What Makes a True Carbon Fiber Bike? Material Types Explained

By CarbonRawCategories: carbon raw

Many cyclists think a “carbon fiber bike” is a clear badge of quality—but the reality is more nuanced. There are major differences between materials like T700, T800, and T1000 carbon, each with specific strengths and costs.

group set bike
Push performance boundaries with carbon components engineered for speed, stability, and next-level cycling experiences, like these QO BIKE cranksets.

T700 is widely used for its balance of strength and affordability. T800 adds more stiffness per gram, making it ideal for high-performance cranksets and frames. T1000 pushes stiffness and tensile strength even further, though it can be brittle and expensive.

Brands like QO strategically use T800 in components like the QO-RACE crankset, while ROTOR combines multiple fiber types for advanced layups.

road mountain bike
Road mountain bikes combine speed and versatility for mixed-surface riding. Equip them with carbon cranksets and drivetrain systems that deliver efficiency on pavement and control on trails. Transition between trail and tarmac with gear engineered for bot

Beyond fiber grade, resin systems, pre-preg quality, and curing techniques also affect the final product. A well-engineered T700 frame can outperform a poorly executed T1000 one. So when shopping for a carbon bike, dig deeper than just the label—material science matters.