Carbon fiber is the new titanium. I remember growing up racing BMX and being jealous of the competition that had the latest and greatest titanium parts. I don’t know if it made them any faster, but it was sure cool. Many riders I hang with have carbon bars or stem or seat post. One guy has a carbon Trek Fuel frame, bars, stem and seat post. Of course he loves it. It’s ultra light weight, ultra stiff yet absorbs vibration (though, compared to the shock in the frame, I question how he can tell the difference). And it is very cool with it’s signature carbon color, stealthy matte black and gray check pattern.

I’ll admit, it’s super light and super stiff and, for the right components it’s worth the outrageous cha-ching. Carbon fiber is expensive because it’s in short supply due to the huge demands of the military and the aerospace industry.

“The biggest of the world’s bicycle makers have said they have secured enough carbon fibre for the next few months but smaller, boutique makers are finding it increasingly hard to get their hands on consistent supplies of ‘Black Gold’.”

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I’m no engineer, but I can understand the benefits, and the extra price, of a carbon bike frame, handlebars or stem. Though when I see that high priced, high zoot, carbon fiber bling in the case at the bike shop looking like expensive jewelry I have to ask myself, do I really need carbon fiber covers for my brake fluid reservoirs or the carbon fiber stickers that protect my frame from cable rub that I just bought for $7.00 a pair? I think they be made of aluminum or plastic and be just as effective, the same weight and a whole lot cheaper, though, certainly not as cool.