00 |
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BH G4 Global Concept Carbon Bike Frame Size 54 $1,550.00 |
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ZEUS CAT III 3 Carbon Fiber Road Bike Stem 130mm 31.8mm Threadless NEW $69.97 |
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NEW ALPHA-Q TS10 TS-10 CARBON FIBER ROAD BIKE FORK 700C 43 BLACK $67.01 |
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CHRIS K FULL CARBON FIBER ROAD BIKE BICYCLE FORK 700C 43 370G 1 1/8″ $54.00 |
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NEW ALPHA-Q TS10 TS-10 CARBON FIBER ROAD BIKE FORK 700C 43 WHITE $33.00 |
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NEW ALPHA-Q GS20 GS-20 FULL CARBON FIBER ROAD BIKE FORK 700C BLACK $63.50 |
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SRAM S60 700C CARBON ROAD BIKE WHEELS WHEELSET SHIMANO GREY $840.00 |
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2011 Cervelo R3 58cm Carbon Road Bike, Rotor crank, Ultegra groupo, Fulcrum 7 wh $2,350.00 |
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PAIR CHRIS K CARBON FIBER WING AERO ROAD BIKE WATER BOTTLE CAGES $46.89 |
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Men’s Diadora Pro Racer Carbon Road Bike Shoe, 42 $45.00 |
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1pcs Mountain Bike Bicycle Ultra-light Full Carbon Riser Handlebar Fiber 31.8MM $41.00 |
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Bike Hanger For ZCB003 MTB Carbon Frame $3.99 Color: As PictureMaterial: Al AlloyFeatures:Bike Hanger for ZCB003 MTB Carbon Frame |
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Bike Hanger For Road 2 Road 4 Carbon Frame $7.99 Color: As PictureMaterial: Al AlloyFeatures:Bike Hanger for Road 2 amp; Road 4 Carbon Frame |
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Bike Hanger For ZCB001 ZCB002 ZCB004 Road Carbon Frame $3.99 Color: As PictureMaterial: Al AlloyFeatures:Bike Hanger for ZCB001 amp; ZCB002 amp; ZCB004 Road Carbon Frame |
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Bike $10 Bike |
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Garmin Custom Caps for zumo (Flames & Carbon Fiber) $19.57 Personalize your zumo with these custom caps to match your bike’s color scheme and attitude. Contains “flames” and “carbon fiber” designs. |
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Yakima Forklift Bike Carrier $134.1 DECENT FEATURES of the Yakima Forklift Bike Carrier Simple tool-free installation and removal of the bike mount from your car roof rack Fits most disc brakes Secure and lockable skewer with integrated adjustment knob for single-handed – easy access (SKS Lock Cores sold separately) Easy-to-adjust sliding wheel tray makes positioning the rear wheel a snap Fits car rack systems with round – square and most factory crossbars right out of the box Doesn’t touch the painted surfaces of your bike and makes for a great bike mount for your carbon rig Quick and easy – tool-free installation makes life a breeze Sleek design and automotive finish looks extremely spiffy on your vehicle The SPECS Weight: 7 lbs Dimension: long: 53.5 in. Capacity: 1 bike var dealerId=16; var newWindow= in.false in.; var docHead = document.getElementsByTagName(‘head’)[0]; var yakima_config = document.createElement(‘script’); window.onload=function(){ yakima_config.type = ‘text/javascript’; yakima_config.src = ‘http://yakima.com/dealers/yakima_configurator.js’; docHead.appendChild(yakima_config); }; |
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Yakima HighRoller Bike Mount $179.1 DECENT FEATURES of the Yakima HighRoller Bike Mount Doesn’t touch the painted surfaces of your bike and makes for a great bike mount for your carbon rig Super-strong wheel tray with a double-sided strap for an extra-stable ride No problem handling disc brakes – thru axles or funky suspensions Easy-to-reach one-knob adjuster Fits car rack systems with round or square crossbars Fits factory aerobars with the use of Universal Mighty Mounts sold separately Fits 20 in. kids’ wheels all the way up to 29 in. mountain and 700c road wheels Easy-to-adjust wheel tray fits a wide range of bike lengths (Except Tandems And Recumbents) Integrated cable lock for superior security (SKS Lock Core sold separately) The SPECS Weight: 16.5 lbs Dimension: 55 in. long – 9 in. wide at hoop assembly – tray is 4 in. wide Capacity: 1 bike var dealerId=16; var newWindow= in.false in.; var docHead = document.getElementsByTagName(‘head’)[0]; var yakima_config = document.createElement(‘script’); window.onload=function(){ yakima_config.type = ‘text/javascript’; yakima_config.src = ‘http://yakima.com/dealers/yakima_configurator.js’; docHead.appendChild(yakima_config); }; |
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Show Chrome Tank Scuff Pads Carbon Fiber $26.99 Adds a unique element to the bike with their carbon fiber look. Attaches with 3M adhesive backing (which is included) to the tank or other areas of the bike. Measures 12-3/4�L X 4-3/4�H. Sold in pairs. |
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Lightspeed Carbon Fiber Lower Fork Guards $99.99 Enhance the appearance of your bike with the Lightspeed Carbon Fiber Fork Guards. The Carbon Fiber Fork Guards are made of the highest quality carbon fiber that will give maximum strength and protection to your machine and lighten the load. The Lightspeed Carbon Fiber Fork Guards are molded to fit perfectly on your bike without having to do any extra drilling. Made from super lightweight carbon fiber |
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Alpinestars Carbon Fiber Sticker Black Silver $3 Alpinestars Carbon Fiber Sticker Black Silver Slap some style onto your bike with the Carbon Fiber Sticker from Alpinestars. Features: * 5″ wide core essentials * 100% vinyl |
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Bike It Organic T $23.78 Bike it! |