| There are four main types of material that mountain | | | | with other metals and then heat treated for strength. |
| bike frames obstructed from, aluminium, titanium, | | | | These elements can include copper, manganese, |
| steel, and carbon fibre. I'm going to give a brief | | | | silicon, magnesium, and zinc. |
| overview of each of these types of material. | | | | Steel - this is the standard material for bicycle |
| Titanium - this material is lighter than steel, lasts | | | | frames, and this could yield and tensile strength which |
| longer than there were many, is resistant and as | | | | provides rigidity and durable. In competition with the |
| such is highly suitable for bicycles. One of the great | | | | new materials, steel has not lost its reputation for |
| benefits of titanium is its precision, and as it is | | | | performance, and are still the first choice for many |
| resistant to corrosion does not need to be painted or | | | | races, who seek its familiar rigidity good handling and |
| anodised, so it can be safely left bare to the | | | | low weight. Steel however, is prone to rust, so bikes |
| elements. It is however quite expensive. Having | | | | need to be kept well painted and dry. |
| proved itself in the aerospace and marine industries, | | | | Carbon fibre - versus the material of the future, a |
| most major bike manufacturers now have at least | | | | cheap raw material derived from crude oil. Carbon |
| one titanium model in their range. | | | | fibre frame is pass stiff, strong, and low weight. |
| Aluminium - the aluminium frames were very popular | | | | However its manufacture is labour intensive which |
| in the 1980s because it's light, has great shock | | | | means it may be a long time before these frames |
| absorption, and is quite resistant to corrosion. | | | | are mass produced. Carbon fibre can be produced in |
| However it is not particularly resistant to fatigue. | | | | tubes or a single moulded shape giving greater |
| Raw aluminium is very weak and that must be mixed | | | | variety to the overall bike frame. |