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Mountain Bike Frame And Components: Aluminum Alloy, Titainum, Carbon Fiber And Steel
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Published: February 22, 2007
Mountain bike frames are the most important mountain bike components. Mountain bike frames serve as a bike's foundation and are the basis for all of the other mountain bike components. Comfortable and safe biking experiences are dependent upon a quality mountain bike frame.
There are many different kinds of mountain bike frames. Aluminum Alloys, titanium, carbon fiber, and steel are the main materials used to make mountain bike frames and mountain bike components. Knowing the pros and cons of each material will enable a rider to select the appropriate frame for his or her body type and skill level.
Aluminum alloys are mountain bike components that are very unique. Although aluminum alloys are lower in strength and density in comparison to steel or titanium, they are still used for mountain bike components. Due to their quick fatigue, a lot of aluminum alloys are welded together with other materials to make it last longer. As a result, there are few mountain bike frames made solely from aluminum alloys.
Titanium is another material that is often used for mountain bike frames, and it is the most expensive. Titanium mountain bike components often cost 15 times more than those made of steel. Titanium is a popular material to use in mountain bike components because it has a great strength-to-weight ratio, which allows it to hold larger amounts of weight with less strength. Plus, it does not rust over time and when collision occurs it tends to go back to its original shape over time.
Carbon fiber is also used for mountain bike frames. It is unique in appearance because it must be braided to make mountain bike components. Carbon fiber tends to be more expensive because of the amount of labor it takes to bend and twist the material into certain forms. Other characteristics of carbon fiber include light weight, strength, and resistance to corrosion over time.
Steel is one of the most popular materials used for mountain bike frames. It's inexpensive and easily molds into different shapes. Steel is also one of the densest materials to use for mountain bike frames. Most people correspond density with strength. As a result, everyone wants mountain bike frames that are sturdy, but that's not always the case, as sometimes a lighter weight frame is needed. It just depends on where the person will be riding, what their body build is, and the mileage. As for steel, its pretty heavy (being almost 3 times as dense as aluminum). Although the density is an issue for some people, steel mountain bike frames make up for it with stiffness and durability- lasting longer than most other mountain bike components.
It's important to consider the variety of mountain bike components before settling on a mountain bike frame. Whatever the case, knowing which mountain bike components are best for each problem that may arise is what makes a good rider, and an even better purchase.
Sources:
Science of Cycling. Exploratorium. 2007. 20 Feb. 2007 <http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/frames1.h tml>.
Nicol, Scott. “Metallurgy for Cyclists I: The Basics.” 63xc.com. 20 Feb. 2007 <http://www.63xc.com/scotn/metal.htm>
Nicol, Scott. “Metallurgy for Cyclists II: Steel is Real.” 63xc.com. 20 Feb. 2007 <http://www.63xc.com/scotn/steel.htm>.
“Bicycle Frame.” Wikipedia. 15 Feb. 2007. 20 Feb. 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_frame> .
There are many different kinds of mountain bike frames. Aluminum Alloys, titanium, carbon fiber, and steel are the main materials used to make mountain bike frames and mountain bike components. Knowing the pros and cons of each material will enable a rider to select the appropriate frame for his or her body type and skill level.
Aluminum alloys are mountain bike components that are very unique. Although aluminum alloys are lower in strength and density in comparison to steel or titanium, they are still used for mountain bike components. Due to their quick fatigue, a lot of aluminum alloys are welded together with other materials to make it last longer. As a result, there are few mountain bike frames made solely from aluminum alloys.
Titanium is another material that is often used for mountain bike frames, and it is the most expensive. Titanium mountain bike components often cost 15 times more than those made of steel. Titanium is a popular material to use in mountain bike components because it has a great strength-to-weight ratio, which allows it to hold larger amounts of weight with less strength. Plus, it does not rust over time and when collision occurs it tends to go back to its original shape over time.
Carbon fiber is also used for mountain bike frames. It is unique in appearance because it must be braided to make mountain bike components. Carbon fiber tends to be more expensive because of the amount of labor it takes to bend and twist the material into certain forms. Other characteristics of carbon fiber include light weight, strength, and resistance to corrosion over time.
Steel is one of the most popular materials used for mountain bike frames. It's inexpensive and easily molds into different shapes. Steel is also one of the densest materials to use for mountain bike frames. Most people correspond density with strength. As a result, everyone wants mountain bike frames that are sturdy, but that's not always the case, as sometimes a lighter weight frame is needed. It just depends on where the person will be riding, what their body build is, and the mileage. As for steel, its pretty heavy (being almost 3 times as dense as aluminum). Although the density is an issue for some people, steel mountain bike frames make up for it with stiffness and durability- lasting longer than most other mountain bike components.
It's important to consider the variety of mountain bike components before settling on a mountain bike frame. Whatever the case, knowing which mountain bike components are best for each problem that may arise is what makes a good rider, and an even better purchase.
Sources:
Science of Cycling. Exploratorium. 2007. 20 Feb. 2007 <http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/frames1.h tml>.
Nicol, Scott. “Metallurgy for Cyclists I: The Basics.” 63xc.com. 20 Feb. 2007 <http://www.63xc.com/scotn/metal.htm>
Nicol, Scott. “Metallurgy for Cyclists II: Steel is Real.” 63xc.com. 20 Feb. 2007 <http://www.63xc.com/scotn/steel.htm>.
“Bicycle Frame.” Wikipedia. 15 Feb. 2007. 20 Feb. 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_frame> .
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