On a ride yesterday I came to the realization that everyone I was riding with was astride a mountain bike with a carbon fiber frame. Then I realized that that has been the case for some time. Most of the riders I ride with are currently running carbon frames. However, lately, I’ve been thinking I may choose an aluminum frame for my next build-up project.
I know what you’re thinking – why go back to alloy? And the answer to that question is simple; it comes down to the cost. If you’ve been looking at a new bike you may be thinking that mountain bikes are more expensive than ever. Or are they? Somewhere along the line, the bike industry convinced mountain bikers that you needed a $3,000+ carbon fiber frame to go mountain biking, and apparently anything else is now “entry-level”. A high-performance mountain bike runs somewhere in the $5k-6k range for “decent” components with sticker prices nearing the $10,000 price points for flagship models. But do you really need to spend that much to have fun on the trails?
I don’t think so.
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From Bermstyle
Follow us for gear reviews, news of epic trails and tips on enhancing the ride. Documenting mountain biking and cycling in the Pacific Northwest, we’re story tellers, trail builders and MTB skills coaches that live to have fun on bikes. Our mission: aid in the growth of the sport by acting as a resource for riders both new and experienced.
