| In this article I am going to talk about what materials | | | | Aluminum frames are not as dense or strong as steel. |
| are used in bicycle frame production. The drawbacks | | | | Thus aluminum frames are much lighter and easier to |
| and strengths of each material will also be covered. I | | | | deform when compared to steel. Aluminum is, |
| am also going to discuss what factors are considered | | | | however, much stiffer. Which means the ride is can be |
| when making a frame. | | | | more jarring. Unlike steel, aluminum does have a fatigue |
| Let us start of with what factors are considered in | | | | and endurance limit. The time before failure is long yet |
| frame construction. There are five main areas | | | | it can happen. |
| considered in frame construction. These areas are: | | | | Titanium frames are considered the most exotic and |
| | | | to some the pinnacle of bicycle frames. Titanium is |
| 1. Material Density | | | | very light yet it is extremely strong. Depending on the |
| 2. Stiffness of material | | | | tube size of the frame will determine the stiffness of |
| 3. Yield strength | | | | the frame. Like steel, titanium limits are virtually none |
| 4. Elongation | | | | existent. Thus a very long riding life can be expected. |
| 5. Fatigue and Endurance limits | | | | Carbon fiber frames are a more recent addition to |
| The first two areas deal with the how heavy the bike | | | | bicycle construction. These frames are very light and |
| will be and the comfort of the ride. Numbers three and | | | | can be quite stiff. These frames are not as impact |
| four deal with how well the frame will respond during a | | | | resistant as other frame materials. The beauty of |
| crash. The last one determines how much normal | | | | carbon fiber is it can be fine tuned for strength during |
| wear and tear of riding the frame material can handle | | | | manufacturing. |
| before failure or breakage. | | | | Now that you know the good and bad of different |
| Steel frames have been, and to some extent still are, | | | | frame materials you can be a more informed buyer. |
| widely used in bicycles. Steel, also known as chromoly, | | | | Keep in mind the first two types of frames are the |
| is a dense (heavy) material. It is also not as stiff as | | | | cheapest and the last two are the most expensive. |
| other materials. Since steel is not as stiff it provides a | | | | You should also test ride different brands since not all |
| smoother ride. It takes some strong forces to deform | | | | ride the same and find the best one for you. |
| steel. This also depends on the thickness of the steel | | | | With this in mind enjoy that new bike and enjoy the |
| too. Steel has virtually limitless fatigue and endurance | | | | ride! |
| limits. | | | | |