What Are The Framing Materials For Mountain Bikes?

By Danielle Russell


The cost of a mountain bike frame is proportionate to its material, as well as the treatment that material has received. When it comes to mountain bikes, there are 5 types of materials used namely high tensile steel, chromoly steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. Tubing material treatments that will increase the frame's cost are oversized diameters, heat treating, and butting.

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.

Relatively inexpensive to produce, you'll find this material in trail bikes, city bikes, and even entry level mountain bikes. Some bikes come in high tensile steel seat tube but others are chromoly seat tube.

More on chromoly steel Chromoly, which is short for steel alloy, is best described by its major additives which are molybdenum and chromium. This is probably the most refined framing material, giving over 100 years of dependable service.

This material can be found in bikes as low as $400 up to $1500 and beyond, depending on the type of heat treating and butting. The chromoly steel material offers very good durability and a compliant ride characteristic.

Aluminum facts Refined the same way as chromoly is aluminum and this has been done for the past 15 years. There have been various alloys developed, as well as heat treatment, oversizing, and butting. With dual suspension bikes, aluminum is the preferred material as it's the stiffest and most cost effective.

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 Even thought it's somewhat exotic, the prices for this material have come down over the last few years. Remaining expensive are the frames made of titanium because welding the tubes to the frame takes longer.

Titanium is considered an alloy, normally mixed with small amounts of vanadium and aluminum to give it better weldability and ride characteristics. Unlike chromoly, it's more compliant and offers better corrosion and fatigue properties.

Where you ride and the style you use is where the material you choose for your bike would depend on. Nearly all materials can last for years as long as you treat the frame with respect and take care of your bike.




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