Convince me on Carbon over Bamboo

I'm getting pretty close to upgrading from a Gen2 bamboo to a GT. What should I get, Carbon or Bamboo?

I've briefly ridden both and read and watched endless material on them both. It comes down to this: flex vs. range. That really seems to be it (apart from aethstetics).

Bamboo = shorter range, but more flex = a more satisfying carve; or
Carbon = longer range (longer wheel base) and a much stiffer ride.

Other than that all of the specs are really exactly the same.

With the AT option the beez kneez at the moment, there's a lot to be said for the extra range the carbon provides (considering the AT wheels gobble up so much range/battery life), but I feel like I will very much miss the flex and carve of the bamboo, particularly on the street w street wheels.

One other point to the bamboo is that everything (including the deck) is interchangeable. You can swap out parts on the carbon, sure, but the deck in the mainstay, and I hear people are running into problems with chipping and cracking etc.

So, carbon guys, convince me on carbon over bamboo. Help me (and others who might be reading and facing the same dilemma) make the hard choice!

 

It all really comes down to range. If you need that extra range, pick a carbon. If you don't, pick the bamboo. The price difference is substantial and it really isn't worth the extra $$$ for a carbon if you don't need the range.

In my opinion ofcourse

PS. I have a carbon.

 

Both decks have some problems with cracking, but the Bamboo seems to have a bit more of them.

 

The lab range of the carbon is 50kms. What does this reduce to (roughly) with the AT wheels?

 

Depends on the rider and style ofcourse. I'm a big dude (95kg) and get about 25km cruising and 20km hard riding.

 

Carbon is longer, i little bit wider and has a drop down deck so its more stable of a board. It also in my own opinion looks cleaner and better looking than the bamboo or any wood deck.

More range means more time at its rated top speed, remember that top speed drops with the voltage of the battery so in my carbon it holds 26/25mph for about 3-4 miles running at top speed on flats then drops down to 24mph. So with the bamboo that will be even less. Also with the carbon more time that you're not dropped into ECO when you do run the pack down to its lower SOC.

 

THIS. My wife has a bamboo GT so I can confirm this is the main difference. If you like to ride at max speed for awhile you better get that carbon. My wife does not care because she doesn't cruise at max speed. If you intend to do all terrain or 97mm flywheels this becomes even more of a factor. The carbon after about 7 miles for me starts dropping into eco mode when full throttling up hills. I run it fast when I ride.

 

I also want to mention that I don't care if my board feels flexible. I get no additional enjoyment out of the bamboo. I'm sure that is a personal factor.

 

Bamboo all the the way!

 

Hi Guys, thanks heaps for all of your input. I have decided to go for a Bamboo GT 2-in-1. Reasoning:

The Carbon GT is a further $550 AUD no matter which way you split it for roughly a further 15km range. That's it, that's actually the entirety of performance difference. Physically the Carbon is longer and stiffer, where as the Bamboo is slightly shorter and more flexible (with the added bonus of being able to completely change the deck if you so please because the battery is still in the screw-on-screw-off case).

Having now had the chance to try a couple of Carbons in different wheel configurations I can confirm (and this is really a personal choice) that the stiffness of the Carbon is not for me (particularly after having and getting used to the feel of a Bamboo after owing a Gen2), the longer wheel base doesn't present any kind of advantage for me, personally, and the additional range is something I simply will not use. I'll be stopping at a charge point on any ride long before range becomes an issue on either board. I cannot imagine going 50km range on street wheels on something as stiff as a carbon deck! It ain't gonna happen! Your legs would give out before you got close to that range! So for me my choice has netted a $550 AUD saving and I still get the flex and magic of the Bamboo I've come to love.

The drop deck feel of the Carbon GT is a nice addition to that board over their V1 Carbon, but the Bamboo GT has a concave deck that more than mirrors this effect (it's not a flat deck).

Range is really the only possible reason I can see that would require someone to choose carbon over bamboo. If range is a serious concern for you, then yes, carbon is the way to go (but remember your poor legs!)

The board is currently enroute and I can't wait for my upgrade to get here! Be holding onto my Gen2 as a back-up board and something for friends to try and come out on rides with me with.

Will I ever get a carbon? Well, put it this way, I'm keen to see what Evolve do next and my old Gen2 isn't going to last forever, and I always want to run two boards...

Thanks again, and I hope this thread is of some use to other people trying to make the tough decision.

 

Glad we helped you get sorted out. Both are great boards so you couldn't really go wrong either way.