In this spring of racing some fixed points were questioned and a question made its way into the beer reflections after the lap: do you really need to have a carbon bike?
Surely this question comes to the people who earn their salary, certainly not to Gianni Versace. Space for the video or continue reading the text version.
Looking at the results of the first two stages of the DH Word Cup, and partly also of the first EWS, the answer could be a sharp no.
In Fort William stop, we find 3 riders with aluminum bikes in the first 5 males while, in the Leogang women's race, only Eleonora Farina has a carbon model in the first 5 positions. Scrolling then also those of theTweed Valley EWS, we will see a young Vidal in ninth position and other riders in the top ten.
It could be said that international pro riders would be able to win even with a graziella, but the reality is now very different. The increasingly narrow gaps oblige the riders to take care of every detail in a maniacal way; if we think that the first 4 of Fort Williams were enclosed in less than a second, we understand well how talent is no longer enough to emerge, but a series of very important physical and technical factors are needed. Trying to combine this consideration with the results, we could say that perhaps in some disciplines the material with which the frame is built is not so important, but other aspects related to the chassis in general count.
To put it brutally, an aluminum MTB with a mono fork and top wheels is better than a carbon model with a lower set-up.
We don't make all the grass a path
But if this discourse can be valid for the disciplines where the driving component is very important, the discourse changes if we speak of the "pedaling" disciplines. In XC, but even more in marathons, the weight element plays an important role so, on the long climbs of a Hero rather than the relaunch of a circuit of cross country, the weight of the masses involved should also be considered among the elements to be considered in order to optimize the result.
So, for the same performance, a lighter component may be the best choice.
There is a though ...
But we like to put a flea in the ear of some gram diehard. In fact, there is an element to consider even in this situation and it is called 'tailor-made': Once upon a time the many bikes of high ranking riders were in fact built on the needs and anthropometric measures of the athlete.
This possibility has disappeared with carbon. Even in the golden world of the road, the bikes of the most illustrious PROs are in fact stock frames to which the saddle, handlebar and pipe are adapted to suit their needs. From this point of view, the possibilities offered by metal alloys are precisely that of designing the frame starting from the rider, a fact that could greatly help adaptation and performance.
From this point of view in Italy we are masters. We lack brands capable of competing with major international brands, more for an economic aspect than for skills as we boast artisans capable of creating real works of art. This would allow us to make a good impression even at the bar with the guy with the 10k bike: it's just a matter of culture.
But we amateurs?
The speech made so far is valid for those looking for absolute performance, but for most of us these speeches only serve to order an extra beer at the end of a tour. However, there is a discourse that should instead find us more attentive and sensitive, the financial one: a carbon bike costs much more than an aluminum one; with the same set-up they can also dance 1.500 / 2.000 euros.
Figures of all respect, which should make us reflect on the opportunities for choice; unless we are aperitif bikers, who love to keep their beauty in the living room and show it off just to show how rich and cool you are with the 10k two wheels.
Unfortunately, not all brands have a price list with aluminum versions and premium fittings, this is the biggest problem, but it is worth looking for the best, because as the results of the 'strong ones' show, carbon is not that much better. … ..
But why are there so many Commmencals in the DH Word Cup?
One might say why they go faster, but instead the reason could be different and more serious. The Andorran brand, like others, has chosen the path of selling via the Web, effectively eliminating the possibility of promoting through traditional sales channels, i.e. shopkeepers who give the bike to the local athlete create an identification mechanism.
Lacking this element, brands that rely on online sales need to invest more in teams, increasing their presence. This, however, is a speech that would lead us to order another beer, but the MTB ride has already finished a couple of hours and perhaps it is better to leave it for a new appointment.
To the e-bikers the arduous sentence.
