Bicycles have been around for ages. They are now available in a variety of materials. You can now purchase a bicycle in carbon, bamboo, titanium and more.
These frames offer varied benefits depening on the type of material being used.
The way the bike handles,fits, rides and reacts is all dependent upon the frame. Large frame manufacturers spend tons of money on technology and research just to get you that bicycle frame.
In this write-up, we will be discussing two very popular frame materials and their many benefits- Aluminium and carbon.
Aluminium Frames:
Aluminium bicycle frames are also known as alloy. As aluminium is soft in nature, it is mixed with other elements to form an alloy. Widely used alloy in building cycles are 6061 and 7005 grade. These two forms are far more stronger and superior. Besides, alloy frame are seen on low end bicycles that are cheaper as compared to carbon cycles.
Aluminium frame are found on most road bikes, hybrids, mtbs and even folding cycles for that matter. Riders and manufacturers prefer using Aluminium as it is lightweight with a high level of stiffness, robust and around a fifth of the price of carbon fibre.
On the other hand, aluminium frames are relatively stiff and fail to offer shock absorption. However, this can be compensated with the help of wider tyres upto an extend. Thus, offering a much better ride quality.
Pros:- aluminium bike frame
- Stiffness-to-weight ratio
- Pretty affordable
- Far More durable than carbon
Cons:-aluminium bike frame
- Stiffness could lead to a harsh ride quality
- Aluminium frames fatigues over time
- If cracked or damaged, aluminium is difficult to repair
Carbon Fiber:
If you are looking for high performance bicycles, carbon fibre is the material to consider. The material can be easily shaped and fine tuned as per your requirement. Besides, it offers a comfort and aerodynamic performance benefits as well.
Carbon bicycle frames are made by layering carbon sheets embedded in a matrix of epoxy resin. The resin is what holds the fibres together and give strength. As a result, they are pretty light and expensive. Besides, these bicycles frames are more susceptible to crash damage than other materials.
As compared to steel or alloy, carbon fibre bicycles are pretty prone to wear and crash damage.
Pros:- carbon fibre bike frame
- Excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio
- Highly adaptable
- Can be moulded into aerodynamic tube shapes
Cons: carbon fibre bike frame
- Pretty Expensive
- Prone to wear and crash damage
So what material bicycle do you plan on buying? Or are you already riding a sleek carbon fibre machine? Whatever it is, do comment and let us know below.
