Quote:
Originally Posted by s_forbes
Polycarbonate is a neat building material; it has a lower density than aluminum, but is much more flexible. It has some good applications, but I don't think that replacing aluminum channels in a drivetrain is usually one of them.  Being lighter isn't always the best attribute. Sometimes you need a material that is stiffer rather than lighter. |
Sometimes flexible is good though. Aluminum will deform when it takes an impact which can be difficult to fix without replacing the part, whereas polycarbonate will just flex and return to its original position. That little bit of flex can make a big difference when it comes to frame durability and longevity long-term. Granted, you do still have to make sure it's strong enough to not fail catastrophically during typical use.
