[Heavenknows]

So what about a full HT carbon bike in terms of comfort? And I mean FULL, from the wheels to saddle and of course the frame.

I don’t want to compare to a FS but maybe with the right flex spot is a very noticeable upgrade in terms of comfort compared to a lets says an aluminum bike or even a frame alone carbon bike?

Or maybe it’s like “a HT is going to be always a HT”

Recently I swapped to a cheap chinese carbon seat post and saddle and let me tell you, is noticeable more comfy, frame and wheels still aluminum but I don’t know if they chinese are way to flex ...

 

[Catmandoo]

I’d bet you could blind taste test carbon, aluminum, steel and titanium, same wheels, same components and not be able to tell which is which. Especially on a 29” with 2.4+ tires at 20 psi.

 

[twodownzero]

I'd bet you could blind taste test carbon, aluminum, steel and titanium, same wheels, same components and not be able to tell which is which. Especially on a 29" with 2.4+ tires at 20 psi.

I agree with this. This is a myth. Frame material does not change ride quality. Let some air out of your tires if the ride is rough. Pump your tires up hard if you want to feel the high frequency vibration. A tire can deflect 100x more than the whole length of the frame.

 

[Heavenknows]

Call it flex call it absortion ... my carbon saddle and seatpost gave me a softer ride and I already got some 3” tires on my hardtail. So i feel maybe a frame and wheels it’s comfy (not performy 😂) enough to no need a FS.

 

[Lone Rager]

Agree. Frame material contributes very little on an mtb compared to tire squish.

 

[J.B. Weld]

I have a carbon seatpost and it's nice but I don't get 4" of travel out of it.

 

[Heavenknows]

I have a carbon seatpost and it's nice but I don't get 4" of travel out of it.

Neither I buddy but is noticeable more rest to my a** when I'm going through rocky sections. Still I need to stand when bumps coming but I never compared this to a FS because is dumb

 

[gdb85]

IMO a hard tail is a hard tail is a hard tail but a good steel or titanium frame will have you less fatigued after a 15-20 mile ride. I will also agree that tires are real important on a hardtail if you're looking for a little comfort.

 

[scottzg]

I completely agree with OP's premise- carbon is the most effective placebo there is. If you've found indiscriminately distributed carbon is an effective placebo, increasing its use is a surefire way to get more betterness.


On the other hand, if your carbon placebo isn't working, an alternate material used in a different (or possibly the same) design might offer more comfort or whatever you're looking for.