Proportionate to its material is the cost of a mountain bike frame as well as the treatment the material received. High tensile steel, chromoly steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber are the 5 types of material used in mountain bikes. Oversized diameters, heat treating, and butting are tubing material treatments that will increase the cost of a frame as well.
More on high tensile steel This durable alloy is found in lower priced mountain bikes. It's less stiff than chromoly steel and offers a high carbon content that's why more materials are needed to make it stiff enough for bicycle frames and this will make it heavier.
Trail bikes, city bikes, and entry level mountain bikes is where this relatively inexpensive material is used. There are some bikes that come with a chromoly seat tube, while the rest is high tensile steel.
Chromoly steel facts Short for steel alloy, chromoly is best described by its major additives - chromium and molybdenum. This framing material is the most refined and can give over 100 years of dependable service.
This material, depending on the type of heat treating and butting, can be found in bikes that costs $400-$1500 and even beyond that. This material is very durable and even offers a compliant ride characteristics.
Aluminum Aluminum has been refined the same way as chromoly for the past 15 years. Various alloys, heat treatment, oversizing, and butting have been developed. Aluminum is the stiffest and most cost effective material which is why it's the preferred material for dual suspension bikes.
Aluminum will crack before chromoly because it's not as stiff. Of course, this depends on how you ride and how much abuse you give the frame. Aluminum has certain advantages such as the frame being very light and stiff because of butting and oversizing.
Titanium facts It may be exotic, but over the last few years the prices for this material have come down. Frames made of titanium remain expensive because it takes longer to weld the tubes to the frame.
Titanium is an alloy that can have better welding ability and ride characteristics when mixed with small amounts of vanadium and aluminum. It offers better fatigue and corrosion properties and is more compliant than chromoly.
The material you choose for your bike, all depends on where you ride and what style you use. Almost all materials will last you for years, as long as you take care of your bike and treat the frame with some respect.
More on high tensile steel This durable alloy is found in lower priced mountain bikes. It's less stiff than chromoly steel and offers a high carbon content that's why more materials are needed to make it stiff enough for bicycle frames and this will make it heavier.
Trail bikes, city bikes, and entry level mountain bikes is where this relatively inexpensive material is used. There are some bikes that come with a chromoly seat tube, while the rest is high tensile steel.
Chromoly steel facts Short for steel alloy, chromoly is best described by its major additives - chromium and molybdenum. This framing material is the most refined and can give over 100 years of dependable service.
This material, depending on the type of heat treating and butting, can be found in bikes that costs $400-$1500 and even beyond that. This material is very durable and even offers a compliant ride characteristics.
Aluminum Aluminum has been refined the same way as chromoly for the past 15 years. Various alloys, heat treatment, oversizing, and butting have been developed. Aluminum is the stiffest and most cost effective material which is why it's the preferred material for dual suspension bikes.
Aluminum will crack before chromoly because it's not as stiff. Of course, this depends on how you ride and how much abuse you give the frame. Aluminum has certain advantages such as the frame being very light and stiff because of butting and oversizing.
Titanium facts It may be exotic, but over the last few years the prices for this material have come down. Frames made of titanium remain expensive because it takes longer to weld the tubes to the frame.
Titanium is an alloy that can have better welding ability and ride characteristics when mixed with small amounts of vanadium and aluminum. It offers better fatigue and corrosion properties and is more compliant than chromoly.
The material you choose for your bike, all depends on where you ride and what style you use. Almost all materials will last you for years, as long as you take care of your bike and treat the frame with some respect.
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1 comments:
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