Wrapped Carbon (tubes only) is the most expensive option and offers the highest stiffness-to-weight ratio. Each tube is built by hand from epoxy prepreg wrapped around a polished mandrel. Wrapped tubes are exceptionally stiff and lightweight, making them ideal for applications where performance is critical. However, their relatively thin walls make them more brittle than pultruded carbon or fiberglass. Under excessive stress, they are more likely to break than bend.
Pultruded Carbon tubes and rods are engineered with unidirectional carbon fibers running the length of the tube. They’re lightweight and extremely stiff for their weight, but more durable and a little heaver than thinner-walled wrapped carbon tubes. They’re stiffer than fiberglass or hybrid options, which can improve performance but reduces crash tolerance. Best suited for applications where light weight and rigidity outweighs the need for impact resistance.
Pultruded Fiberglass is the most economical material option. Compared to carbon, fiberglass fibers have lower tensile strength, which allows the rod or tube to flex more under load. That added flexibility makes fiberglass more forgiving and more resilient, as it is less likely to fail catastrophically when overstressed. But fiberglass is 25-40% heavier than carbon so it will deliver less performance when light weight and stiffness is the priority.
Pultruded Hybrid tubes and rods made with a fiberglass core under a carbon sheath combine the properties of both materials. While not as light as pure carbon they offer a compromise between the stiffness of carbon and the durability of fiberglass, making them a versatile choice for many applications.
