The quality and geometry of the frame directly affects the usability of the bike, its quality and driving characteristics.

The most common are aluminum and steel frames, which visually differ from each other not only by markings, but also by welds. A steel frame is characterized by thin and neat seams, aluminum structures are usually made with thick seams. More rarely, expensive carbon frames are found.

What materials are used in the manufacture of bicycle frames?

The first place can be given to aluminum - it is used by many bicycle manufacturers. Such frames are lightweight (up to two kilograms), thanks to which cyclists can quickly pick up speed, conquer difficult climbs and easily navigate difficult turns. Among the advantages, one can note the high resistance of aluminum to corrosion, the ability to produce structures with complex geometry. However, the material is very rigid, due to which some deformation of the structure may occur over time.

Noteworthy is steel. Mild steel is used on low-cost bicycles where the frame is heavy with low strength and is prone to corrosion. Improved performance has Hi-Ten steel, which is characterized by increased strength and flexibility. It is often used for children's bikes and models for beginner cyclists who are looking for inexpensive but reliable models. The best option would be chromium-molybdenum steel. It is used to produce relatively light and reliable frames that are resistant to corrosion. Due to their high ductility, they have a small pipe diameter and hold the structure well.

Titanium frames are less common due to the rather high price. In terms of their qualities, they are significantly superior to products made of aluminum and steel, which is why they are preferred by professional cyclists. Titanium frames are highly durable, dampen vibrations that occur during movement, and are not subject to corrosion. The weight of the frame ranges from 1.3 to 1.7 kilograms.

Carbon frames have the least weight - only up to 1.2. At the same time, they are characterized by high rigidity and strength, help to quickly pick up speed. Because of this, they are often used by road racing cyclists. Among the disadvantages of such products can be noted the high price and the impossibility of repair. If damage occurs, such a frame will have to be completely changed.

For professionals, there are special magnesium frames that absorb vibrations well and are lightweight. They behave perfectly on the track, do not create additional burden when driving on rough terrain. Significant disadvantages of such products include their susceptibility to corrosion and high price, which is explained by the complexity of production.

We choose a frame. What is the best for cycling?

When choosing frames, you can follow some recommendations. For road bikes, you can purchase a chrome-molybdenum or steel frame. Mountain models perform better with aluminum frames from leading manufacturers. For professionals, magnesium and carbon products will be suitable, which will be a completely impractical choice for everyday use.

Aluminum frame bikes are among the most common on the market today. This is due to the lightness of the material, combined with low cost. If steel has a specific gravity of 7.8 grams per cubic centimeter, then aluminum has a specific gravity of about 2.7 grams. In terms of wall thickening, this material also outperforms iron, since the minimum parameter is 0.8 mm, while the product will weigh less than a 0.4 mm thick steel frame. Reliability is further enhanced by the absence of welded seams. In addition, they can be performed in various configurations. Consider their features, advantages and disadvantages.

Description

Aluminum-framed bikes are lighter in weight and gain speed faster and are easier to climb. For the same reason, the bike stops faster after the rider stops pedaling. Aluminum in its pure form is not used, this material means its alloy with zinc, manganese, nickel, copper or magnesium.

These bikes are more difficult to get into tight turns, because they are stiffer than their steel counterparts, they can not bend as well. Due to the rigidity of the frame, the energy from the efforts of the cyclist is transferred to the wheels with less loss. Such subtleties play a role for professionals, for amateurs this is not a critical indicator. A stiffer and less comfortable ride becomes noticeable. Bicycles with an aluminum frame practically do not dampen the vibrations transmitted to the saddle and handlebars on uneven surfaces and bumps. A bike like this requires a good suspension unit and a comfortable saddle. This will allow part of the blows to be leveled, which will favorably affect the movement.

pros

Let's start with the advantages of the product in question. These include:

• Light weight for improved speed and acceleration.
• Maximum resistance to corrosive processes.
• High driving performance even when driving uphill.

Minuses

Bicycles with an aluminum frame have a number of disadvantages, namely:

• High rigidity, which is especially felt on models without a suspension fork.
• Rapid roll loss. Due to its light weight, the bike stops faster than its steel frame counterpart after the rider stops pedaling.
• A small working resource during active operation. After a few years, cracks may appear. Manufacturers give a guarantee of 5 to 10 years, but after this period it is recommended to lubricate the part to check for possible deformations.
• When dropped on an aluminum frame, there is a higher chance of dents.
• Poor maintainability. It is very problematic to weld such a part, it is better to purchase a new one.
• Pretty high price.

Folding bikes with aluminum frame

Below we list several popular brands of this type and name their brief characteristics:

1. The expensive city bike Strida SX has an original exterior. It folds down to the size of a compact cart that can be transported on its own. The steering wheel can also be transformed. The advantages of the bike include the fact that the cables and wires are hidden in the cavity of the frame, it is easy to assemble, there is a trunk, disc brakes. With good maneuverability, the device weighs only 11.6 kg. Among the minuses are a small carrying capacity, narrow wheels, poor depreciation.
2. Smart 20. Stylish city bike, considered one of the best in its price category. Can be used by women without any problems. Among the advantages are a solid frame, a convenient transformation mechanism, the presence of reflectors and other accessories. The disadvantages include the lack of a handbrake and the quality of centering of the wings.
3. Stealth bike. The aluminum frame of the Pilot-710 model does not interfere with the softness of the ride. The transport picks up speed well on coast, has a discreet design, fits into the luggage compartment of any car in the folded position, is equipped as standard with a luggage rack and chain protection. The disadvantages are the presence of a wide steering wheel and an uncomfortable fit for tall people. The intended purpose of the modification is city trips.

Children's bicycles with an aluminum frame

Below is short description some children's and teenage models:

• Mars. This one is for kids ages 3 and up. Comes with extra polyurethane wheels. The frame and fork are made of aluminum alloy, there is a handlebar height adjuster. Wheel diameter - 12 inches, model weight - 4.5 kg.
• Forward Timba‏. One of the best for kids 6-9 years old. It has a beautiful design, affordable price, chain protection and removable safety wheels. The disadvantages include a decent weight (almost 14 kg), as well as the need to adjust some moving parts.
• Shulz Max. These children's aluminum frame bikes are in the middle price range. The weight of the bike is 14.3 kg. It is aimed at teenagers 12-16 years old, has a load capacity of up to 110 kg. The advantages of the model are the ease of assembly / disassembly, good set speed, equipment with 20-inch wheels and quality. Among the minuses are incorrect factory adjustment, brake pads of dubious quality.

Peculiarities

When choosing a bike, the question often arises of whether to choose an aluminum or steel bike frame. The final decision depends on the financial capabilities of the buyer, the purpose of the machine and the subjective requirements of the user. It should be noted that thick-walled pipes of large diameter are used in the manufacture of aluminum structures.

This is due to the fact that, according to the laws of physics, if the pipe size is doubled, its rigidity will increase by eight times, and if the wall thickness is doubled, the stiffness index increases by the same amount. Therefore, of the available options, increasing the diameter is preferable.

As a rule, the minimum wall thickness of a pipe on an aluminum frame is 0.8 mm. Often manufacturers make pipes by butting or using different sections, which also makes it possible to strengthen the product.

Used alloys

There are many aluminum alloys that are used to make bicycle frames. The most common are the brands 7005T6 and 6061T6. The T index indicates that the material has undergone heat treatment. For example, a 6061 alloy product is heated to 530 degrees Celsius, then actively cooled by a liquid. Further, for 8 hours, the material is artificially aged at a temperature of 180 degrees. The output is 6061-T6. Analog number 7007 is air-cooled, not water-cooled.

Below are the comparative characteristics of the materials before and after heat treatment (in parentheses):

• Alloy 2014 (2014T6) - tensile strength is 27 (70) thousand PSL, yield strength - 14 (60), elongation percentage - 18 (13), Brinell hardness - 45 (135).
• Similar indicators of material 6061 (6061T6) - 18 (45), 8 (40), 25 (17), 30 (95).

The first alloy uses 4.5% copper, 0.8% carbon and manganese, 0.5% magnesium. The second material includes 1% magnesium, 0.6% silicon, 0.3% copper, 0.2% chromium, about 0.7% iron.

Finally

The strongest bike is 16 ”, the aluminum frame of which is made of 70005 or 7005 alloy. Nevertheless, the 6061 analog is more technologically advanced, which makes it possible to make pipes with a complex section from it, and this increases the strength of the product. In addition, such aluminum lends itself better to welding. When choosing a frame, consider the financial possibilities and the intended use of the bike. With proper maintenance, a bike with a frame made of any material, including steel, aluminum or carbon, will last quite a long time.

Edited: 10/10/2019

We are starting a series of articles in which we will talk about the materials used to make bicycle frames.

The basis of any bicycle is the frame. Almost the entire bike depends on its quality, reliability and durability.

It must be understood that the characteristics of the frame depend not only on the material from which it is made, but also to a large extent on the technology of its processing, the quality of welding (connecting the frame pipes to each other), and its. All this affects the performance and ride characteristics of the entire bike.

The following materials are commonly used in the manufacture of modern bicycle frames: :

• Steel (plain, carbon, chromoly).
• (Titanium)
• , experimental and original materials (magnesium (Magnesiumc), aluminium-scandium, beryllium alloys, bamboo, etc.)

Each type of material has its pros and cons. Let's try to deal with them.

The first article will be devoted to the most common material used in the manufacture of bicycle frames - steel.

Various steel grades have been used for this for over 100 years and, in my opinion, this is not the limit. Today, despite the widespread use of other materials, steel bikes are not getting smaller. And the prospects for the use of all-bicycles with such frames not only do not worsen, but, on the contrary, become more and more optimistic. Modern steelmaking technologies make it possible to produce mariso with ever more improved characteristics.

The steel used to make frames is usually of three types:

• Ordinary steel (steel)
• High drawn or carbon steel (High Ten)
• Chromomolybdenum alloys (Cro-Moly, chromoly)

Ordinary steel (steel)

This is the lowest type of steel used in the manufacture of frames for the cheapest bicycles. They rust quickly, are very fragile and heavy. We will not dwell on them. If you hear the saying that "this bike is made of water pipes" - this is just about them. The Chinese paint such bikes in bright colors, but this does not improve their other characteristics at all.

Bicycle frames made of carbon (high-drawn) steel (High Ten)

Frames made of these steels have very good strength characteristics and are resistant to rust. Thanks to the flexibility of steel, such frames behave well on the road, damping its bumps. Taking into account the fact that the roads in our country have not been the smoothest in the world for many years and no improvements are expected in the near future, these frames will be in demand for a long time to come.

On bicycles made from them, you can safely jump from curbs and higher obstacles. They normally withstand and in general, the load on the bike of about 150 kg is maintained by them quite calmly.

Bicycle frames made of chromoly steel (Cro-Moly, cromoly)

Chrome molybdenum steel (chromoly) is obtained by adding molybdenum during its cooking. Molybdenum gives steel a fine-grained structure, increases its strength characteristics and increases hardenability. Most often, for the production of seamless pipes, from which bicycle frames are made, alloyed structural chromium-molybdenum steel 30XMA according to GOST 4543 or steel 4130 according to the American classification is used.

These steel grades are lighter, stronger and more reliable than the carbon steels described above. However, their price is much higher than carbon ones. A high quality chromoly frame will start at $400 (and that's just the frame!). So there is no need to talk about the availability of bicycles with such frames for ordinary citizens in our country.

These steel grades are much less susceptible to corrosion than the previous ones.

The problem with these frames is that finding good chromoly steel is not easy. Often these are cheaper steel grades. According to information on the Internet, real professional chrome-molybdenum steel frames are made only by Marin (well, maybe one or two more elite brands).

Properties of steel bicycle frames

Often in physical and online stores, sellers say that steel bicycles are “already the last century,” that no one rides them now. This is far from true. The modern development of technology and metallurgy makes it possible to produce steels with much better properties than in the last century. They are stronger, so that even thinner-walled tubes can easily withstand the static and dynamic loads that come with riding, with less weight.

Advantages of steel frames:

Disadvantages of a steel frame

• More weight compared to frames made from other materials we are considering.
• Corrosive - can rust. However, under normal use, if the bike is properly painted and not scratched, does not hibernate on the street and in the rain, is regularly washed and lubricated, it will last for decades.

I would like to dwell a little on the issue of weight, which is almost always brought up by opponents of steel frames.

Often this is the argument that modern marketers and sellers are pushing, calling for lighter aluminum, carbon or titanium bikes, however, forgetting to mention their price and some other shortcomings. But weight is important, although not the most main characteristic frames, especially for a regular bike, not a race bike.

Its most important characteristics are strength, rigidity and reliability. The average cyclist does not participate in speed races, he uses the bike either for the pleasure of cycling or for work.

Small note: We use two terms stiffness and strength. Sometimes the question arises - what is the difference between rigidity and strength? We explain:

Rigidity is the ability of a material not to change shape under load. The lower the stiffness, the greater the flexibility, springiness and cushioning properties of the material.

Strength- this is the ability of the material not to collapse under the influence of a load on it.

In addition, often to reduce weight, steel frames are made from butted pipes (butted pipes are pipes with a variable wall thickness) or pipes with a variable or special profile that allow you to reduce the weight of the bike without compromising its strength and reliability.

Butting can be double or triple. Those. the wall thickness of the pipe can be changed two or three times. At the same time, in places of greatest loads, for example, in places of welding, the wall is thicker than in places with less loads.

About pipes with a non-round profile. As you can see in the above photo, the Formula Breeze 2016 women's urban bike, sold in, has a triangular upper frame, and an oval lower frame, elongated in a vertical plane. Such a profile makes the whole structure more durable than if it were made of ordinary round pipes. Yes, to be honest, and the view is getting prettier.

Another very good quality of this material is that it is quite cheap and bicycles made on the basis of such frames, an ordinary consumer in our country can afford to buy. Not everyone can buy a bicycle for the price of a used car. Especially in our country.

A lot of children's and teenage bicycle models are made on the basis of steel frames. Precisely because they are reliable and cheap, they are not afraid of falls and careless attitude. Well, as for teenage models, then remember how many of you in your childhood sedately drove around on your bikes during a walk. No. Basically it was races, jumps, falls and collisions. That is why a teenage bike must be strong and reliable.

And how many steel bicycles in families pass from the eldest child to the youngest, and then also to the children of friends. Such bikes are completely free to serve for more than 10 years, or even more.

Remember the old Soviet bicycles? After all, they can still be found on our roads and often this is what speaks of the quality of the material from which they are made. And at that time they were made only of steel. And the fact that it weighs more than aluminum does not matter to most of our cyclists - they ride it for themselves, and do not set records on the cycle track.

As a conclusion, I would like to say the following: marketing rules the world, and we need to use common sense.

If you need a bike not for racing on the track, but for ordinary life needs: reliable, durable and, most importantly, not very expensive, then a model with a steel frame is a good choice.

Just remember that a bicycle consists not only of a frame, but also of other parts, and the comfort and safety of your trips also depend on their quality.

In the next article, we will look at how they affect the behavior of the bike.

Perhaps the most radical bike upgrade is a frame replacement. It is the frame that sets the character of the bike, most of all affects its driving performance, appearance and, as a result, the pleasure you get from riding. A lot of copies have been broken on Internet forums about the choice of one or another frame material, and this topic can be safely classified as a holivar, but still I will allow myself to speculate and state my opinion.

aluminum frames

For many years, aluminum frames have been very popular among cyclists around the world. Although the frames are called "aluminum", they are not made of pure aluminum, but of an alloy, due to the fact that aluminum itself is quite soft. Thus, approximately 95% of the alloy consists of aluminum, but also includes: magnesium, zinc, manganese, titanium, chromium, iron, etc. As a result, such popular alloys as 7005 and 6061 are obtained, most often used in the manufacture of bicycle frames. In order to increase strength, pipes of large diameter and with a greater wall thickness are used. Many aluminum frames, in order to facilitate, have the so-called. butting, which is a variable wall thickness of pipes in different places, depending on the load. As a result, the frame is quite light, rigid and durable.

The mid-range 19” aluminum frame weights around 2-2.5kg, which makes it possible to build a fairly light bike on a very modest budget. As for rigidity, this is both good and bad. For races where sprint is important, dynamic standing on the pedals and precise control, stiffness will be a plus. But when it comes to long distance rides, riding on an aluminum frame can cause some discomfort in your lower back, back, and arms, especially if you have any kind of spinal problems. The reason for this is the rigidity mentioned above, as well as the properties of the material - low internal friction, as a result of which the vibration from the wheels is very well transmitted to the cyclist through the frame.

One of the main disadvantages of aluminum frames is their tendency to accumulate fatigue and, as a result, unexpected failures at the most inopportune moment. That is why you should be especially wary of used aluminum alloy frames over 10 years old, with decent mileage or subjected to heavy loads (for example, in extreme disciplines). This is also true for rigid aluminum forks. Not only is riding on such a fork extremely uncomfortable, it can also break down suddenly.

One way or another, aluminum frames continue to be very popular and many serial bicycle models in the lower and middle price segments are assembled on their basis. Perhaps the price here is a fundamental factor. After all, you can purchase a sufficiently high-quality frame made of aluminum alloy even for 5000-8000 rubles.

In professional cycling, aluminum frames have not been used for a long time and they have been completely replaced by carbon, which, by its properties, is much better suited for disciplines where time is counted in seconds and weight in grams.

Carbon frames

IN professional sports carbon has firmly established itself for a long time, it is unlikely that anything will be able to displace it in the coming years. Technology continues to hone, releasing new frame models with greater rigidity, strength, better aerodynamics and lighter weight. At the same time, carbon frames and components have ceased to be the exclusive privilege of professionals and, more and more, penetrate the ranks of amateur cyclists. Along with this, a lot of articles and topics appeared on the forums with very mixed opinions about carbon frames. Articles where the author talks about how cool, reliable and durable carbon fiber can be bewildering, but then contradicts himself and says that it is still a little fragile. So, is it reliable or fragile? Let's figure it out.

In fact, it is, carbon is both strong and fragile at the same time, no matter how strange it may sound. In tension, carbon is much stronger than aluminum alloy, but when it comes to breaking or strong point impacts, everything is not so good here. You can subject a carbon frame to high loads when riding over rough terrain, jumping, even transporting heavy camping equipment on a hike and not worry that the carbon will not withstand and suddenly collapse. But sometimes it can happen that the bike falls unsuccessfully on a sharp stone, the corner of a wall, or gets hit while being transported in an electric train, train or plane. There are quite a few such cases. What is the likelihood that this will happen in your specific use case is another question. True, you should not think that carbon is really so fragile and is able to collapse from any small blow. In most cases, everything should be fine with a surface chipped lacquer, a layer of which also provides additional protection to the carbon. Under normal use, a carbon frame can last a very long time, as carbon has little to no fatigue.

Recently, budget (relatively) Chinese carbon frames have gained great popularity. First of all, this is due to the price - about 13,000-15,000 rubles, which is more than two times lower than the cost of models of well-known brands. Should I buy such a frame? If you really want to try carbon, but there is no way to purchase a frame from a well-known manufacturer, then this is the only option. But keep in mind that carbon fiber is different. A budget carbon frame of unknown origin may not be as light and reliable, not have a well-thought-out geometry, in general, significantly lose to branded samples. But, one way or another, it will allow you to get an idea of ​​​​what a carbon frame is and how it behaves.

Do I need carbon?

In order to make it easier for you to decide, I propose to answer a number of questions for yourself:

• Are you ready to spend 30,000+ rubles on just one frame?
• Are you willing to spend about 60,000 more on the rest of the components that will match the level of the frame?
• Will you participate in races and fight for prizes?
• Are you sure you won't feel sorry for racing on a bike like this? 🙂
• You do not plan to go hiking and will not transport the bike in trains or trains side by side with other bicycles?
• Do you have another easier bike for every day?
• Is the “wow effect” produced on others important to you?

If the answers to these questions are positive, then we can assume that yes, most likely you really need a bike on a carbon frame. If, first of all, reliability and durability are important to you, you are not going to win prizes in competitions, and your wallet does not pull your pocket, then you should not chase trends. In this case, look for more affordable and time-tested materials, such as steel.

steel frames

Want to touch a real classic? Buy a quality steel frame. For many decades, most bicycles were assembled on steel frames, ranging from children's Schoolchildren to professional-level Colnago. In the early 90s, in professional cycling, steel frames were very quickly replaced by aluminum and then carbon frames. As for more budget bikes, steel is still in use here, and it’s very different.

The simplest and most budgetary are frames made of low-carbon steel, a little more expensive - alloyed (high tensile, hiten steel). The former are used on the lowest priced bikes and are sometimes referred to as bed or water pipe frames. Indeed, their characteristics can hardly be called outstanding, especially the first ones. Such frames are heavy (4-5 kg) and are quite susceptible to corrosion. Nevertheless, they are inexpensive, strong and maintainable and dampen vibrations well.

The best and most interesting steel frames are made from chromium molybdenum steel (CrMo). The once legendary KhVZ, Colnago, Bianchi, Pinarello and many other well-known manufacturers of road and mountain frames had in their arsenal many models of chromium-molybdenum frames of various levels, from medium amateur to top professional, on which they won many times at iconic world cycling races, such as : Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Paris-Roubaix and many others. Of course, today, in professional cycling, steel (even of such high quality) has not been used for many years, but many manufacturers continue to manufacture chromium-molybdenum frames, both road and mountain, which are very popular with classic connoisseurs and cyclists who value maximum reliability, maintainability and comfort when traveling on roads with a wide variety of surfaces.

Chrome molybdenum frames are very resistant to fatigue accumulation. Even if it happens that the chrome-molybdenum frame breaks, then, as a rule, this does not happen abruptly, but gradually. There were cases when the chrome-molybdenum frames cracked during heavy hikes, but they withstood, did not break, and allowed the route to be completed. Almost 10 years ago, I got a Jamis Exile XC chromoly frame. You can see photos of this bike on the pages of this site. So the frame came to me already badly beaten by life. She lay in an unheated garage for a long time, as a result of which she began to rust. I had to carefully clean the thread of the card assembly, process it with a converter, and then shed the entire frame with Movil. In addition, there is a dent on the top tube of the frame, and there is also a slight curvature of the rear stays, so the rear wheel was a little off to the side. However, this is my main all-round bike that I have been using all year round for 9 years.

The bike on a chrome-molybdenum frame is very comfortable. Due to the properties of the material - high internal friction and good plasticity, the bike on a chromoly frame literally plays under the cyclist, which is very well felt when riding on small bumps, for example, a “washboard” or a rocky grader. Of course, in the case of a racing bike, softness can be attributed to disadvantages rather than advantages. But if comfort is a priority for you when traveling on different roads and in their complete absence, then chromol is a very good option.

There is an opinion that steel frames are very heavy. But this does not apply at all to high-quality chromoly frames. Unless, of course, you compare them with carbon fiber. But with aluminum it is quite possible to compare and the advantage will not always be with the latter. Of course, lightweight chrome-molybdenum frames are quite expensive and can cost 20,000-30,000 rubles. and more. But there are cheaper options, besides, in the case of chrome-molybdenum frames, you should not be very afraid of used ones, as with aluminum ones. I got my Jamis almost for free, you can say that I saved him 🙂

Titanium frames

So we got to my favorite titanium. It is a bicycle on a titanium frame that personifies for me the maximum versatility, reliability and is my choice. Let me remind you that for more than 12 years I have owned a bike based on the Titerra Ti-M19 frame, some time ago I wrote about it in an article and talked about it in a video.

Titanium frames offer the weight of the best aluminum, the strength and comfort of chrome molybdenum frames, but virtually no corrosion and fantastic durability. I note that the point about durability is valid if all technologies were observed in the manufacture. Otherwise, the frame can quickly break down and it will not be so easy to repair it, since the requirements for titanium processing conditions are very high, which directly affects the maintainability of the product, especially in the absence of the necessary conditions. But if the technology has been followed, then the titanium frame will serve you for decades, and it will also be enough for grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In the manufacture of titanium frames, an alloy is used that contains other elements, and not just titanium in its pure form. Such alloys are called Titanium alloys. For example, the most popular alloys used in the manufacture of bicycle frames are 3AL-2.5V (3% Aluminum and 2.5% Vanadium) and 6AL-4V (6% Aluminum and 4% Vanadium). Often these alloys are combined and used in different parts of the same product. Other alloys are also used, for example, the well-known company Rapid uses the aerospace alloy OT-4 and PT-7M in its frames.

As for the purpose of titanium frames, the range of their application is very wide: year-round and daily operation in the city, complex multi-day trips, brevets, rides on any type of road, associated with long pedestrian crossings, where the bike has to be dragged literally on oneself. Unless here I will include races where high frame rigidity is important, which allows for maximum jerk and sharp control. Since titanium is soft, it has some losses when pedaling, especially when power. Also, if a bicycle with a titanium frame is used by people weighing 100 kg or more, excessive softness may be noticeable, up to the feeling that the frame just dangles under you. Of course, this largely depends on the specific frame model.

Visually, a bicycle on a titanium frame looks completely unobtrusive. Titanium is rarely painted, and if you need to achieve a spectacular appearance then it is polished to a shine. Most of the frames are sold unpolished and for the average person they are just a gray piece of iron. This, of course, can be attributed to the pluses. Despite their considerable cost, titanium bikes attract much less attention than painted aluminum or fancy carbon bikes, which sometimes scream “Hey, take me, I’m so cool!”. I even know a case when, during a ride, a group stopped at a village store, leaned their bikes and left. The titanium bicycle was leaned last. When people left the store, they found that the titanium (which was the very first one) was lying on the side, but the trace of the new aluminum bike was cold. Of course, you should not expect that it always works and calmly leave the bike anywhere, but this is undoubtedly a plus.

The biggest downside to titanium frames is their high price tag, which can be equivalent to or even higher than branded carbon products. So, for example, a used titanium frame, which is already 15 years old, can easily be sold for 20,000 rubles, while it cannot be said that this is a very high price tag. Prices for new domestic titanium frames start at 45,000 rubles. Therefore, if you decide to assemble a bicycle on a titanium frame, then before that you need to weigh all the pros and cons and understand what all this is for and whether the game is worth the candle. In many cases, a chromoly frame can be a great alternative to titanium for significantly less money.

When it comes to fashion and trends, titanium stands apart from frames made of other materials. In the circles of advanced cyclists, it looks something like this: aluminum - mass bikes, unremarkable and ordinary; carbon is the lot of messengers and advanced cyclists; chrome-molybdenum - for connoisseurs of classics and old-school bicycles. Titanium is a different matter. Expressions like “classic” or “in trend” do not work for him, he is in a different parallel, out of time, and if you have comprehended the zen of titanium bikes, then you are unlikely to be able to reconsider your views.

Conclusion

Of course, in addition to aluminum, carbon, steel and titanium, there are bicycle frames made of other, much more exotic alloys and materials, such as magnesium or scandium frames. But today it is very difficult to find them on sale, even on order, and as far as I know, interest in them has already greatly diminished, compared to what it was 10-15 years ago.

As for the choice of frame material for your bike, here you need to think about and decide how exactly it will be used. Each material is good in its own way, but also has its own weak sides. If we are talking about assembling a budget bike, then most likely the choice will be limited to aluminum and steel frames. If you are into sports and racing, you should start racing on aluminum at first, but as you grow, move to carbon, which will allow you to improve the result. But do not think that sitting on carbon, you will immediately arrive in the first 5k. Still, first of all, the cyclist rides, and the bike helps him in this. If you gravitate towards cycling tourism, like long trips on any roads (or maybe without them at all), while there is a desire to touch something eternal, reliable and there is an opportunity to spend a lot of money, then a bicycle on a titanium frame will suit you perfectly. Not ready to spend several tens of thousands on one frame, but you want reliability and durability, but don’t like “inflated” aluminum frames visually? In this case, pay attention to chrome-molybdenum models, which will surely satisfy your needs and refined taste.

Undoubtedly, the choice of frame is a very important issue, because it is pleasant to ride on good equipment. But I don’t advise you to get into cycling fetishism, chase grams and waste time arguing on bike forums about what is cooler, what rolls and what does not roll. The main thing is that you like the bike, and you have the desire, time and energy to ride more often, getting benefit and pleasure.

If you have something to add or want to ask a question about a particular frame, then you are welcome in the comments.

Bicycle frame

- the main element of the bike. Currently, bicycle frames are made of materials: steel, chromium molybdenum, titanium, and steel special alloys.

Steel frames (Hi-ten).

Steel is the most common material used in the manufacture of frames for low-budget bicycle models. The advantages include strength, low cost and ease of manufacture. Of the minuses - a lot of weight among other materials used for the manufacture of bicycle frames. Read about steel

Chrome-molybdenum steel frames (Cro-moly, Cr-mol).

Chrome molybdenum steel is the next level material for bicycle frames. This alloy of steel, chromium and molybdenum has all the advantages of steel, but has a lower weight.

Aluminum frames (Alu).

Aluminum is a lightweight and durable material. Aluminum makes it possible to manufacture bicycle frames with large tube diameters and wall thicknesses. This makes them look more aggressive. The most common material in the manufacture of frames for mountain bikes. Aluminum alloy in production is more expensive than metal and chromium molybdenum, and this significantly affects the final price of the frame.

Frames made of titanium (Ti).

Titanium is strong, light and expensive. Although there is no weight gain over expensive aluminum and chrome-molybdenum bicycle frames, it is much more durable. Titanium bicycle frames are not common in the bicycle industry, the high price of the metal and the difficulties in its production and processing are the main problems for titanium bicycles.

Magnesium (Mg) frames.

Magnesium is a new alloy in the production of bicycle frames. Durable, lightweight and just as expensive material.

Composites- This is a relatively new material used for the production of bicycle frames. For the manufacture of composite bicycle frames, threads, fiberglass, Kevlar and various bonding compounds (resins) are used. Combinations of materials, resins and methods of their bonding allow you to achieve any given characteristics. It is possible that composite bicycle frames are the future, including for mountain bikes. Bicycle frames made of composite materials have a significant disadvantage - they do not withstand falls and bumps.

Bicycle frames made of special alloys.

IN last years steel alloys have appeared that have unique characteristics, sometimes surpassing those of titanium. These steels usually contain rare earth elements.

It is impossible to single out any material as the best for the production of bicycle frames, but today the undisputed leader among all materials used for the manufacture of bicycle frames is aluminum.

A sign of quality bicycle frame is "butting".

Butting is a process of manufacturing pipes, the result of which is a product with different wall thicknesses. This process allows you to increase the thickness of the walls in places with high loads (example: joints with the steering column, bottom brackets) and reduce in others where the loads are minimal. Thanks to this, it is possible to significantly reduce the weight of the frame. Buttig is single - one end of the pipe has an increased thickness, double - both, and triple, when the pipe has three different thicknesses. It was butting that allowed the designers of modern aluminum, steel (chrome-molybdenum and special alloys) and titanium bicycle frames to come close to a weight of 1300 grams.

The cheapest are steel frames for bicycles. Chrome molybdenum comes next. They are usually cheaper than aluminum, and those, in turn, are cheaper than titanium and frames. But do not forget that aluminum, titanium and chrome-molybdenum bicycle frames are also divided into higher quality - expensive, and lower quality - cheaper. Therefore, a good chrome-molybdenum bike frame can cost more than an aluminum one, and an aluminum bike frame can cost more than a titanium one. The name of the manufacturer, the quality of the frame and its weight, not the material from which it was made, play a key role in determining the value of the frame.

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Arantix web frame!

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A little about steel in your iron horse.

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Aluminum - how much in this sound ...

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Carbon baby!

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Molybdenum tastes good on your bike.

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Don't pedal, bought an electric bike KTM EBike

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2012 Kona Entourage Deluxe

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Review of winter tires for a bicycle

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