Mountain Bike Frame Materials

Steel is Real, But Titanium is Shiny: Ti, Carbon Fiber, Steel, Aluminum… What’s the Deal?

I’m sure you seen them; the highly polished Titanium Frames gleaming in the sun, or the retro small-tube steel frames. Maybe you’ve had the pleasure of riding on the plush where-you-want-it yet firm where-you-need-it carbon fiber, or have simply settled for aluminum. Each has a purpose and an advantage.

Steel – The Old Standard
Steel, also called cromoly, is what started it all. Back in the beginnings of mountain biking, and biking in general, steel was real and the only option when it came to frame materials. Today steel is a retro material in the biking community, but it is still often utilized in everything from Wal-Mart specials to thousand dollar and up frames. The reason why steel holds popularity is its’ flex: Steel can provide solid traction and tight handling, yet take the edge off of rock gardens and other nasty stuff. It is especially popular with hardtail mountain bikes as an alternative to aluminum, because aluminum is pretty stiff. Steel also means heavier frames and susceptibility to rust. If you get a scratch or chip through the paint it is a good idea to cover it up with some touch-up paint or even nail polish. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive and tough alternative to aluminum, that’ll give you a little bit more relief, steel is the way to go!

Aluminum – The Newish Standard
Aluminum is today’s standard frame material, although carbon fiber is quickly changing that. Aluminum is stiff; much more so than any other frame material actively in use. Because it is stiff it is great for ultimate power transfer. On the flipside sometimes the ride can be a bit harsh. Aluminum is also pretty cheap, durable and light. It has a high strength to weight ratio and can handle scratches and dents without immediate failure or rust. It is an exceptional all-around performer, but the lack of flex is leading people to pursue the next generation of frame materials… 

Carbon Fiber – The Future Standard
Carbon Fiber has become a standard among road bikes, and is quickly becoming a common choice for mountain bike frames. With carbon, manufacturers can alter the weave and the direction of the carbon fiber strips, to change the response of the frame. In other words they can design a frame that has vertical flex to make a smoother ride, but little to no lateral flex for tight handling. A carbon fiber frame will cost you more than aluminum or steel, but the price is quickly dropping. Unfortunately there is a downside to carbon: Direct impacts to the frame, like laying your bike down hard in a rock garden, can cause cracks and frame failure. Any damage through the resin topcoat should be inspected by your local bike shop before you take it on another ride. Some bike manufacturers now offer discount replacement programs because of this. Nevertheless a direct frame impact is harder to achieve than you might think, so don’t let this turn you away from carbon. It is an amazing material, and we will see many new advancements in carbon fiber technology in the coming years.

Titanium – Steel of Gods
Titanium is a frame material that very closely mimics steel. Ti offers slightly more flex over steel, and does not rust. You will rarely see a painted titanium frame: They are almost always polished to perfection. It’s flashy, cool, but it is also more expensive than steel and aluminum. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind look, solid performance, and do not like the carbon fiber option, Ti is an excellent choice!

Related Posts

• September 30, 2008 -- Angles and Sizes, and How They Affect Your Bike
• September 22, 2008 -- Mountain Cycle Rumble Limited Edition Frame Review