What is the difference between dry carbon and carbon fiber?

Is there a true difference from aluminum and carbon fiber bikes?

• i am choosing between a trek 1.1 aluminum at 750$ or trek madone 3.1 carbon fiber at 2000$ the weight difference is 21 lbs for the 1.1 and the madone 3.1 is at 18 lbs is the weight difference really matter.

• Answer:

  The difference between a 1.1 and a Madone is NOT about weight. They are very close in weight in bare frames. The large difference between the two frames is what their intended use is. The 1.1 is an entry level club ride bike. It will give you plenty of miles and be a competent machine if you love riding at 15 - 18 mph. The components are worthy of what it is made to do. A Madone -- every Madone is made to race and/or performance road riding. They are made stiffer in critical areas. Compare the bottom bracket surround structure between the two. While comparing look at the head tube. The Madone uses a 1 1/4 + 1 1/8 head set -- thicker at the bottom than the top. Madone's are stiff and rigid to make each stroke of the crank equate to as much power as possible. Ride it if you are looking to attack hills and love riding at 20 - 30 mph. The comparison between carbon fiber, aluminum, steel, titanium and other frame materials is less about the weight, but rather about how each material performs.