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The Outsider: The four elements of bicycle frames |
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Written by Greyson Howard/Tahoe World
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Monday, 28 May 2007 |
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Every bicycle starts with a frame, and every frame is made of, or a mix of , four basic materials.
Those materials — steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber — can define the bike’s ride characteristics, durability, and weight. And while how the bike fits should always come first in deciding on a new ride, what it's made of should be the next consideration on your list.
These metals (and plastic) have snuck their way into both mountain and road frames, but with mountain bike suspension, it’s in the road bikes that the difference will be felt.
 Steel
The retro-geeks on their classic Italian steel bicycles might be on to something.
With a mix of compliance and liveliness that lets the rider know what’s going on under his or her tires without beating their bones, steel comes close to the mythical magic carpet ride so many dream of in titanium without the aerospace price tag.
If you take care of the frame (keeping it dry, high-tech steel still rusts), steel can last a lifetime as well.
The downside: Even with new-fangled alloys, steel is still the heavyweight in the bicycle world.
 Aluminum
The bang for the buck material for those who want racy rides at reasonable prices.
Originally known for bone-jarring, tooth loosening ride qualities, new tube shapes and alloys are taking the bite out of this super stiff material.
Frame weights keep dropping too as tube diameters get wider and tube walls get thinner, but the flip side with the lightest of the ultra-light aluminum racers is they may not last forever.
Many aluminum frames are also taking advantage of the shock absorption of carbon fiber in strategic locations to add a little smoothness for the rider.
 Titanium
Can metal have sex appeal?
Well there are sure a whole lot of bike geeks out there lusting after this one.
A mix of light-weight, smooth ride, and unbeatable durability make ti bikes the last bike you’ll ever need — until one three grams lighter comes out.
Once you’re in this price range, a range of custom manufacturers will happily weld a one-off masterpiece designed to fit like a glove.
But it’s that price that is also the major downside to the magical metal, bike manufacturers seem to be competing with the Russian Space Agency to get it.
 Carbon Fiber
This is where all the potential is in the bike industry.
Basically a carbon cloth impregnated with a plastic resin, this space age black material seems to have limitless applications to save weight, custom tune ride quality, and of course — plastic doesn’t rust.
Early frames were dead, or wooden feeling on the road, but with an extra layer of graphite here, shave off a little there, manufacturers are finding ways to bring the old bicycle into the 21st century.
Just like titanium though, the price for entry is steep, but those who can make it in the door will have a ride unlike anything else.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 28 May 2007 )
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